outdoors

The price for a Washington state Discover Pass would rise by $15 later this year, under a bill headed for Gov. Bob Ferguson’s desk.

The northwest is full of recreational opportunities. One of those spots is the East Moscow Mountain trail. NWPB’s Rachel Sun takes us with her during an excursion this summer.

Moss drapes over trees in Olympic National Park like the table dressings of fairies and the blankets of sprites. This place inspires writers — from amateurs to poets to public radio reporters — and welcomes visitors each year into its majesty.Our national parks tend to do that; be places of awe-inspiring beauty, great adventures through bushwhacking and overnights surrounded by stars, or casual days trips on paved roads for vehicle passengers to marvel at the great outdoors from the comfort of a sedan.

Emerald LaFortune grew up being lured into the wilderness by her parents, who placed little pieces of candy in the middle of hiking trails to guide her…

Emerald LaFortune grew up being lured into the wilderness by her parents who placed little pieces of candy in the middle of a hiking trail to guide her…

For Corey Dembeck, there is something magical about Palouse Falls State Park. “It’s the Grand Canyon of Washington,” said Dembeck, Olympia resident and founder of Sojournlist, a travel blog.

Whether you recently adopted a pet during the pandemic or are a long-time pet owner, there are things you can do while out and about in the Northwest's hiking season to prepare for warm-weather adventures with your pooch.

Ambreen Tariq's new children's book, Fatima's Great Outdoors is a story about an Indian immigrant family's first time exploring the outdoors, and it's as much a story about curiosity and adventure as it is about trying to assimilate as an immigrant in this country. Tariq says Fatima's story is her own story. "Every moment in that book is real. Every snippet, every story."

As we find ourselves in the coldest, darkest days of the year during the worst-case surge yet, it can feel like a herculean task just to take a daily walk around the block. Some studies found that even little five-minute outdoor excursions can benefit our health — but 20 to 60 minutes is even better.

"Despite 'Leave No Trace' ethics, there are so many white fingerprints on public lands that it’s like a setting for a CSI episode. Ebey’s Landing, a national historic reserve, is no exception," Claudia Lawrence writes in this opinion piece first published by Crosscut.