Gwyn and Ami

Gwyn and Ami We're Gwyn and Ami, and we're your guides to the Pacific Northwest and BEYOND! We're based in Spokane, Washington.
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We're a couple that shares USA travel inspiration, bucket list hikes, photography, and fun weekend itineraries.

The BEST backpacking spot in California! 🏕️If you’re looking for an EPIC adventure this summer then you need to add this...
06/03/2026

The BEST backpacking spot in California! 🏕️

If you’re looking for an EPIC adventure this summer then you need to add this Northern California backpacking destination to your bucket list! ⬇️

Castle Crags is one of the most beautiful spots to hike and backpack in Northern California. You’ll spend the night surrounded by epic granite spires, with amazing views of Mount Shasta! 🏔️

A visit here will honestly make you feel like you’ve been transported to the Italian Dolomites, but without the long (and expensive) plane trip! 👀✈️

Even if you don’t backpack, this is a GREAT spot for a challenging day hike! 🥾

Please be sure to leave no trace when visiting Castle Crags. This alpine environment is fragile. Be mindful of not crushing or picking plant life, and pack out EVERYTHING you pack in (including human waste — bring a WAG bag!).🌿

Comment “CASTLE CRAGS” and I’ll send you our guide to backpacking at this EPIC backpacking spot in California! 🔗

New here? We’re Gwyn and Ami. Based in the Pacific Northwest (📍 Spokane / Seattle), we share epic hikes, backpacking trips, and USA travel. Follow along for more adventure inspiration. 🧡

California backpacking trips | bucket list backpacking trip | California outdoor adventure | castle crags backpacking | backpacking at castle crags in California

06/02/2026

AMAZING tide pooling spot near Seattle! 🌊🦀

📍 Constellation Park

Located in West Seattle, this is one of the best places to go tide pooling near Seattle. We visited during a -1.8 ft low tide, which meant most of the tide pools were fully exposed… and there was SO much to see! 🌊

We spotted tons of sea stars, sea anemones, chitons, a sponge, baby kelp crabs, giant rock crabs, and our favorite find of the day… a tiny nudibranch 🥹

🧡 SAVE this post for your next Seattle adventure, and SEND it to someone who would love exploring tide pools!

✨ Name: Constellation Park Tide Pools
📍 Location: West Seattle
🌊 Pro tip: Check the NOAA tide charts before you go… lower tides = better tide pooling!
👟 Wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet
🅿️ Parking: Free street parking nearby
⚠️ Please tread lightly and step gently on the rocks. There’s delicate marine life living in the tide pools! If you touch anything, be extra gentle and use just one or two fingers.

New here? We’re Gwyn and Ami 👋🏼 Based in the Pacific Northwest (📍 Spokane / Seattle), we share the best hikes, weekend getaways, and hidden gems around Washington. FOLLOW along for more adventure inspiration! 🌲✨

| Summer in Seattle | what to do in Seattle

HAPPY PRIDE 2026! 🌈🧡Every year we get hundreds of ‘unfollows’ on June 1, which probably just means we’re not gay enough ...
06/01/2026

HAPPY PRIDE 2026! 🌈🧡

Every year we get hundreds of ‘unfollows’ on June 1, which probably just means we’re not gay enough the rest of the year… 😂

So, consider this your annual reminder! We’re not sisters or BBFs — we’re a couple, we’re married, and we’re q***r! 💍

May your June be full of rainbows, outdoor adventures, and kindness. And if you’re not part of the LGBTQ+ community, thank you for being a friend, and an ally. It truly means so much, especially these days. 🫶🏼

Happy Pride to one and all! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

PNW adventure travel couple | LGBTQ+ pride 2026 | hiking and backpacking couple

06/01/2026

EASY waterfall hike near Seattle! 🌿

If you’re looking for a short and beautiful waterfall hike near Seattle, you need to add this trail to your summer bucket list! 💦

Franklin Falls is a stunning waterfall that requires just a one mile hike (each way) to reach. The trail winds along a river and a canyon, and through a lush forest filled with ferns and old growth trees. 🌲

🧡 SAVE this to your Seattle summer bucket list, and SEND it to someone that would love this PNW waterfall hike!

✨ Name: Franklin Falls Trail ()
📍 Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
📏 Distance: 2 miles (round trip)
⛰️ Elevation gain: 340 feet
⚠️ This hike and parking lot gets BUSY, so I recommend visiting early or late in the evening.
🎟️ An America the Beautiful, Northwest Forest Service Pass, or $5 day pass is required. You can purchase a day pass at the trailhead.

Hi! We’re Gwyn and Ami 👋🏼. Based in the Washington, we share epic hikes, backpacking trips, and PNW weekend getaways. FOLLOW along for more adventure inspiration! 🏕️✈️

Pacific Northwest waterfall hikes | best summer hikes near Seattle | PNW summer hikes

05/28/2026

FREE summer activity near Seattle ⬇️ (AD)

📍 Juanita Bay Park + Juanita Beach Park

If you’re looking for something FREE and FUN to do this summer, add these two fantastic parks to your Seattle summer bucket list! 🏝️👙

Located on Kirkland on the shores of a Lake Washington, Juanita Bay Park is a hotspot for urban hiking and birding. Over 200 species of birds have been spotted here (including some resident bald eagles), and right now there are TONS of adorable baby ducklings. 🐣

Right next door, Juanita Beach Park is the PERFECT spot to enjoy a FREE public beach with picnic shelters, restrooms, and even SUP and kayak rentals. We brought our Park Vista so we could enjoy a picnic on the lawn after birding. The Park Vista is quick and easy to setup and super lightweight. It also has UPF 50+, which means we didn’t have to worry about reapplying sunscreen. ☀️

Comment “SUN SHADE” and I’ll send you the link to the Shibumi Park Vista shade. 🔗

Use code “GASummer” for 10% off orders $100+ (valid now through June 25, 2026)

Summer activities in Seattle | Seattle summer bucket list | summer in Washington state | free things to do in Seattle this summer

05/27/2026

$2 budget-friendly backpacking meal ⤵️

🍓 High protein strawberry oats

One serving has about 450 calories, 20 grams of protein, and 30% of your daily fiber. 🏕️ All for just $2!

RECIPE FOR EACH SERVING ⤵️

1/2 cup instant oats
1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp h**p hearts
1/4 cup powdered milk (or coconut milk)
1/2 tsp sugar
A pinch of cinnamon

Reconstitute with 3/4 cup boiling water and let sit for 15 minutes.

‼️ You can scale this up as needed. In this video I made enough for 8 servings.

Bonus: One serving has 11 grams of plant-based Omega-3 thanks to the chia and h**p!

I freeze dried a whole bag of Costco frozen strawberries using my home freeze dryer, which should last me all summer!

🧡 SAVE this recipe for your summer backpacking adventures and SEND this to a friend you think would love this recipe.

| backpacking meals | what to bring backpacking

05/27/2026

$2 budget-friendly backpacking meal ⤵️

🍓 High protein strawberry oats

One serving has about 450 calories, 20 grams of protein, and 30% of your daily fiber. 🏕️ All for just $2!

RECIPE FOR EACH SERVING ⤵️

1/2 cup instant oats
1/4 cup freeze-dried strawberries
2 tbsp chia seeds
2 tbsp h**p hearts
1/4 cup powdered milk (or coconut milk)
1/2 tsp sugar
A pinch of cinnamon

Reconstitute with 3/4 cup boiling water and let sit for 15 minutes.

‼️ You can scale this up as needed. In this video I made enough for 8 servings.

Bonus: One serving has 11 grams of plant-based Omega-3 thanks to the chia and h**p!

I freeze dried a whole bag of Costco frozen strawberries using my home freeze dryer, which should last me all summer!

🧡 SAVE this recipe for your summer backpacking adventures and SEND this to a friend you think would love this recipe.

COMMENT “strawberry oats” and I’ll send you a link to this home freeze dryer.

| backpacking meals | what to bring backpacking

Lush waterfall hike near Seattle! 🌿If you’re looking for a short, family friendly waterfall hike near Seattle, you need ...
05/27/2026

Lush waterfall hike near Seattle! 🌿

If you’re looking for a short, family friendly waterfall hike near Seattle, you need to add this stunning trail to your summer bucket list! 💦

Located near Snoqualmie Pass, Franklin Falls is a stunning waterfall that requires just a one mile hike (each way) to reach. The trail winds along a peaceful river through a lush forest filled with ferns. See below for hike details, and some tips for visiting. 🌲⬇️

🧡 SAVE this post to your Seattle summer bucket list, and SEND it to someone that would love this PNW waterfall hike!

✨ Name: Franklin Falls Trail ()
📍 Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest
📏 Distance: 2 miles
⛰️ Elevation gain: 340 feet
⚠️ This hike and parking lot gets BUSY, so I recommend visiting early.
🎟️ An America the Beautiful, Northwest Forest Service Pass, or $5 day pass is required.

Please pack out everything you pack in (including orange peels 🍊) and grab any trash you see along the trail! We packed out several snack bar wrappers, water bottles, and a hat over Memorial Day weekend. 🚮

New here? We’re Gwyn and Ami 👋🏼. Based in the Pacific Northwest (📍 Spokane / Seattle), we share epic hikes, backpacking trips, and PNW weekend getaways. Follow along for more adventure inspiration! 🏕️✈️

Pacific Northwest waterfall hikes | best summer hikes near Seattle | PNW summer hikes

05/26/2026

Beautiful wildlife + nature spot in Washington ⬇️

📍 James T. Slavin Conservation Area (near Spokane, WA)

If you’re looking for one of the best places in Washington to see wildlife and get outside, this spot deserves a place on your bucket list! 🌿🦅

Located on over 600 acres near Spokane, the James T. Slavin Conservation Area is an incredible place for birding, wildlife viewing, and easy nature walks. Over 120 species of birds have been spotted here, and the trails themselves are even named after different bird species! 🦢

We hiked the Quail Loop Trail (just 1.5 miles). The trail takes you through open meadows, pine forests filled with wildflowers like balsamroot and glacier lilies, and along a peaceful wetland and lake area.

Along the way we saw a bald eagle, ducks, and red-winged blackbirds! 🌼

If you’re planning a visit, please hike only on designated trails, keep dogs leashed, and respect the wildlife so this area stays protected for everyone to enjoy. 🤍

🧡 If you’re new here, we’re Gwyn and Ami and we share some of the best hikes, activities, and weekend getaways in Washington. FOLLOW along for more Washington inspiration! 🏔️

| what to do near Spokane | summer in Spokane

05/21/2026

California’s Most UNDERRATED Weekend Getaway (AD) 🍷🌿

📍 Tri-Valley, California

✨ Just 35 miles from San Francisco, Tri-Valley might be one of the most underrated destinations in California with charming downtowns, scenic hikes, wineries, and serious Stars Hollow vibes!

🧡 SAVE these can’t-miss things to do in Tri-Valley ⤵️

1️⃣ Hike to Little Yosemite 💦 for a crystal-clear cascading waterfall hidden in the hills. One of the prettiest spots in the East Bay!

2️⃣ Wander the oak-covered trails at Sunol Regional Wilderness 🌳 The rolling hills and old-growth oak forests are beautiful

3️⃣ Enjoy sweeping hilltop views at Morgan Territory ⛰️ My favorite hike in the area! You’ll have valley views for miles.

4️⃣ Explore charming downtown Pleasanton ☕ Grab coffee at and don’t miss Sri Surabhi cow sanctuary where you can actually cuddle adorable long-eared cows 🐮

5️⃣ Sip wine in Livermore, one of California’s oldest wine regions! I recommend a tasting at followed by soft serve from the iconic drive-through 🍦

6️⃣ Spend a morning in Danville which is easily one of the cutest downtowns in the Bay Area. Make brunch reservations at .bayarea… the lemon ricotta pancakes are amazing. 🤤

🧡 COMMENT “Tri Valley Guide” and I’ll send you our full weekend itinerary with even more recommendations!

| things to do in Tri-Valley California | what to do in Livermore | what to do in Danville | what to do in Pleasanton | Tri-Valley travel guide

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Basket Butte Rd., Idleyld Park, OR 97447
Idleyld Park, OR
97447

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