Wine, Whiskey, and Walks in Woodinville
Woodinville Washington is your destination for more than just its famed summer concert series. Discover its history, walking trails, wine districts and tasting rooms, a charming tavern and a whiskey distillery.
Sheep Shearing Festival at Kelsey Creek Farm
Kelsey Creek Farm, a 150-acre oasis in the middle of bustling Bellevue, Washington is open and free to the public 365 days/year. Its annual Sheep Shearing Festival on April 25th is a chance to witness a farming tradition and meet all the resident animals.
Eastside Explorations on the Crosslake Connection
On March 28, 2026, history was made. For the first time anywhere in the world, a light rail train crossed a floating bridge, connecting Redmond and Bellevue, cities on the east side of Lake Washington, to Seattle on the west side of the lake. Take a ride with me and discover some of the fun things to do along the way.
Inspiration at the Flower & Garden Festival
The Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is the second largest festival of its kind in the US. Named Best Flower Festival by USA Today, it’s a delight. Discover the show’s highlights, plus the photographs of Mercer Islander David Fishman.
Coal Creek Natural Area History Hike: Walk Through Nature and Bellevue’s Coal Mining Past
Published on Visit Bellevue’s website:
A walk under the canopy of the lush second-growth forest in Coal Creek, in Bellevue, WA is guaranteed to satisfy your soul. You’re also walking through history - this site was home to Washington’s first major industry: coal mining. Take a well-marked trail or sign up for a guided tour of my favorite park.
A Skip-Gen Vacation to Remember
Getting it just right for a winter skip-gen vacation in Germany with seven and ten year-old granddaughters.
https://www.mi-reporter.com/2026/02/23/a-skip-gen-vacation-to-remember-meanderings-by-mindy-stern/
Travel Through History and the World at Island Books
A visit to Island Books on Mercer Island is always an adventure.
Experience Three Continents over Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner in Bellevue, WA
After sampling cuisines from two other continents, I wanted to complete my global culinary tour of Bellevue, WA, which ranks as one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. Join me as we begin our international travels with breakfast in Belgium, lunch in Vietnam and dinner in Peru.
Hurry Down to Hood River
A shoulder season visit to Hood River, OR brings unexpected delights.
https://www.mi-reporter.com/life/hurry-down-to-hood-river-oregon-meanderings-by-mindy-stern/
Shoulder Season in The Dalles, Oregon
History, nature, art, wine, food trucks, and more await in The Dalles, Oregon
https://www.mi-reporter.com/life/shoulder-season-in-the-dalles-oregon-meanderings-by-mindy-stern
Shoulder Season on Mount Hood
Mount Hood is Oregon’s tallest mountain. A shoulder season trip to historic Timberline Lodge in November turned into an adventure.
Ten Tips for a NYC Visit
Ten practical tips to make a visit to New York City easy and fun.
https://www.mi-reporter.com/life/ten-tips-for-a-new-york-city-visit-meanderings-by-mindy-stern/
Viva Verona and Venice
It was raining in Verona when I arrived in August for a five-day visit. The ancient cobblestones were slippery and water puddled in the streets. Arena di Verona, the amphitheater where I’d be attending opera, is an outdoor space with absolutely no shelter. Tickets are non-refundable. I started praying for dry weather.
https://www.mi-reporter.com/life/viva-verona-and-venice-meanderings-by-mindy-stern/
Detroit, plus a Visit to Our Neighbor to the South
Taking in a Detroit Lions game at Ford Field or the Red Wings in Detroit’s Little Caesar’s Arena is a thrill. But you don’t have to be a sports fan to have fun in Detroit, a city with multiple nicknames: “Motor City,” reflecting Detroit’s car-manufacturing history. “Motown City,” thanks to its enduring music legacy and “Hockeytown,” self-explanatory.
https://www.mi-reporter.com/2025/10/13/detroit-plus-a-visit-to-our-neighbor-to-the-south-meanderings-by-mindy-stern/
Oom-pah, Oom-pah, Sausage, and Beer
Oktoberfest in Leavenworth, WA is an annual event that’s fun for the whole family. It draws musicians, dancers, and entertainers to this mountain town. Did you know there are other Oktoberfests to explore in Washington? Check out this story about the State’s largest festival in the fairgrounds of Puyallup, WA and meet some of the amazing talent.
The Friendliest Places from Windsor to Sarnia to Warm Your Winter
Published on Ontario’s Southwest website:
The pumpkin bread was still warm when I entered the kitchen in the John R Park Homestead in Harrow, a “living history” museum, where volunteers dressed in period costumes interact with visitors to demonstrate how food was cooked, wool was spun, and metal was forged.
Challah Wars
That braided bread you see at Jewish celebratory meals? It’s called challah. Try clearing your throat and pronounce the first two letters of challah with a guttural sound. Mazal tov - you’ve got it.
https://www.mi-reporter.com/2025/08/31/challah-wars-on-mercer-island-meanderings-by-mindy-stern/
Denver Road Trip – a Visit to Mile High City
My first road trip began the day after I got a driver’s license. I was nineteen. In a car loaded with 8-track cassettes, my then-boyfriend and I sang along with the Grateful Dead and Van Morrison, heading towards Colorado.
Yellowstone – World’s First National Park
Yellowstone, America’s – and the world’s – first national park, was created by Congress in 1872 in order to protect its geothermal areas and geysers. At 3,472 square miles, it’s bigger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined, spanning across Wyoming, Montana, and a tiny part of Idaho.
The Reluctant Overlander
You know what they say about the road to hell – it’s paved with good intentions. When my husband first started overlanding - towing a small trailer with a rooftop tent and camping in remote locations - I declared, “I’m not sleeping in that thing,” and stuck to my guns.
https://www.mi-reporter.com/life/the-reluctant-overlander-meanderings-by-mindy-stern/