THINGS TO DO: The Lake Chelan Winterfest (1/11/2013–1/13 at Manson Bay Marina, 195 Wapato Way, Manson, WA, and 1/18–1/20 in downtown Chelan, 217 E Woodin Ave. Times and prices vary. 800.424.3526; lakechelanwinterfest.com). Two weekends of winter fun include an ice-sculpting competition, live music and snow tubing. Bundle up: Brews and ice collide in the ice…

BrowsePeruse one-of-a-kind consignment furnishings at Re-Feather Your Nest (623 Morris St.; 360.399.1057; re-featheryournest.com). Antique birdcages that double as outdoor candleholders, anyone? A few stores down, score some relics at Nasty Jack’s Antiques (103 Morris St.; 360.466.3209; nastyjacksantiques.com). Take a left on First Street and stop in The Wood Merchant (709 First St.; 360.466.4741; woodmerchant.com) for…

The first (and only) time Juneau native Katrina Heinz-Query remembers seeing the northern lights was on Halloween, when she was 10 years old. “The lights are out,” her mother shouted. They watched the ethereal green and yellow dance and swirl in a circle above them, like a laser show from outer space. “That Halloween was…

WHY: For the sixth annual Craft Bazaar (11/30–12/2. Times vary. Mighty Tieton Warehouse, 608 Wisconsin Ave.; 509.847.3034; mightytieton.com), which brings together nearly 60 Northwest artists and their wares, including caramels from Yakima-based Copper Pot and fine book arts from Tieton’s own Paper Hammer. The bazaar also hosts a chandelier show, where wildly imagined and hand-crafted…

TIMBER LODGE Orcas Island (Shown above.) Soak in the sweeping view in peace from the deck of this home; after all, you haven’t just rented a three-story, four-bedroom, 3,100-square-foot Pacific Northwest log cabin near Rosario, you’ve rented the 3 acres it sits on (including the waterfall!). The warm, very rustic and very spacious cabin is…

Waterfall StunnerTHE SALISH LODGE AND SPAPerched above the pounding drama of the 268-foot Snoqualmie Falls, just 30 minutes from Seattle, the Salish is a favorite among romantics; many a marriage has begun here, and it’s a repeat winner on most every “best places to kiss” list. Built in 1916, the inn got a major makeover…

Rain Forest BeautyLAKE QUINAULT LODGE(Shown above.) Built in 1926 in a wilderness rustic style reminiscent of classic lodges in the Adirondacks, the Lake Quinault Lodge is tucked into a temperate rain forest alongside a placid six-square-mile lake. Seemingly stuck in time from a better day, the lodge buzzes with activity throughout the year, but especially…

WHERE: Lake Quinault Lodge in Olympic National Park. WHY: For the 11th annual Quinault Rain Forest Mushroom Festival (10/19–10/21. $25–$30. Lake Quinault Lodge; 360.288.2900; olympicnationalparks.com) where fungi fanatics and beginner foragers can join in lectures and forest forays with mycology giants like UW’s Dr. Steven Trudell, or enjoy a ’shroom-centric menu and cooking demonstrations by…

WHY: For the second annual High Country Log Show (9/1-9/2, noon. Free. Runje Field, Roslyn Pioneer Park; 509.674.8161; cleelumroslyn.org). In honor of the area’s timberrr-ed history (and to raise money for local scholarships), you can cheer (or join) several log-tastic events, such as the obstacle pole buck or the speed climb, a skillful scamper up…

Here I sit on the veranda at Glacier Park Lodge, watching the ever restless clouds dance along the spires and humps of Glacier National Park, the whole scene lit by the warm rays of the late afternoon “golden hour.” I can relate to those fast-moving clouds; in fact I feel like one of them as…

Oregon and the Willamette Valley AVA have established their oeuvre with Pinot Noir, but their repertoire is growing. A newfound love affair with Oregon Chardonnay has received notice in The New York Times, and several dedicated winemaker evangelists, such as Rollin Soles of Argyle Winery, are touting the joys of Oregon sparkling wine. Southern Oregon,…

It’s the oldest and largest wine-growing region in the state—producing more than a third of the state’s wine—but Yakima Valley isn’t always at the top of the wine-getaway list. That’s because this area, so long on wine excellence, can be a little short on luxe accommodations and upscale eateries; it’s a farm town, after all….

It’s hard to find a prettier wine town than Walla Walla, the capital of the Walla Walla Valley AVA. With its restored turn-of-the-century brick buildings, well-stocked wine tasting rooms and upscale restaurants, the city of 30,000 makes an ideal base for exploring the region’s wine country, which includes some of our state’s best-known red wine…