Let’s be honest. Coronavirus has derailed most, if not all, of our vacations this year. The good news is that with most counties in Washington currently in Phase 2 and some in Phase 3, some limited travel is possible if you travel wisely. And this summer could be a great opportunity to reconnect with the gorgeous sights of our own state.
Here are a few good tips to stay safe while traveling this summer:
- Travel only with those in your own household
- Or, if you are traveling with a small group of people outside your own household, drive separately and sleep in separate rooms
- Stay in accommodations that you are confident are being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each stay and wear masks in common areas. If weather allows, keep windows open for air ventilation. If you are camping, even better! Sleep in separate tents from those outside your own household.
- Wear masks while inside any public spaces and outside if you aren’t able to maintain more than 6 feet of distance between people.
- If eating at restaurants, sit at an outdoor table if weather allows.
- Make sure to check for the latest updates and phases for the region you’re traveling to.
- And, of course, keep hand sanitizer and a mask with you at all times.
 Stop 1:We’re heading up to the gorgeous North Cascades! Drive along Highway 20 for spectacular mountain views and glittering lakes, pulling off along many scenic views along the way. For an extended trip, drive the entire Cascade Loop connecting Highway 20 through Twisp to Lake Chelan and Wenatchee, then across Highway 2 through Leavenworth back to Monroe. |
 Stop 2:For our second highlight of our road trip, we’re heading down to the Columbia Gorge. Travel east along Highway 14 from Vancouver to White Salmon for some gorgeous views and waterfalls, fishing, and kite surfing. Pop over the border from White Salmon to explore the artsy town of Hood River and explore the many outdoor activities the area has to offer. |
 Stop 3:Our next stop is the beautiful San Juan Islands. Wander the restaurants and galleries of Friday Harbor on San Juan, explore the hikes and shorelines of Orcas Island, and bicycle along Lopez Island. No visit to the islands is complete without a whale watching tour – be it from a boat or a kayak! The Islands’ lodging, restaurants, and tour companies are currently all open in a modified Phase 2 and are excited to welcome visitors for the summer season! |
 Stop 4:The next stop on our Bartell’s Summer Road Trip is Chelan! Walk the streets of the resort community of Chelan and explore the boutiques and wine tasting rooms. Hire a kayak or paddle boat and paddle the afternoon away on the beautiful deep blue lake. Or camp in one of the many campgrounds that dot along the lake and spend your time hiking some of the gorgeous trails in the area! |
 Stop 5:Heading on over to the Olympics! Whether you’re an avid hiker, a viewpoint photographer, or a beach connoisseur, the Olympics has something for everyone. Take overnight trips to Port Angeles and explore Hurricane Ridge or to Quinault for a beautiful lakeside stay. To explore the whole loop, allow yourself 4-5 days and visit the enchanting Hoh Rainforest and spend an afternoon at Kalaloch or Ruby Beach. |
 Stop 6:Sending love to the east side and driving over to Spokane. Explore River Park Square for shopping and dining, have a picnic and enjoy the flowers at the beautiful Riverfront Park, and taste some beers in the city’s many breweries. Pop over the border to explore the town of Coeur d’Alene, ID. Take a detour off I-90 to visit stunning Palouse Falls. And of course, no trip to Spokane is complete without a visit to Spokane Falls right in the heart of the city! |
 Stop 7:The final stop on our Bartell’s Summer Road Trip is Walla Walla. Take a walk or have a picnic at Pioneer Park, stroll through the various shops and boutiques that line the downtown streets, and of course – wine taste at some of Washington’s best wineries! *Walla Walla county is currently in Phase 2, please check what’s open before you go. |