Great Escapes: Follow The Sun!

Before gas prices reach $5.00 per gallon, and the thought of a road trip seems ridiculously frivolous, grab your spouse, your kids and the dog and head out of town for a road trip! There are numerous places within a three hour drive from Seattle, where you'll get a change in scenery and a chance to soak up some sun! Here are four ideas to get you started:

1. The Tri-Cities-Kennewick, Richland and Pasco-boast 300 days of sunshine per year versus an average of 58 days of sunshine in Seattle.  The Tri-Cities is approximately 200 miles away from the Seattle area, so you could enjoy some sunshine in just over 3 hours!

2. Located just two hours from Seattle-in the "rain-shadow" of the Olympics, the small retirement community of Sequim also advertises 300 sunshine-filled days per year. This small town is known for its annual Lavender Festival as well as being one of the Best Places to Retire, according to Money Magazine! 

3. Another nearby city claiming 300 days of sunshine-where you just might be able to "get your glow on"-is Wenatchee, WA. In approximately two hours, you could be soaking up some heat and vitamin D. Pick a few apples, and enjoy visiting the local wineries-in moderation, of course-for even greater health benefits.

4. If you need some instant gratification, check out your nearest tanning salon. Mercer Island's own The Island Salon & Spa offers chemical free sun fx spray tanning so you can have a sunkissed look without ever leaving our Island. After a trip or two to the salon, people will be wondering if you just returned from an exotic vacation!

So, scrape off the moss, get out your sunglasses-if you can find them-and seek out some sunshine. If you aren't able to get away anytime soon, take heart, the sun may not come out tomorrow, but it will show itself sometime soon.