You see, hipness has eluded us of late. Somewhere in between the disposable diapers and humming along to our daily dose of Thomas the Tank Engine, we just lost it. And we were all too starkly reminded of this fact the second we pulled into the parking lot of the Jupiter Hotel. I turned to my husband, who was behind the wheel of our 1987 Volvo station wagon with the “Baby on Board” sign on the back window, and I said, “Um, honey. We’re not this cool.”

The Jupiter is a remodeled, suped-up TravelLodge in a close-in urban area in the northeast. At first it reminded me of another hipped-up travellodge we’d stayed at in L.A. on Hollywood Blvd a few years back called The Vibe. Fortunately in the end the Jupiter is a far better accommodation on many levels. (Don’t stay at The Vibe in L.A. unless you are 22 years old. Or wish you were.)

Upon close inspection, the Jupiter exhibits some fraying around the edges, but decent modern decor and unique touches really help it along so you don’t really notice or mind. To be clear, though, the Jupiter is not quite on the same level of “niceness” as, say, the Hotel Modera or even the Ace Hotel, which offer rooms in the same price range this time of year.

Folks come here for the cool vibe, live music at the Doug Fir Lounge connected to the hotel, and the party atmosphere. As far as I could tell, everyone was having a really great time. And despite the fact that we’re a family with a small child, and prefer to hit the sack somewhere around 9pm, so were we.

There are elements of this hipster-laden, boutique hotel that were surprisingly kid-friendly. Take your hotel room door, for example. They’ve painted it with chalkboard paint, and provide several fresh sticks of colorful chalk so that you may have at it. Sure, some patrons undoubtedly use the chalkboard medium for scoring their drinking games or composing haiku. My 16-month used it to draw lines. Lots and lots of lines.

There’s more. As a budget traveler, room service is typically not even in my vocabulary. The Jupiter offers really affordable room service from the Doug Fir restaurant next door, and the menu is fabulously complete with kid-friendly items like grilled cheese and root beer floats. This came in handy our second night there when a cranky baby and pouring rain outside combined to make stepping out for dinner a seemingly impossible task. Plus, Vacation was on the tube, and it had just started.

One joy of waking up at the Jupiter is the promise of strong, freshly-brewed Stumptown coffee available in the lobby. This beats in-room, flavorless coffee-in-a-bag any day. Both mornings we stayed here, this first cup was quickly followed by a second over a delicious breakfast at the adjacent Doug Fir restaurant, where every meal (including our first night’s dinner) was a total hit. Their corner booth makes a terrific spot for people-watching.  (Aside–my people-watching notes from this booth include two observations: (1) Morrissey’s haircut is back in fashion, and (2) if you like a bloody mary with your eggs over easy in the a.m., you’ll be free of judgment at the Doug Fir.)

One last family tip: request a room away from the lounge when you book your room. We were on an upper floor, well away from the lounge, and were never kept awake by the noise or parties as I’d feared we would be. Still, this can be an issue for some of the rooms, so earplugs are provided on the nightstand (along with a condom, btw.) We have white noise on our iPod and there’s an iPod plugin on the nightstand, another convenience that could come in handy with the kiddos.

The room rates at the Jupiter run about $110 – $160, and are too steep for what you get. I think a reasonable rate for this hotel would be $75 – $100. There are ways you can secure a better rate. One is their advance pay option–reserve and pay 21 days in advance of your stay and get 15% off. (The downside is your reservation is non-refundable.) Booking your room through Priceline will also shave about $20 off the rate quoted on the hotel’s website. And, in the unlikely scenario you find yourself in the vicinity of the Jupiter in the middle of the night with nowhere to stay, you can check into a room after midnight and pay $59 (provided rooms are available, of course).

Info: (503) 230-9200 or check out their website.

Note: We were charged the discounted “media rate” the two nights we stayed at this hotel.

Last week, I learned that they’re seriously considering deep cuts to the agency called Washington State Tourism. In some proposals, the cuts are so deep that the agency would be eliminated; the Senate supplemental budget includes a more than $3 million cut that would close the office of tourism through 2010, at least.

When I learned of this, I was floored. Let’s talk about tourism in Washington state for just a moment, shall we?

Last year, tourists spent $14.2 billion in Washington. That was $1.2 billion less than in 2008, a sign of the recession and the “staycation” trend, no doubt. But still – $14.2 billion. In the Seattle area alone, tourism employs over 60,000 people.  Statewide, tourism provides 147,600 jobs — nearly 4 percent of all jobs in the state. Statewide, tourism generated about $958 million in local and state tax revenues.

With the nationwide economy poised to begin its long road ahead to recovery, it would behoove our state to make smart investments in areas that can benefit quickly from that economic recovery as it happens, especially in areas that can immediately bring in new revenues and create jobs statewide. Statewide tourism tops that list, and it is senseless to make deep cuts to it, and plain idiotic to eliminate the engines for it.

What can you do? Contact your legislators, and do it today, as soon as you read this. Find your legislator here. It’s easy to write a quick message to them.  Tell them how much tourism matters to our state and how short-sighted it is to bite the hand that feeds us. We need tourism to grow our state’s revenue and get out of this budget hole–it’s that simple. Do it for the independent B&Bs nestled among vineyards of the Yakima Valley, the bike rental shops along the shores of Long Beach and the art vendors at Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

Thank you.

Last year, volunteers with the Washington Trails Association (WTA) logged over 90,000 hours building and maintaining hiking trails on public lands. Many of those generous volunteers spent their vacation–yes their vacation–helping these trails. WTA hosts Volunteer Vacations all over the state.

Inexpensive? Check. Beautiful location? Check. Totally unique? Check. Incredibly rewarding? Check!

Imagine taking a Volunteer Vacation to a place like this: the trail to Hart Lake in the Glacier Peak Wilderness near Lake Chelan.

WTA’s Volunteer Vacations are extended trail maintenance work parties, lasting a whole week.  The first of 42 Volunteer Vacations scheduled for this summer begins March 27 on the Hoh Rainforest Trail in Olympic National Park. Enormous towering trees, rich moss-covered forest canopy, perhaps some dappled sunlight and the gentle calling of the Hoh River. Does it get any better?

So, what can you expect on a WTA Volunteer Vacation? There will be great meals, chats by the campfire, and llamas for companions. You might find yourself lingering over your lunch on a sun-drenched granite ridge top, awed by the natural scenery around you. Maybe you’ll form some friendships with kindred spirits that last a lifetime. Perhaps you will encounter a wild animal you have longed to observe, or make great strides in your plant identification skills. Oh, and you’ll probably want to hike a little, too. They give you a whole day off just to do that, like these folks did on a Volunteer Vacation to the Upper Stehekin Valley in North Cascades National Park.

And you will most definitely be making a difference, a contribution to hiking trails that will serve generations of hikers to come. That’s right, there’s some work involved– the “volunteer” part. Your crew might be responsible for building a new bridge across a stream, or restoring a damaged alpine meadow. You might be logging out a trail littered with downed trees after winter storms, or building a rock wall to support a slumping portion of trail. And after all that work each day, you’ll be ready to eat.

It’s a real community out there on a WTA Volunteer Vacation, and everyone contributes. In the morning and in the evening, everyone takes turns sharing in-camp chores like helping the cook, washing dishes and pumping water. But there will be plenty of time left over to sleep under the stars, eat and eat some more, explore, and relax.

No prior trail experience is necessary to take a Volunteer Vacation with WTA. There are variety of trips to choose from. Some are strenuous (vacationers backpack in to the work site carrying their own tent, sleeping bag and other personal gear.) Some are car camps.  WTA packs in the food, tools and other supplies on horses or llamas. A Volunteer Vacation with WTA costs only $165 ($125 for WTA members) and includes all your food, tools, and training.

So, where will you be spending your summer vacation?

More information: http://www.wta.org/trail-news/volunteer/vacations

Volunteer Vacations for youth: http://www.wta.org/trail-news/volunteer/youth

All photos are courtesy of Washington Trails Association.

By now you’ve probably heard about the wildly-popular cedar cabins for rent at Cama Beach State Park on Washington’s Camano Island. They’re such a hot commodity that if you don’t already have reservations to rent one this summer, you probably won’t be going. A Cama Beach employee recently posted on Northwest Cheapsleep’s Facebook page that “there are only a handful of one night stays during the summer left.” Hmmm….I guess now is the time to book your autumn or winter 2010 stay at Cama Beach State Park! Note that rates just inched up once again; 2010 rental rates range from $23 – $95 per night.

For those of you lucky enough to have an upcoming trip planned to Cama Beach, we’ve got some tips to help you make the most of your cabin stay. My sister Lesley just returned from a quiet, peaceful three-night stay in a waterfront cabin, and has shared her impressions and practical tips with us. Thanks, Lesley!

My overall impression of the cabins at Cama Beach State Park? They live up to the hype. This is an incredible escape during the off-season months.  The value is simply sensational (our deluxe waterfront cabin was just $41 a night–about half the price we’d have paid in the summer months).

This is not luxury living; a basic cabin stay at Cama Beach is just a notch or two up from a deluxe camping trip, but the amenities sure feel like luxuries during the winter months compared to winter camping:  an actual roof over your head, heat, on-demand hot water, electricity, and refrigeration. If you’re looking to keep a few more of the conveniences of home, the Deluxe cabins offer a great value at just a few additional dollars per night over the Basic cabins.  In addition to all that the Basic cabins provide, the Deluxe cabins have a bathroom with a shower, a phone, and internet access. 

We were blessed with mild and mostly dry weather during our February visit. We also enjoyed plenty of solitude–there were only a handful of other visitors there during our stay. The cards and board games we brought along came in handy, and we spent a lot of time sitting outside, taking in the views and the water, or stargazing at night.  Even in poor weather, we would’ve had an excellent vantage point for the view; the kitchen table looks out the front window right onto the beach. I wished there were a covered front porch large enough to sit on, though.

The price of these cabins literally doubles in the summer months, which slightly diminishes the value for me.  The park is far more crowded then, too.  Personally, I’d rather camp in a tent in the summer. I think Cama Beach is particularly attractive to families in the summer because  your kids will have other kids to play with, the Park sponsors educational programs, and you can grill out. And to stay on the beach an hour from Seattle, what more can you ask for, really?

If you go, here are a few practical tips.

• There are no cars allowed near the cabins. You’ll park your car at one of several parking lots up on a hill above the waterfront. There is a shuttle van available during “business” hours (ending at 6pm) that will cart you and your stuff down to the beach.  To get the shuttle, you may have to call a number provided to you in your check-in materials, and it will pick you up at the upper parking lot with your luggage and take you to your cabin.
• Will you arrive after 6pm? Be prepared to carry your luggage down a steep, possibly wet hill, possibly in the dark, to your cabin.  Luckily, we didn’t pack a lot and were able to fit everything in the provided cart (kind of like a giant wheelbarrow) and on our backs, but we were tempted to bring more, which would’ve required two trips.
• Be sure to bring warm bedclothes and warm pajamas in the winter and shoulder seasons.  Though there is electric heat in the cabin, the heat is in the living space and in the bathroom; there is no heat wall unit in the bedroom.  And, the cabin is not insulated in any way, as far as I could tell.
• You may want to bring earplugs to sleep, especially during a busy time of year.  The walls are just thin wood and actually seem to resonate the noises inside.  We were clearly able to hear our neighbors in the cabin next door as they talked, walked, and scooted chairs across the floor.  Also, keep this in mind when you are making noise yourself.
• You are expected to clean the cabin upon leaving, which includes wiping off surfaces and sweeping and mopping the floor.  Be prepared and allow time to do this.  Cleaning supplies are provided.
• If you don’t want to use a microwave to cook, you are limited to eating cold food, grilling outside, using your campstove outside (though there aren’t a lot of places to set it up), or being more creative.  That’s right – the cabins have no stove. We brought our trusty electric tea kettle and were making tea and coffee, instant oatmeal, instant soup, etc.  There are some strict rules about appliances you are able to bring. Though electric kettles are not on the forbidden list, they may be looked down upon.  We kept ours under wraps! There is a rather large refrigerator in each unit with a real freezer.
• What is there to do? There are board games available to check out at the Welcome Center. In the summer, there are boating workshops, boat rentals, horseshoe rings, and educational programs for kids.
• Camano Island State Park next door is a very beautiful excursion if Cama Beach State Park is feeling too limited.  The beach there is much longer and there are plenty of hiking trails.

Contact Cama Beach State Park at (360) 387-1550, or visit their website.

Vancouver is chock full 0f favorite things– fabulous ethnic restaurants on Denman, the Museum of Vancouver, Stanley Park, the Granville Island Public Market… just to name a few. One of my favorite things in Vancouver are the False Creek foot ferries you take to get from the downtown area to Granville Island. These mini-ferries hold about 20 people, and look a little bit like toys.Aren’t they cute?

For more great travel photos from the Pacific Northwest and far beyond, check out Photo Friday at Delicious Baby.

First, check out my self-proclaimed sappiest post ever from last year, Recipe for a Romantic Getaway – Five Key Ingredients. Then, choose your romantic destination below from my nine Northwest favorites. And don’t forget to send me a thank you postcard! Oh, and can someone please forward this post to my husband? Thanks

Victoria (British Columbia)

Why it’s romantic: Honeymooners flock here for good reason–fabulous parks and museums, charming neighborhoods, high tea, cozy restaurants, and flower gardens that bloom all year long. All of this in a postcard-perfect city that hugs a charming harbor and faces the gorgeous snow-capped Olympic Mountains.

Where to stay: Romantic bed and breakfast are the lodging of choice in Victoria. Carberry Gardens is one of the best, and it’s affordable (for Victoria). The B&B is housed in a beautifully-restored 1907 heritage home near Craigdarroch Castle and Antique Row. $100 – $175 Canadian. Contact: www.carberrygardens.com or 1.877.595.8906.

Mount Adams (Washington)

Why it’s romantic: Snow! Trout Lake makes a great base for cross-country ski trips from SnoParks on the Mount Adams Ranger District, and an easy getaway for folks in Portland and the Columbia Gorge.

Where to stay: Enjoy truly warm hospitality and wake up to a delicious breakfast of huckleberry pancakes at Kelly’s Trout Creek Bed and Breakfast, where the recent economic downturn has lowered rates to $50 – $70 a night. Your dip in the hot tub beside a roaring creek will relieve tired muscles from your excursion. Contact: (509) 395-2769 or www.kellysbnb.com.

Lasqueti Island (British Columbia)

Why it’s romantic: This is where eco-conscious romantics can really get away from it all. In fact, just getting to the Gulf Island of Lasqueti (foot passenger ferry only) is part of the fun. The island’s 400 self-sufficient residents live simply and sustainably, from growing their own food to chopping their own wood. Lasqueti lies about 50 miles northwest of Vancouver in the Strait of Georgia.

Where to stay: Snuggle up in the simple, new cabin at Squitty Bay Oceanfront Bed and Breakfast where the ocean view is amazing, the wood-fired sauna is hot and your ecological footprint is low. $110 Canadian. Contact: 250.333.8566 or visit their website.

Willamette Valley Wine Country (Oregon)

Why it’s romantic: This lush valley of green, rolling hills dotted with oak trees hosts patchwork vineyards that produce wonderful wines like pinot noir and pinot gris. You’ll also find lots of hazelnuts, fresh fruit, and charming farms. Take a romantic hike in the nearby Coast Range. Small towns like McMinville and Dundee are great for antique shopping and have surprisingly excellent restaurants, many featuring Northwest seasonal cuisine and serving local wines.

Where to stay: There’s no place like Gahr Farm, situated on a 350-acre conservation farm and forest, which is managed as a native plant and wildlife reserve. Accommodations are two private, charming guest cottages, one that is built to be “green” (and is, in fact, painted green) and uses low-energy. $80 – $115. Contact: www.gahrfarm.com or 503.472.6960.

Methow Valley (Washington)

Why it’s romantic: Recreation lovers will swoon over the plethora of outdoor pursuits to enjoy together, from hiking trails to cross-country skiing to river rafting.

Where to stay: A bed and breakfast just one block from Twisp’s main street, the Methow Valley Inn has modest-size rooms that are well-kept and nicely detailed. $89 – $119. Contact: (509) 997-2253 or www.methowvalleyinn.com.

Olympic Coast (Washington)

Why it’s romantic: Ponder the longevity of the rainforest’s ancient trees. Explore seastacks and count seastars as you stroll hand-in-hand on the scenic coast of Olympic National Park. It’s a wild coastline framed by mossy, wet rainforest– need I say more?

Where to stay: Indulge in warm hospitality and a fantastic breakfast delivered to your room at the Misty Valley Inn near Forks. $95 – $130. Contact www.mistyvalleyinn.com or 1.877.374.9389

Crater Lake (Oregon)

Why it’s romantic: Sheer proximity to the deepest lake in the U.S. is sure to deepen your love. Snow is also deep and generous here for great snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Where to stay: West of Crater Lake is the Union Creek Resort, where simple cabins set in the Rogue River National Forest provide a cozy, rustic backdrop to your romantic getaway. Some cabins have full kitchens, or eat at the cafe at the lodge. $54 – $130 Contact: www.unioncreekoregon.com or 1.866.560.3565.

Central Coast (Oregon)

Why it’s romantic: The Central Coast boasts dramatic seaside bluffs of basalt looming over beaches and tidepools waiting to be explored. And when it comes to making out, there is no soundtrack more romantic than the pounding Oregon surf against these bluffs.

Where to stay: Ocean Haven in Yachats is perched on a particularly scenic stretch of coastline. Big corner windows give way to panoramic ocean views. Beach blankets and walking sticks are provided for your beach ramblings, and comfortable beds, a beautiful tiled shower, and a well-stocked library of nature books await you upon your return— all lovely touches that make Ocean Haven an extra special place to stay. $95 – $165. Contact: www.oceanhaven.com or 541.547.3583

Sunshine Coast (British Columbia)

Why it’s romantic: One of the most stunningly scenic coastlines in the Northwest draws lovers to the Sunshine Coast’s sheltered bays fringed with fir-scented forests. Plus, the 100-mile coastline enjoys more sunny days than anywhere else in western British Columbia.

Where to stay: For the best view from a hot tub anywhere, you must book the beautiful suite at the Starfish Studio Bed and Breakfast in Sechelt. $115 – $149 Canadian. Contact: www.starfishstudiobb.com or 604.885.7112.

Now, it’s your turn! What’s your favorite romantic destination in the Northwest, and where should we sleep when we go there?

Bald eagles numbering in the hundreds gather along the Upper Skagit River from late December through February to feast on the tens of thousands of chum salmon returning up the river to their spawning grounds. The spectacle of eagles perched on trees like Christmas decorations is worth the trip, even if you’re not a complete bird nerd like I am. There are a few ways to go about seeing them, by car (click here for a map of promising locations to stop and look for them) or by boat (you can go on a guided tour or on your own, as I did with a friend who owns a raft.)

If you go, you’ll want a place to stay the night. Accommodations are limited in this area, which is surprising considering the tourism traffic it gets from visitors to North Cascades National Park. Because the lodging is limited, there is little competition and few real bargains.

I’ve got a few good places to tell you about, but first I must disclose something. I am a vegetarian. And it just so happens that two of the best affordable sleeps in the upper Skagit Valley serve up sides of cattle with their rooms.  My fondness for four-legged creatures doesn’t stop me from enjoying a cow once in a while… as long as its from a window as it roams free in the field beyond.  When I see buffalo, elk and ostrich on the menu at dinner, I usually just move on to the pie list. (I’ve enjoyed pie, only pie, for dinner a number of times.) This is all to say that if you’re a vegetarian and have issues making friends with a calf that’s going to be veal parmigiana a few weeks down the line, well then you might want to pass on these places.

Now about those buffalo. I have a friend Jodie from Australia who is living in Seattle for a few years with her husband and daughter (and enjoying many weekend getaways in the process). She and her husband love to hike, and so a few months back took advantage of some rare sunny days and hit the trails of the Upper Skagit Valley, using the Buffalo Run Inn in Marblemount as a base.  “We enjoyed our stay there. Our room, the bear room or #5, was quite large and had a comfortable bed and kitchenette. Very nice room for the price. The complimentary continental breakfast had lots of options and was available early enough to get in a full day of hiking. For an even cheaper deal, bunkhouse accommodations are also available.” Jodie told me they spent an entire lazy afternoon near the river in Newhalem just watching the spawning salmon. “Our toddler was fascinated!” Another day they hiked the enchanting Thunder Creek Trail, then took advantage of the Skagit Valley bounty of berries. “Each day of hiking was capped off with a delicious shake or ice cream from the Cascadian Farm organic fruit stall.” The Buffalo Run Inn has rooms $50 – $90 a night. Online reservations only: www.buffaloruninn.com.The Buffalo Run Restaurant next door features adventure meats from the owner’s nearby ranch, including elk, ostrich and-you guessed it-buffalo. They prepare fabulous homemade pies, though fortunately for vegheads like me, they have a hearty vegetarian menu as well. By the way, if you’re wondering about the buffalo… Jodie tells me they enjoyed the buffalo stroganoff, and it was delicious.

My favorite Skagit sleep is Ovenell’s Heritage Inn in Concrete. It’s a B&B in the main house, though I have only stayed in the cabins which run $135 – $145 – a bit higher than the accommodations I typically recommend here. They sleep four, though, so go with friends and split the cost, or bring the kids – this is a working farm and they’ll love being up close to the animals. The lovely pine log cabins have full kitchens, woodstoves and high vaulted ceilings. Evidently a good deal of their loyal customers at the inn are loyal customers of the beef, too. When we arrived, we were asked if we wanted to put in an order for the Maine-Anjou cattle, and we respectfully declined. But again, if this is your thing, it’s supposedly delicious, and I can vouch that the cattle are lovingly raised! And, my pumpkin bread recipe comes from the owner of this place… it’s the best and I’ve been making her recipe for years. Info: www.ovenells-inn.com or call (360) 853-8494.

For a decent really cheap sleep in the upper Skagit, check out Eagles Nest Motel in Concrete. It comes solidly recommended from a friend who routinely crashes here after long backpacking hikes in the Cascades, and rates are around $50. Call (360) 853-8662.

Can’t get enough of the North Cascades? Check out www.experiencewilderness.org for local hikes and much more.

Skagit eagle photo by armadilo60. Cabin at Ovenell’s Inn by mhowry.

Geotourism is defined as a form of travel that aims to sustain or enhance the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage and the well-being of its residents. In fact, the term was first coined by National Geographic, and they remain a strong proponent of this concept today. And thanks to their new partnership with Experience Washington and Travel Oregon, geotourism has arrived in the Central Cascades!

Check it out at www.thecentralcascades.com. There you’ll find an interactive map guide to the 446 “geotourism locations” throughout the Central Cascades region. Each location fits into one of seven themes that help to define the character of the Central Cascades. Explore archaeological sites, scenic trails, wineries, wildlife habitats, places to eat and drink, lodging and agricultural sites. You’ll also find a downloadable map that looks beautiful but is not terribly useful on the computer screen – if you want one of the geotourism maps to take with you on your travels, order one to be sent to you (it’s $5 for shipping).

The sheer amount of fun things to do and experience on this map is mind-blowing, and all of the geotourism locations were nominated by Central cascades residents and visitors. I was particularly excited to see a favorite hiking destination of mine, the Goat Rocks Wilderness, featured as a geotourism location in Washington; I nominated it for consideration back when this project was just getting off the ground.

Scanning the list of 43 lodgings on the map, I couldn’t help but wonder what makes a lodging geotouristic? Which kinds of lodgings enhance the geographical character of the Central Cascades–its environment, culture and heritage? Places like Carson Mineral Hot Springs Resort ($75/night) in Carson, WA, where the mineral water from nearby springs is thought to have healing properties.

Or the Cowboy Tree Inn in Silver Lake, OR ($75 / night) where 30 oz sirloin steaks remind you that you’re staying at what was historically the halfway point on a popular cattle trail.

In Wolf Creek, Oregon is the Wolf Creek Inn ($75 – $105), a place I’ve been eager to check out for this blog. Opened in 1883, Wolf Creek Inn is the oldest continuously operated hotel in the Pacific Northwest. A neat little fact I learned from the geotourism map is that Jack London completed his novel Valley of the Moon while staying at the Wolf Creek Inn. According to the geotourism map,”it was an important stop on the 16-day stagecoach journey from San Francisco to Portland, and the Wolf Creek Inn has housed practically every important person found in the Northwest during the early history of Oregon, include Hollywood stars such as Clark Gable, Carol Lombard and Orson Welles, looking for refuge.” As of this writing, the link to the Wolf Creek Inn’s website on the geotourism map is incorrect; the correct url is www.historicwolfcreekinn.com.

More geotourism fun at www.thecentralcascades.com.

This blog post was adapted from my original post on the Central Cascades Geotourism project that appeared on The Signpost Blog at Washington Trails Association.