Camping - Newhalem, WA

We wrapped up summer 2013 with another camping trip to Newhalem, WA in August. This is located in the North Cascades National Park along side the Skagit river.

In the evening, went on the River Loop Trail and watched a ranger show. We went to the Ladder Creek Falls at night. It was so spooky to cross the foot suspension bridge with water gurgling underneath.

Newhalem Area Trails information here.

Skagit River - Newhalem, WA

Newhalem Campground, WA

Next morning, we visited the north cascades visitor center. It provides a lot of information about the mountain range, wildlife and history of this region.

North Cascades Visitor Center

North Cascades Visitor Center

We did the Ladder Creek Falls trail in the morning again and took a peek at the Skagit Hydroelectric Project situated there.

Foot suspension bridge to Ladder Creek Falls

Skagit Hydroelectric project

Camping - Nehalem Bay State Park and Cannon Beach, OR

After our camping at Cape Disappointment State Park, WA in 2011, we had been wanting to go there again. This summer we went to 'Nehalem Bay State Park' (this one is in OR) a little south of Cape Disappointment State Park. We camped there one night and stopped at Cannon Beach on our way back to WA.

This park is also by the beach. We could walk to the beach from our camp site. The beach was beautiful. Call me crazy, but I like the enigmatic and poignant Pacific Northwest beaches better than the hot, vibrant Florida beaches. 

The campsite had great facilities - water and electricity are hooked to each camp site. 

We would definitely go back here.

Nehalem Bay Beach, OR

Nehalem Bay Beach, OR

View point on the way to Cannon Beach from Nehalem Bay

Cannon Beach, OR

Road Trip - John Day Fossil Monument, OR

Beginning of July we went on a road trip to John Day Fossil Monument, OR. We stayed in a small town called John Day few miles east of the monument. From Seattle, we drove to Kennewick in Eastern Washington and then drove south from there. The drive from Kennewick to John day was an undulating terrain with multiple mountains and prairies. The monument is in the middle of nowhere.

The monument is divided into three geographically separate units spread across a vast area. Plant and animal fossils found here date back to 44 million years to the 'age of the mammals'. The Sheep Rock Unit has a paleontology center with fossils on display. I am amazed at the number of fossils that has been found here. This is probably the first time I have seen animal, plant fossils and so many geologically variant rock formations in the place it really happened and not in some museum. 

We managed to cover all three units in one day. The Park Trail map that you can get in the paleontology center, illustrates the different trails in each unit. We explored 2 or 3 in each of them. There were interpretive signs on some and some looked like work is in progress. It is a good idea to pack lunch as there are not much options to eat once you leave John Day.

Sheep Rock Unit

Clarno Unit

Clarno Unit

The painted hills unit was beautiful and its geology fascinating.

Painted Hills Unit

Painted Hills Unit

Painted Hills Unit

Painted Hills Unit

You can find more information about this place here. The next day we made our way back to WA - stopped at Mt Hood for a quick photo op and drove along the imposing Columbia River.

I want to visit Dinosaur National Park one summer soon.

Road Trip - Harrison Hot Springs and Hope BC, Canada

What a fun trip this was! We made this trip in May. We stayed in very curiously decorated vacation rental home near Hope, BC. The house had three levels, with bedrooms in all the levels. The attic was turned into bedroom for kids. The kids (and adults!) had a great time running up and down and discovering all the spaces. We went with 2 other families with kids. 

Vacation Rental home at Hope, BC

On the way to Hope, BC we visited Bridal Veil Falls and Harrison Hot Springs. The kids enjoyed the small trek up to the falls and enjoyed playing in the sand on Lake Harrison.

Bridal Veil Falls

Lake Harrison

The next day, we went on the Hells Gate Tram that takes people across the turbulent waters of the narrowest section of Frasier river. There is also a gift shop, cafe, education centre and a suspension bridge located there. The walk on the pedestrian bridge was exciting!

Hells Gate

After stopping for lunch in Hope, we headed to Othello Tunnels. Enjoyed an enthralling walk through the tunnels with stunning views of the canyon and the river. 

Othello Tunnels

Interesting Trivia - The movie 'Rambo First blood' has scenes shot in Hope as well as Othello Tunnels!

We drove to Vancouver on the way back to WA, to visit the Vancouver aquarium and that concluded the trip.

Vancouver Aquarium

Travel - Madurai and Courtallam, India

2013 started off with a trip to Madurai, for the weddings in the family.

We made a one day trip to Courtallam on impulse. It was my first time there. We visited the Main Falls, Five Falls and the Old Courtallam Falls. There was heavy overflow of water because of recent rains and hence people were asked not to be in the water at the main falls and the old Courtallam falls. There were still few people getting in Five Falls though.

Main Falls

Just Chilling!

And the monkeys - they were everywhere. I was terrified one of them was going to spring on me anytime. We stopped to buy ‘nungu’ and I had to rush inside the car to avoid the monkey attack!

Hitchhiking?!

Five Falls

Old Courtallam Falls

We also visited ‘Kadambavanam Resort’ near Madurai, one evening. We watched a beautiful sunset there.

Sunset at 'Kadambavanam Resort'

I liked the murals in the performance theater. We watched a performance, watched the ‘Ramayanam’ puppet show and ate at the buffet. Looked like there is still a lot more work to be done like parking and accessibility to the place.

Kadambavanam Resort

Kadambavanam Resort

I felt like the Mayil attam, Poikkal Kuthirai attam and the Melam are apt for outdoor festivities but sounded too loud and out of place when performed on stage. Maybe they can be improvised as plays? I also felt like the puppet show needs some fine tuning. It is a good effort and I hope they make improvements and are able uphold the maintenance.

Kadambavanam Resort