Happy Holidays Pacific Northwest Style

With long, dark nights here in the Upper Left Corner USA (the Lower 48, apologies to Alaska), we celebrate with plenty of holiday lights and savor time outdoors.

While I love holiday gatherings with family and friends to enjoy good food, cheer, and maybe music, for me it's really about the outdoors (surprise!). Whether it's on skis, snowshoes, or just walking, fresh air and exercise keeps us energized and out of hibernation mode (which is easy to fall into with only about 8 hours of daylight this time of year).

When in Seattle, early 1.2-mile walks to tea/coffee with the regulars at Preserve & Gather in the rain, frosty chill, or occasional clear skies get me going on dark mornings. In early December, we walk around Green Lake in north Seattle for the annual Pathway of Lights.

Sunrise walk to tea.

But I and many here are drawn to the mountains. Although we rarely get snow in the lowlands west of the Cascades anymore, we can get our snow fix in just an hour or two drive away.

Icicle Creek Canyon walk.

Early morning brought several inches of fresh snow outside Leavenworth recently.

So we head to the hills, lush forests, or ocean beaches, and get outside.

Frosty winter morning, Washington coast

Hurricane Ridge

Then we escape inside for a hot drink and perhaps a good book by a fire, which is very hygge (as the Danish would say.)

 

For me, it's tea.

Maybe you like it busy and bustling, or maybe you prefer quiet. Whatever, I hope your find your own authenticity amidst the noise this season. 

And, if you're a true Northwesterner at heart like me, I hope you find yourself outside as much as possible.

So here's wishing you and yours a happy holiday season. Holiday cheers!

Happy trails and thanks for visiting Pacific Northwest Seasons! 

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