Ladder Creek Falls is an underrated gem of the North Cascades. This waterfall behind the Gorge Powerhouse becomes illuminated at night with colors thanks to a light show put on by Seattle City Light. The light show originally started around the 1930s to showcase the area’s beauty. It gained popularity quick, not only because of the amazing colors but it’s free, easy to reach and just outside of Seattle. They still light up the falls nightly with blue, red, green and white colors, running on a 15-minute schedule from dusk until midnight. Aside from the lights and music, a main…
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Photo by Flickr/Eli Duke
Just north of Cape Kiwanda is another hidden gem of the Oregon coast – Cape Meares. The two scenic areas are part of the Three Capes Scenic Route, a 40-mile drive that also leads to Cape Lookout. At Cape Meares you’ll not only get breathtaking views of the coast but you can see Oregon’s shortest lighthouse and the one-of-a-kind Octopus Tree. Cape Meares lies just off Highway 101, about ten miles west of Tillamook. The park is set on a forested headland over 200 feet above the ocean with a scenic viewpoint, historic lighthouse – which dates back to 1889…