Great Escape: Bring the Heat

SeattlePI.com reported some disturbing results of our sad summer thus far: Only 78 minutes of 80 degrees or higher and only 18 hours of temps over 75. While the rest of the nation is sweltering, we’re wearing boots and sweaters to work.

Set your sights on somewhere warmer and enjoy the east side of the state. Who needs Cabo or Palm Springs when we have Yakima and Lake Chelan to fulfill our warm-weather needs?

While in Yakima, hit up several of the valley's wineries, including Snoqualmie Vineyards and Sleeping Dog Wines.  Or veg out by the pool at Yakima’s Red Lion Hotel, where poolside temps this weekend are expected in the mid- to upper-80s.

A two-hour drive in the other direction gets you to Lake Chelan, boasting more than a dozen wineries of their own, not to mention those summer friendly temps of 80-plus degrees.  You’ll also find many poolside opportunities here at one of the many town resorts.

So get out there and catch a few rays – even if they are a couple hours away.