Orcas Island's natural wonderland offers families an affordable vacation in spring, summer or fall. Experience whale watching, kayaking, bicycling, hiking and fishing.

May 11, 2009 - Susan Lynne Hamilton

Fur trader and explorer Alexander Ross described the culture of the Native Americans in the costal areas of Washington and Oregon prior to substantial Euopean contact.

Mar 31, 2009 - Dale Raugust

Pacific Northwest vacations are cheap when the trips are close to home. Here are great educational ideas for any family with kids.

Mar 16, 2009 - Christina Gregoire

Each year the gray whales travel along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico's Baja California. Warming oceans are changing their migratory pattern.

Jun 5, 2010 - Kathleen Sonntag

In False Pass, Alaska, killer whales (Orcas) gather every spring to prey on migrating grey whales. The result is a spectacular slaughter.

Dec 10, 2010 - Hazel Trego

Family groups often stay together for life, and different groups have developed their own cultures.

Feb 17, 2008 - John Blatchford

Naturalist James Davis takes readers on a year-long tour of see elk, bald eagles, migrating whales, butterflies, tidepools, spring's first wildflowers in the Pacific NW.

Sep 24, 2009 - Linda McDonnell

Kids and adults enjoy Whidbey Island's state parks, lakes, forts, lighthouses, small towns, ocean coves and farms. Family activities are offered from spring through fall.

Apr 23, 2009 - Susan Lynne Hamilton

Whale-watching tours are a spectacular addition to any holiday. Find the best places around the world to see them.

Jul 29, 2010 - Marlo Heresco

To see orca whales and other wildlife in their natural habitat, book a tour with a whale watching company in Washington or British Columbia.

Jun 3, 2008 - Sheila Gaquin

Many forms of pollution threaten the world ocean ecosystem. It's widely known that chemicals cause pollution, but noise pollution also disrupts animal life.

Jan 1, 2011 - Angela Libal

What to expect and what not to miss on a driving tour of the central Oregon coast.

Apr 21, 2008 - James Hutchinson

Only a few humans have been attacked by killer whales in the wild - none during whale watching. Yet orcas in captivity have attacked dozens of trainers since the 1970s.

Feb 25, 2010 - Heidi DeVries

The Tsimshians called the ghost bear Moksgm'ol, Spirit of the Rain Forest. What settlers thought to be a legend was a real ursine species and was named the Kermode bear.

Dec 17, 2009 - Jill Stefko

The confirmed sighting of a species of whale thought to be long extinct outside the Pacific shows how little is currently known.

May 11, 2010 - John Blatchford

Gray whales migrate south each winter to give birth in the shallow lagoons of Baja California. Visitors can tour the lagoons and see these magnificent mammals up close.

Jun 23, 2009 - Bob Bowers

Just off the east coast of the South Island animal enthusiasts can encounter an abundant array of marine animals, including seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales.

Mar 11, 2010 - Amy Goldstein

The New "Whale Watching Spoken Here" Center Offers Excellent Viewing Complete with Spotting Scopes and Guides to Help Locate Whale Spouts and Flukes

Jul 9, 2009 - Linda McDonnell

Canadian city near regular migration path of Eastern Pacific grey whales but Israeli whale is the first sighting outside the Pacific since the 18th century

May 12, 2010 - Dawn M. Smith

San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands boast some of the world's best whale watching, April-October. Kayaking, hiking, biking and fishing engage adventuresome kids and adults

Apr 14, 2009 - Susan Lynne Hamilton