Off the Highway

From iconic national parks and beaches to little nooks and corners that are often overlooked, Off the Highway is about places where man have made a conscious effort to preserve what is God-endowed. These are places that provide the needed respite from the busyness of life, the quiet moments to refresh, restore and recharge. They are worth preserving, conserving and protecting, even as we live in a fast-paced high-tech world.

Rattlesnake LakeOctober 22, 2021
Located 35 miles east of Seattle and just south of North Bend, this breathtaking 111-acre lake is part of a recreation area that includes the nearby Rattlesnake Ledge Trail, and picnic facilities. It also provides access to the Snoqualmie Valley Trail and the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail. The recreation area is especially popularContinue reading “Rattlesnake Lake”
Idylwood Beach ParkOctober 20, 2021
We stumbled upon this park while looking for a trail a few days ago and were very glad we decided to explore this 18-acre park that opens up to a wide vista of Lake Sammamish. It is autumn and no one is swimming, so we just walk along the 250-feet shoreline and take in theContinue reading “Idylwood Beach Park”
Hiram M Chittenden LocksJuly 5, 2021
The Hiram M Chittenden Locks is one the favorite spots of tourists and Seattle residents alike to watch boats entering the locks and also wildlife in the area. Operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers, the lock complex was the largest navigation facility in North America when it was dedicated on 4th July, 1917.Continue reading “Hiram M Chittenden Locks”
Cherry Blossoms at the University of WashingtonApril 27, 2021
The arrival of spring usually means one thing at the University of Washington – the eagerly awaited cherry blossom season. Students and visitors all over the Seattle suburbs flock to the university, and especially to the quadrangle, fondly known as the Quad, to view the blossoms. It is here that many spent their spring daysContinue reading “Cherry Blossoms at the University of Washington”
Tulip Festival Skagit ValleyApril 14, 2021
Every year, about 400,00 visitors come to Skagit Valley in April to soak in the stunning display of fields of blooming tulips. Located 60 miles north of Seattle, this area boasts hundreds of acres of blooming flowers scattered across farms throughout the valley. Hence the Tulip Festival is designed as a driving tour around farmsContinue reading “Tulip Festival Skagit Valley”
Washington Oaks State ParkFebruary 8, 2021
Sometime this year, we were at sunny Florida, visiting one of our favorite beaches – the beach at the Washington Oaks State Park at Palm Coast. While many visit the adjacent garden with its beautiful roses, it is the coquina beach and rocks resembling a mini Grand Canyon that makes a walk here exhilarating. AlongContinue reading “Washington Oaks State Park”