Springtime (and Beyond) in Washington: 7 Cities to be on your Radar

Some trips I’ve been on have left a lasting impression. When I flew to Seattle for the IFWTWA 2018 Conference, it was my first time in the state of Washington. Having long heard how beautiful and healing the Pacific Northwest is, I was expecting to […]

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Discover the Hidden Gems of Washington’s Gig Harbor

Searching for a coastal getaway between Portland and Seattle? Look no further than Washington’s Gig Harbor. While I love going up the coast in the Pacific Northwest, Gig Harbor was a place I’d yet to explore. With my three dear friends from out of town […]

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Fall 2019 for Along Comes Mary

Fall is coming! While I do love the light nights and warmer days (sometimes) of summer, there’s something about the arrival of pumpkin spice everything and those fall colors. Another reason I’m looking forward to the season are all of the amazing opportunities that are […]

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24 Hours in Astoria, Oregon

I’ve wanted to visit Astoria, Oregon since I was very young. This is solely because one of my favorite movies back in the day was Kindergarten Cop. You know you know it! Tough guy Arnold Schwarzenegger is forced to go undercover as a kindergarten teacher […]

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A First Time Visit to Seattle

No matter what you’re looking for in a getaway, you can find it in Seattle. With diverse neighborhoods, fantastic food and some of the best museums I’ve visited, Seattle is filled with options for everyone. I arrived in Seattle, which had long been on my […]

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A Gluten-Free Guide to Olympia

(*Editor’s Note: I’m sad to report that Dillinger’s, Our Table, and RJ’s Gourmet Grill have retired their businesses since the publishing of this story. My goal is to return to Olympia shortly and update this guide -Mary) Did you know that a foodie haven awaits […]

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Just Grab & Go at Seattle’s Amazon Go Store

When in Seattle, one must do all those cliche things like Starbucks and Nordstrom. The newest staple to hit the town? A little online store called Amazon. Not only are the Amazon headquarters there but they recently unveiled the very first Amazon Go store. At […]

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A Weekend Getaway to Washington’s Camano Island

It’s been a hot summer here in LA. We even had the hottest day EVER on record in my neck of the woods. It got me thinking about my fantastic visit to Camano Island, Washington with the International Food, Wine and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA). […]

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24 Hours in Olympia: Washington’s Diverse and Edgy Capital

While Seattle may take most of the credit for being home to coffee and grunge, don’t be fooled. Just 60 miles out of the Emerald City lays Olympia, a diverse city with a bit of an edge and plenty of alternative vibes. I was thrilled […]

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Gluten-Free at Pike Place Market

Growing up, I wanted to run away to Seattle. I wanted to be anywhere but where I was and move to the Emerald City. I had a plan to work at Starbucks, be in a grunge band and date a dude in flannel. One of […]

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Cama Beach State Park: A Great Middle Ground to Camping

There’s nothing more exciting to me than new adventures. Exploring cities, people, culture. If it involves a new place and some terrific food (and maybe wine), count me in.  I was able to go on quite the overnight trip to Cama Beach State Park on […]

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