Michael & Elizabeth Fagin
Michael is a freelance travel writer for Foodista and is currently touring much of the US West Coast enjoying the wine country, and covering the fine wines, dining, and hiking in the region. Also covering British Columbia wine country and exploring the rain forests, coastal regions, and the mountains. While he is not writing Michael is the operational meteorologist for West Coast Weather, LLC and provides custom forecast for all outdoor events from weddings to climbing mountains (from Mt. Rainier to Mt. Everest) .
Elizabeth Fagin is a free-lance writer currently focusing on travel, food and wine, with her husband Michael. She has also written professionally for the Fresh Connections Blog - The Parfitt Way, which features points of interest and culture on Bainbridge Island, WA. She has been a Jewish Educator in the Seattle area for the last 25 years. Elizabeth and Michael live in Redmond, WA where they raised two kids and a number of cats.
Posts by Michael & Elizabeth Fagin
May 17, 2023
The 23rd year of Taste Washington was a smashing success! However, before we discuss the highlights of 2023, it is interesting to see what the first event was like. “The first event...
March 28, 2023
After a four-year pandemic hiatus, the Taste Washington event kicked off its 23rd year in Seattle, and we were all thrilled about the return! Taste Washington is the largest single-region wine and...
November 16, 2022
Leaving Seattle early in the morning necessitated coffee, and being on vacation, one of us enjoyed a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream in her coffee. I enjoyed extra nourishment from a hardy...
November 9, 2022
This rich agricultural area is just east of Salem, Oregon, with the Willamette Valley to the west and the Cascades to the east. We enjoyed the beauty of the Valley. The first stop was Iverson Family...
September 30, 2022
Swantown Inn | Olympia Bed and Breakfast Retreat is conveniently located near the Washington State capital and Capital Lake, the Woodard Bay Conservation Area, Boston Harbor Marina (a great place to...
September 26, 2022
The Ferry Ride If you drive four hours north from Seattle, you can catch a ferry boat to what many call paradise, The Sunshine Coast. The coast boasts countless fjords (inlets) found on this...
September 9, 2022
Whale Watching, colorful sunsets, fine dining, and launching our kayak awaited us in Bellingham Bay. The charming city of Bellingham is located just an hour and a half north of Seattle. The Hotel...
August 31, 2022
We were awed by the view of Mt. Hood every morning from our hotel room at sunrise. Along with that inspiring view, billows of smoke came from an eatery just across the street. After watching the...
July 29, 2022
Beer and the Water Frank Kenney takes all the credit. In 1902 Frank was secretary of Olympia Brewing Company and told co-owner and founder Leopold Schmidt that "It's the Water" should...
July 27, 2022
The Kitsap Peninsula is home to a national treasure for kayakers, stand-up paddle board enthusiasts, and others who enjoy getting out on the water. The Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails is 371...
July 18, 2022
Part 2 Wandering Around Yakima’s Downtown and Beyond (read part 1 here). After a busy day of kayaking and hiking and sampling of beer, we relaxed at Hilton Garden Inn Yakima Downtown ...
July 14, 2022
Part 1: Upper Yakima Valley Waterfalls, alpine lakes, mountain flowers, and sunshine is what you can expect when traveling to Yakima from Western Washington or Western Oregon. Here are some of the...
July 8, 2022
Part 2: Yellowhawk Sparkling Wine (read part 1 here) Walla Walla is not a typical location for growing cool-climate grapes for making sparkling wine. Still, there are some cooler spots in this...
July 8, 2022
Part 1: Yellowhawk – Time to pamper yourself and enjoy some culinary delights! When we walked into the Pool House at Yellowhawk Resort, we knew we were in for a treat. Our home for the next...
June 7, 2022
Part 3: Camano Island Camano Island, just a short drive north of Seattle, is connected to the land by bridge, so there are no ferry lines! Camano is a small quiet island, but there is no shortage of...
June 6, 2022
Part 2 Central/North Whidbey; Coupeville-and Beyond (read Part 1 here). Just 15 minutes from Greenbank, we arrived at our next destination: The Coupeville Inn. The Inn is a beautiful sky-blue French...
May 24, 2022
Is It Really Just the Water? Hood River, Oregon, along the Columbia River, has been declared the windsurfing capital of the world for many years. Now, there are many other human-powered alternatives...
May 17, 2022
Part 1 South Whidbey: Clinton to Langley to Greenbank We left our home in Redmond, Washington, and after just a 90-minute drive (which included an enjoyable ferry ride), we arrived at Possession...
December 3, 2021
Part 2: Outdoor Fun Along the Hood Canal in the Fall and Winter: Don’t Whine About the Weather; Have a Sip of Wine Instead (read Part 1 here). True or false: It rains ALL THE TIME in the...
November 8, 2021
Part 1: Fall/Winter Comfort Food, Outdoor Fun, and Tranquility Awaits A room with a view of a fjord and the snowcapped mountains is just under a two-hour car drive from Seattle. That is Alderbrook...
November 2, 2021
The weather forecast for the day called for rain and wind. What a surprise for a fall/winter forecast for the Greater Seattle Area (not!). However, we were determined to kayak at Angle Lake...
September 22, 2021
Part 3 of Salem, Oregon: Grab a Bite to Eat, a Sip of Wine, and Unwind in the Outdoors (Read Part 1 and Part 2). Eola Amity Hill AVA There are 26 wineries in the AVA. Sadly, we didn’t have time...
August 31, 2021
Part 2 of Salem, Oregon: Grab a Bite to Eat, a Sip of Wine, and Unwind in the Outdoors. With all the great food and drinks that can be found in Salem, you'll probably be looking for some...
August 26, 2021
Salem, Oregon Part 1- Eating Your Way Through Downtown Salem The main goal for our trip to Oregon's capital city was to explore the AVA's and Sub-AVA's of the Willamette Valley wine...
July 12, 2021
Part 2 of 47 Hours of Bliss in Spokane: -Riding the Waves, Dining, Wine Tasting, and More (read Part 1 here). You would need to spend many more than 47 hours in Spokane to enjoy all the wonderful...
