u/sirotan88

The patio couch set we bought has massive deep seat cushions. I underestimated how large these cushions are and we do not really have space to store them indoors (it takes up about the size of a small couch). Don’t really want to dump them in the garage and take up a third of a car parking space.

So we’ve just bought two big deck boxes to store cushions outside instead. They sit outside on an uncovered deck (we don’t have any roof/pergola type covered area for them). They are advertised as heavy duty and rain proof, but I am unsure if that’s enough protection for PNW winters. I’ve also heard that bugs can get inside these boxes.

Should I put each cushion in a big plastic bag before storing it in the box over winter?

If you have any experience with storing cushions over winter in an outdoor deck box.. would be interested to know how well they hold up.

I find that when I sketch I mostly use 1-2 brushes max, a pen, maybe a pencil. All the roll up canvas brush holders are kind of overkill. But I’m not sure if there’s another way to carry just 2-3 brushes around in my bag. Has anyone found something like that?

I use a calligraphy style brush so the tip needs to be protected, and they are on the longer side

I’ve heard food in Alaska is pretty expensive. Also after some preliminary research, a lot of it looks quite similar (fish, pizza, pasta, burgers). Aside from the fresh seafood, Alaska doesn’t seem like a foodie destination.

All our lodging has a full kitchen so I’m thinking we’ll cook a few meals on the trip, but not sure what is a reasonable amount of cooking vs eating at restaurants, or which towns have better or worse food options. We’re staying in Homer, Seward and Girdwood.

Is it a good idea to shop at local groceries for fresh seafood and cook it ourselves? We’re pretty good at cooking.

My current balcony pots are filled with million bells but they are completely infested with aphids and I haven’t been able to get them under control. Every year I feel like toward end of August whatever flowers I’ve tried to keep healthy through the summer start to wither and die. I’ve tried petunias, million bells and geraniums.

I may just take them down for the season, but curious if anyone swaps to fall flowers around this time, and do they last all the way into November?

Hello, I am planning a weekend trip to North Vancouver in end of September, technically staying in West Vancouver/Horseshoe Bay. Have visited the area multiple times (we live in Seattle and Vancouver is our favorite weekend getaway). Looking for suggestions on things to do that I may have missed.

Things we’ve already done:
- Sea to Sky, Squamish, Whistler
- Shipyards & Lonsdale Quay
- Lighthouse Park & Juniper Point
- Cypress Lookout
- Capilano, Lynn Canyon
- Ambleside
- Deep Cove & Quarry Rock

On the itinerary this time:
- Ferry to Bowen Island
- Omakase at Sushi Mahana

Considering:
- Whytecliff Park
- Grouse mountain
- Port Moody
- A hike (still researching, will be weather and mood dependent, but we’re fairly fit)
- A bike ride (last time we biked from Stanley park across Lions Gate Bridge and back which was epic, but didn’t have time to explore much of North Vancouver on bike)

Thank you so much for any suggestions!

We have 1 full day in Homer and 2 half days (where we need to drive between Anchorage-Homer and then Homer-Seward), traveling in early September with my mom in her 60s.

I’m interested in the Glacier Lake trail in Kachemak Bay State Park, however my mom walks super super slow, and that trail seems like just long enough that it could be not worth the hassle if it’s going to take almost a whole day. We do plan to do a sightseeing boat tour for Kenai Fjords (departing from Seward) so I think we’ll have opportunity to see glaciers from the boat.

Is there any other Homer excursion worth booking in advance, or should we just wander around town (we will have a car and can drive to scenic spots too).

My mom is really into photography, she has a professional DSLR camera, so any easy to access scenic spots or wildlife viewing spots could be nice. Or maybe a short half day water taxi trip - like Halibut Cove?

Walking wise, would prefer to keep it to under 2-3 miles for any hiking trails.

I’ve been to Japan several times with my husband, and have a really good grasp of planning our trip when it’s just two of us.

Our next trip we are bringing extended family - grandparents, parents plus 2 toddlers age 1 and 4, a group of 8 in total. It’s our first time planning a big family trip like this.

Questions for those who have traveled with a big group of family and/or kids:
- What kind of restaurants are suitable for a big group like us, and are kid friendly? Are reservations always necessary?
- Is cooking a better option for us? We’re staying in airbnb homes with kitchens
- What are some things I should know about traveling with 1 year and 4 year olds (eg nap times, sleep time, little things only parents know about?)
- How much stuff can we feasibly do in one day?
- Is there anything we should buy while we’re there and where to get them (like toys?) and is there a way to donate them before we fly home?
- How else can I best support the parents on this trip?

We will be in Hiroshima and Setoda (will rent cars to drive the Shimanami Kaido islands). If you’ve been there I’d love suggestions for kid friendly activities!

I live on the Eastside and realize I don’t actually spend much time driving into Seattle for food, but since I started cycling this summer I’ve discovered a lot of nice places around Seattle to lock up my bike and explore and try new cafes.

So far I’m familiar with Fremont canal, Ballard locks, and recently discovered Madison Valley.

What else should I add to my list?

We have a long layover at London Heathrow (12pm-6pm), before continuing our flight to Venice.

It’s going to be in winter (December), and Windsor castle itself is closed as we’re there on a Wednesday.

I’m ready to just spend our time exploring the airport shops and maybe going to a lounge. But I’m wondering if it’s worthwhile to try to take a taxi to Fairmont Windsor (20 mins) for the afternoon tea.

Or maybe alternative options like afternoon tea at Great Fosters. Saw there’s also a Sofitel (Tea 5) but the vibe seems much less nice.

Aside from the Blue Angels show at 3:30pm, are any of the other events visible for free if we’re in the general vicinity of Genesee park?

Have a bike, don’t have a boat. Was planning to bike to Lake Washington Blvd around noon and find somewhere to picnic or walk and try to see some of the other seafair activities.

I’ve been researching hotels in Hong Kong to book with Hyatt points. None of them really jump out as a clear winner. Hyatt Regency TST seems very business-y, Grand Hyatt too pricey, Hyatt Centric good value but kinda far (if the transit time wasn’t a factor I think we’d probably book it).

We are debating if we should just book a cheaper hotel close to the airport or in Tung Chung.

Flight lands 2pm and departs 10:30am next morning. So I think we can make it work and stay in the city. We’re traveling pretty light with carry on suitcase only.

If we did Hyatt Centric in North Point that’s about a 1 hr direct bus ride from the airport. For HR or GH I think 30 mins AirPort Express train and then taxi transfer to hotel, which may end up being 45 mins total.

Would appreciate any advice on where to book, thanks!

I have one night in Hong Kong, flight landing around 2pm in the afternoon and departing 10:30am the next morning.

I’m debating whether to stay at the airport, or in the city (Hyatt Centric North Point). I think we’d like to do some shopping and sightseeing during the afternoon, have a good meal, then walk in the evening and enjoy the night views.

I’ve visited HK before and already been to the touristy places (TST, Central, Peak, Star ferry). So North Point seemed interesting to check out as it’s a bit off the beaten path. However the total travel time to get there is about 1 hour from the airport.

My thought is that even if we stay at the airport, we will need to commute to and from the city anyways for our half day exploring HK, so why not just stay in the city.

Also looked at hotels close to Kowloon or Central MTR but they are a bit too pricey.

I think going to North Point is doable but my husband is hesitant about the morning commute to get back to the airport. What do you think? Is it worth it to spend the night at North Point instead of the airport hotels?

Any suggestions for which parks will be the easiest to bike to and find a spot to lock our bikes and watch the Blue Angels?

We’re thinking of trying Seward park but not sure how crazy it gets and how early we’d need to arrive by bike (to find secure bike locking and a spot on the waterfront). Planning to go across I90 on the way there, and maybe 520 on way back to avoid all the traffic after the show (we need to get back to Kirkland)

Update: thanks for the advice! Tentative plan is biking across I-90 at 1pm, watch hydroplanes from East Portal Viewpoint, then bike down to Colman Park for the main Blue Angels show. After show is over, we’ll bike all the way north on Lake Washington Blvd to Arboretum and 520 bridge to get home.

I’m looking for a traditional ryokan (ideally with onsen), or similar splurge stay for our last night of the trip before flying out of KIX. The flight is at 2pm, so we plan to get to the airport by 11-11:30am.

Right now I’m considering Oukai Villa Izumi, but I’d like to know if there’s anywhere else worth checking out that would be within 1 hr transit to the airport? (Ok with combining taxi/train or taxi all the way if needed)

Thanks!

I’m really excited for our upcoming Christmas vacation, we will spend 3 nights in Moena and 6 nights in Badia and have a rental car the entire trip.

We will plan to have several rest days in between skiing. I’d love sightseeing or activity suggestions for our rest days!

My list so far:
- Ortisei (historic town to wander around, also a ski base area)
- Lago di Braies (1 hr drive from Badia)
- Cron4 Piscina & Sauna (Kronplatz) - can combine with Lago di Braies
- Bolzano (has Christmas market)
- QC Terme Dolomiti / Terme Dolomia

We also do have micro-spikes and hiking poles, if there are any good winter hikes to check out, but I assume most of the best sights are going to be accessed by skiing?