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.

We're a couple that shares USA travel inspiration, bucket list hikes, photography, and fun weekend itineraries.

09/10/2026

ICONIC train ride on the Oregon Coast! 🚂🌊

🚂 Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad
📍 Garibaldi to Rockaway Beach, OR

This 100-year-old steam engine offers a relaxing 30-min ride with panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, coastal forests, and wetlands.

You can sit back in an open-air car to watch the steam engine, or ride in one of the historic vintage indoor cars.

Here’s why it’s worth the trip ⤵️

🕰️ Ride a steam engine that just turned 100 last year!
🌊 Stunning views of the Pacific & Tillamook Coast towns
🦀 Cute seaside shops in Rockaway Beach
🌲 Forests & wetlands along the route
📖 Learn about the Oregon coast railroad history as you ride

💡 Pro tip: Start in Garibaldi, ride north to Rockaway Beach, shop at the local stores, and catch the train back later in the day.

🚂 SEND this to someone who would love this adventure!

🧡 FOLLOW Gwyn and Ami Manser | PNW + USA adventure travel for more FREE Pacific Northwest adventures guides and itineraries!

Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad Tillamook Coast | what to do on the Oregon coast | what to do in Tillamook

09/09/2026

The most scenic fall bike trail in Washington 🍁🚲

📍 Olympic Discovery Trail
Port Angeles, Washington

🧡 SEND this to someone you’d love to ride this trail with

The Olympic Discovery Trail, located in Port Angeles, Washington was recently rated one of the best scenic bike trails in the U.S. by the New York Times! ✨

We rented e-bikes from Discover E Bike in downtown Port Angeles. They shuttled us to the starting point near Sequim, WA and we spent the day riding back to Port Angeles along the trail.

This trail has stunning views of the Salish Sea, passes by quaint farm stands, and has plenty of places to eat along the way. 🚴🏽‍♀️

We biked 34 miles of the trail’s total 135 miles, which honestly felt like a breeze on our e-bikes!

🧡 FOLLOW Gwyn and Ami Manser | PNW + USA adventure travel for more FREE Washington guides and itineraries!

Visit Port Angeles Washington Visit Olympic Peninsula | what to do in Washington | Washington bucket list

09/09/2026

The most scenic fall bike ride in the U.S. 🍁🚲

📍 Olympic Discovery Trail
Port Angeles, Washington

🧡 SEND this to someone you’d love to ride this trail with

The Olympic Discovery Trail, located in Port Angeles, Washington was recently rated one of the best scenic bike trails in the U.S. by the New York Times! ✨

We rented e-bikes from Discover E Bike in downtown Port Angeles. They shuttled us to the starting point near Sequim, WA and we spent the day riding back to Port Angeles along the trail.

This trail has stunning views of the Salish Sea, passes by quaint farm stands, and has plenty of places to eat along the way. 🚴🏽‍♀️

We biked 34 miles of the trail’s total 135 miles, which honestly felt like a breeze on our e-bikes!

🧡 FOLLOW Gwyn and Ami Manser | PNW + USA adventure travel for more FREE Washington guides and itineraries!

Visit Port Angeles Washington Visit Olympic Peninsula | what to do in Washington | Washington bucket list

09/07/2026

Harvest Moon alert!! 🌕

📍 Maple Pass, North Cascades in Washington

This year’s harvest moon will rise on September 26, 2026 around 6:45 PM in Washington! 🌘

🧡 SEND this to someone who would love seeing this rare event!

Last year, in early October, we were hiking Maple Pass at sunset to see the famous golden larches. As we started our descent to the trailhead I saw a glimmer of light over the mountains in the distance and realized it was the full moon rising!! ✨🌕🌲

I was in absolute awe that we got to see the moonrise in such a beautiful spot!

FYI, in 2025 the golden larches peaked in early October! I’m not sure what this year will hold.

LEAVE NO TRACE: When you visit, please remember that these trails get a LOT of hikers! It is EXTRA important to leave no trace by only hiking on the main trail, and packing out all of your trash, 💩 & 🧻 !

| best fall hikes in Washington | best larch hikes in Washington

09/07/2026

The most scenic bike trail in the US 🚲

🧡 SEND this to someone you’d love to ride this trail with and FOLLOW Gwyn and Ami Manser | PNW + USA adventure travel for more FREE Washington guides and itineraries!

The Olympic Discovery Trail, located in Port Angeles, Washington was recently rated one of the best scenic bike trails in the US by the New York Times! ✨

And for a good reason! 😍

This trail has stunning views of the Salish Sea, passes by quaint farm stands, and has plenty of places to eat along the way. 🚴🏽‍♀️

Here’s how to enjoy a day riding along the Olympic Discovery Trail ⤵️

🚲 Rent an e-bike from Discover E Bike in downtown Port Angeles and shuttle to the starting point near Sequim, WA (the bike shop will give you a ride).

✨ Visit the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s native art gallery overlooking Sequim Bay.

🦀 Learn about the local ecology at the Dungeness River Nature Center (free to visit!)

🍔 Stop for lunch at the Old Mill Cafe

🍎 Enjoy a c***r flight at the Olympic Bluffs Cidery

🌻 Visit one of the many farm stands along the way!

🧤 Make sure to pack plenty of water, snacks, and warm layers!

💯 We biked 34 miles of the trail’s total 135 miles, which honestly felt like a breeze on our e-bikes!

🧡 COMMENT “Port Angeles Guide” and I’ll send you our detailed itinerary for how to spend a perfect weekend exploring the Olympic Peninsula.

Visit Port Angeles Washington Visit Olympic Peninsula | what to do in Washington | Washington bucket list

09/06/2026

Spending a fall day in Issaquah, Washington! 🍁

SAVE this for your fall bucket list! 🍂

📍 Issaquah, Washington

Issaquah is an adorable city just 30 minutes from Seattle. And it’s surprisingly easy to walk! 🍂 Along this 3.5 mile walking route here are some must-visit stops along the way ⤵️

📍 Issaquah Farmers Market
Start your Saturday with local food vendors and coffee. The market runs through September from 9 AM–2 PM.

🥾 Issaquah’s urban trails
Follow the trails toward downtown and along Issaquah Creek. The route is surprisingly peaceful despite being surrounded by the city.

🐟 Mayfly Bridge + Confluence Park
Cross the bridge and keep an eye on the creek for salmon making their way upstream. Fall is the best time to look for them!

🏘️ Historic Downtown Issaquah
Walk along Front Street and explore the historic heart of the city (tons of lunch options)

🏛️ Issaquah History Museum
Admission is free, and it’s a great stop if you want to learn more about the history of the area (catch the Issaquah Trolly here!)

🐟 Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
This is one of the best places to see the salmon up close as they make their way through the fish ladder. September and October are prime months for salmon viewing.

🧌 Jakob Two Trees
Finish your walk with a visit to this giant troll sculpture by artist Thomas Dambo, tucked along Rainier Trail.

🧡 FOLLOW Gwyn and Ami Manser | PNW + USA adventure travel for more free guides and itineraries around Washington!

| what to do in Issaquah | the PNW salmon migration | fall getaways near Seattle

09/06/2026

Where to watch the salmon migration near Seattle! 🐟

SAVE this for your fall bucket list! 🍂

📍 Issaquah, Washington

Every fall, salmon return to Issaquah Creek, making their way back upstream after years in the ocean. And one of the coolest parts? You can watch this incredible migration right in downtown Issaquah!🍂

Along this 3.5 mile walking route here are some must-visit stops along the way ⤵️

📍 Issaquah Farmers Market
Start your Saturday with local food vendors and coffee. The market runs through September from 9 AM–2 PM.

🥾 Issaquah’s urban trails
Follow the trails toward downtown and along Issaquah Creek. The route is surprisingly peaceful despite being surrounded by the city.

🐟 Mayfly Bridge + Confluence Park
Cross the bridge and keep an eye on the creek for salmon making their way upstream. Fall is the best time to look for them!

🏘️ Historic Downtown Issaquah
Walk along Front Street and explore the historic heart of the city (tons of lunch options)

🏛️ Issaquah History Museum
Admission is free, and it’s a great stop if you want to learn more about the history of the area (catch the Issaquah Trolly here!)

🐟 Issaquah Salmon Hatchery
This is one of the best places to see the salmon up close as they make their way through the fish ladder. September and October are prime months for salmon viewing.

🧌 Jakob Two Trees
Finish your walk with a visit to this giant troll sculpture by artist Thomas Dambo, tucked along Rainier Trail.

🧡 FOLLOW Gwyn and Ami Manser | PNW + USA adventure travel for more free guides and itineraries around Washington!

| what to do in Issaquah | the PNW salmon migration

09/03/2026

We’ve been keeping a little secret… 🧡

We are BEYOND excited to welcome a tiny adventure buddy into our family in early 2027! 🐣

We don’t plan on slowing down once we have a baby, so please share ALL the advice (AND your favorite gear!) for backpacking, hiking, and traveling with a little one. We need all the help we can get! 🏕️

It took a lot of time, effort, and money ($40,000!!) to get here, but we’re SO excited and grateful. We did reciprocal IVF, which means Gwyn’s eggs were retrieved through IVF, and a fertilized embryo was then transferred to Ami. This has allowed both of us to be intimately involved in creating our family. We’re looking forward to sharing a bit more about our fertility process in the coming months. 🌸

We’re thankful to modern medical science, Pacific Fertility Center in San Francisco, and Seattle S***m Bank for helping to make this journey possible! 🐥

LGBTQ fertility journey | adventure travel family | adventure family | outdoorsy pregnancy announcement | 2026 pregnancy announcement | outdoorsy baby announcement | reciprocal IVF REI

09/03/2026

🧡 SEND this to someone who needs a reminder that having a baby doesn’t mean you have to stop doing the things you love! 🏕️🏔️

We still plan to hike, camp, backpack, and travel with a little one. And while I know that will come with its own unique set of challenges, we’re SO excited for the adventures ahead. I can’t wait to show him all my favorite trails! 🥹

fertility journey | adventure travel family | adventure family | outdoorsy pregnancy announcement | 2026 pregnancy announcement | outdoorsy baby announcement | backpacking with a baby | camping with babies | hiking with infants | pregnancy announcement idea ideas

Would you hike up 52 switchbacks just for this view? 👀Located on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, Beacon...
09/02/2026

Would you hike up 52 switchbacks just for this view? 👀

Located on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, Beacon Rock is famous for its brutal 52 switchbacks carved and constructed into the side of a cliff! Along this short trail you’ll also get GORGEOUS views of the Columbia River Gorge. 🏔️

Although this hike is along the side of a cliff, the trail is wide and there is a metal fence protecting hikers from the steep drop off. As such, I would consider it fairly safe and family-friendly. And it’s a great day trip from Portland, Oregon (Travel Portland) and Vancouver, Washington (Visit Vancouver WA)! It’s less than an hour away. 🛻

🧡 SAVE this hike for your next trip to the Columbia River Gorge (it’s a great sunset hike!), and SEND it to someone who needs to tackle this fun and challenging trail!

BEACON ROCK TRAIL DETAILS ⬇️

📍Hike: Beacon Rock Trail
🥾 Length: 1.5 miles (round trip)
🏔️ Elevation gain: 574 feet
🚐 Cost: $10 Washington State Park day pass, or $45 annual Discover Pass

This hike is open from 8:00 am to dusk. Make sure to leave on time, as there is a locking gate! ⚠️

Wearing Columbia Sportswear. ☀️

| hiking in the Pacific Northwest | the best hikes in Washington | the best hikes near Portland, Oregon | hiking Beacon rock in the Columbia River Gorge

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

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