Kayaking is an amazing way to reach some very remote and unique locations, but if you’re going to be camping, you’ll have to fit all your gear into the hatches of your kayak. For this reason, make sure that the hatches of your kayak are spacious enough to hold everything—from your tent and sleeping bag to your camp stove and extra clothes. But you also have to ensure that these items won’t get wet, as wet gear can truly ruin any otherwise fun trip.

If you want to ensure that your gear arrives at the campsite dry as a bone, it will almost always require the use of dry bags. These bags are completely waterproof, and they allow you to store all the gear that you don’t want to get wet. They come in various sizes, so it shouldn’t be an issue finding one small enough to accommodate your camera and wallet and one big enough to fit your tent. I used them for the first time last weekend on my Banks Lake kayaking trip and they were absolutely amazing.

When I retired last year, I immediately left the city and began looking into Sunbanks cabins. I moved to a cabin for several reasons. First and foremost, I wanted some contrast from the day job I had in the city. The hustle-and-bustle of urban areas starts to make my head spin after a while. Second, and perhaps most important, I love to explore nature and survey for interesting flora and fauna. There are wild plants and animals in abundance near my home, and lately I’ve reached out to a few of them.

Not long after I attached a wooden bird house to the tree outside my bedroom window, a cardinal started hanging around. His brilliant red feathers made him easy to identify, but his mate is a slightly darker shade to provide better camouflage. She took up residence in the house and I’ve been waiting for baby birds to appear. I can hardly wait to see what kind of bird will make its home in my bird house next year.

One of the highlights of living in Pacific Northwest is the vast assortment of Washington festivals and events constantly taking place. In the next few weeks alone, there will be the Bite of Seattle and an immense outdoor exhibition put on by the Bellevue Art Museum. My favorite festivals, however, are those that center on music.

During the summertime, the state plays host to dozens of music events—from the Sasquatch Festival and Bumbershoot, to the Sunbanks Blues Festival. Not only do these festivals feature music artists, but they also typically feature comedians, painters and other artists. No matter what your taste, there is always some world-class entertainment on the horizon.

For many people, recreational vehicles fit into a grand life plan. In a way, they represent the fulfillment of the American Dream. Once a couple settles down, has kids and pays off the mortgage, it’s time to traverse the great national landscape in style and luxury. RVs are also reminiscent of another American ideal: manifest destiny. We explore unfamiliar locales in hopes of laying claim to something new and exciting.

Yet RVs are not an end in themselves. RV owners have to consider plenty of mundane details before setting out onto the open road. One of the most important of these considerations is where you are going to set up shop each night. Whether we need Eastern Washington RV camping or some lodging in the Deep South, we always do our research before we depart.

In the Pacific Northwest, we frequently have to wait until July for the weather to become favorable, but this year we have already experienced several days in the 80s. January saw record high temperatures and the heat wave appears to be continuing. And when the sun comes out in our neck of the woods, people move in droves in the nearest body of water. With dozens of lakes riddled throughout the landscape, there are many opportunities for Eastern Washington watersports.

Whether you enjoy fishing, kayaking, water skiing or just laying on the banks and basking in the sunshine, the summer climate in the Pacific Northwest is ideal for fun in the water. Unlike many areas of the country, there is little humidity and temperatures hover in the 80s, which is enjoyable for virtually everyone. And thanks to the incessant rainfall during the rest of the year, virtually ever body of water is surrounded by rich, lush flora.

The Columbia River Basin covers over 260,000 square miles in North America and provides some of the most picturesque views in the country. One of the best spots to view the Basin is in central Washington, near the city of George. In and around George, Washington there are various scenic vantage points for tourism, as well as multiple hiking trails and boat ramps for the river.

The Gorge Amphitheater is positioned at the edge of one of the cliffs and hosts an array of concerts every summer. It is continuously voted as one of the best venues in the world to see a show. Just down the road there is the famous Wild Horses monument overlooking the Basin. These regal horse statues create beautiful animal silhouettes during sunrise and sunset. If you are from out of the area, there are several options for accommodations, including Eastern Washington villas.

After living in Washington for my entire life, I relocated to Houston a few years ago in an effort to further my career. While the promotion has certainly improved the quality of life for my family and me, I pine for the lush landscape and inimitable atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest. Luckily, the promotion that I recently landed comes with an extra week of paid vacation, so there are ample opportunities for a reprieve from the harsh Houston climate.

Every year, we rent out a couple of Washington villas and make a pilgrimage back to my home state. This serves as an occasion for reconnecting with old friends and satiating my appetite for the Northwest lifestyle. I am particularly excited about going back this year, as we will be in town for Memorial Day and the annual at the Gorge.

Twice a year, the Sun Banks Rhythm and Blues Festival brings musicians and music lovers to the idyllic shores of Banks Lake. The 2010 spring edition is fast approaching, and the time to make your reservations is now. Beginning this Thursday, the Festival will run through Sunday, with each day chockfull of top tier blues entertainment.

The Festival attracts musicians from around the state and country, and this year’s spring festival features notable names such as The Moss Brothers, Hamilton Loomis and the Neil Rush Band. Not only will you get to take in some of the most renowned blues musicians, but you will also have the vast Eastern Washington landscape at your disposal. Go on a hike, take a leisurely kayak trip or just lounge around the shore of Banks Lake.

A lot of people love to go camping during the summer, and as the weather continue to heat up, campsites will be filled with an increasing number of patrons. People enjoy spending time in the great outdoors and just relaxing far away from the city.  Going to Eastern Washington campgrounds promotes communal activities and is a great way to foster relationships.

There are different campsites to choose from, and you’ll want to be sure to select one that caters to your particular interests. There are campsites that offer a lot of amenities like hot showers, barbecue grills, satellite phones and more. But some just offer the basic sewer provision and that’s it. You can really have a great camping experience whether you are bombarded with technological innovations or just plain roughing it.  The whole family will enjoy the experience since you are all together having fun.

Family vacations are about much more than the destination. Take a moment to listen to a proud father recounting his favorite vacation memories and you’ll notice that the place becomes arbitrary when compared to the people. Even in trying financial times, families can spend a few days together away from the pressures of work and school.

For an affordable family vacation, consider limiting travel time and reducing the costs of lodging. An RV park in a local woodland area could take the place of some far-off national monument. The marshmallows roasted over an open fire taste just as delicious. Family fun doesn’t need to cost a bundle, so look into the logistics of traveling to a Washington RV park for your next “staycation.”