Allen Cox

United States

Editor-in-Chief at Northwest Travel & Life

Writer and Editor at Freelance

Featured in: Favicon

nwtravelmag.com Favicon

fwtmagazine.com Favicon

southsoundmag.com Favicon

425magazine.com

Articles

Explore a Slice of the Northwest on an I-90 Road Trip

1 month ago | nwtravelmag.com | Allen Cox

Face it—freeways can be boring. They are a means of getting from points A to B to C, perfect vehicles for catching up on audio books or your favorite podcast. Those of a certain age might remember highway travel before America’s interstate system, when routes meandered from Main Street to Main Street. They were slow going, but rich in discoveries and roadside attractions.
Cruising Southeast Alaska Aboard a Vintage Yacht

2 months ago | nwtravelmag.com | Allen Cox

Captain Ben Swanson shifted the throttle into idle, the engine nearly silent in the still passage. We knew what would come next: the sound of breath escaping from great lungs as if from giant bellows. All eyes scanned the water, and a passenger pointed excitedly, exclaiming, “Three o’clock!”There they were—humpbacks surfacing starboard not 50 yards away. Binoculars and cameras snapped up to faces. We counted the whales as they surfaced and dove—seven was the consensus.
Casper, Wyoming: A Year-Round Playground

Jan 21, 2025 | nwtravelmag.com | Allen Cox

If you have never been to Casper, Wyoming, the city belongs at the top of your family-vacation list. This affordable city offers year-round attractions, starting in winter with a ski hill only 10 minutes from downtown and continuing with a thrilling rodeo spectacle in the spring, a weekend-long music festival in the summer and a festival in the fall to celebrate, well… fall.
Winter Carnival in McCall, Idaho

Jan 14, 2025 | nwtravelmag.com | Allen Cox

Some destinations are simply worth the drive, especially when they are playing host to one of the most festive seasonal events in the West. I’m referring to McCall, Idaho, and its annual Winter Carnival. McCall is located about 2.5 hours north of Boise—a straight shot on Highway 55. You could do Winter Carnival in a day trip from Boise, but why would you when McCall is home to the historic resort Shore Lodge, front and center to three days of action.
Savoring the Bounty of Okanogan Country, Washington

Oct 7, 2024 | nwtravelmag.com | Allen Cox

One of Washington’s best kept secrets is a rural region called Okanogan Country, located in the north-central section of the state. Not only is this region a haven for hikers with 3,000 miles of hiking trails and for skiers with the largest cross-country trail network in North America, but it is also attracting foodies seeking an off-the-beaten-path, locally produced food scene. If you are looking for the latter, you will strike culinary gold in Okanagan Country.
10 Adventure Gateway Towns

Sep 15, 2024 | nwtravelmag.com | Nancy Mueller |Allen Cox

Small cities sometimes get short shrift from visitors on a sprint to get somewhere else. Yet more than mere launching pads to bigger, bolder adventures, these 10 destinations deserve a deeper look when planning your next getaway. Anacortes, Washingtonanacortes.org In the rush to catch the next ferry to the San Juan Islands or British Columbia, you might be tempted to bypass the Gateway Arch leading into the historic downtown of Anacortes, Washington.
Dining Among the Vineyards

Aug 20, 2024 | 425magazine.com | Allen Cox

This article originally appeared in our sister publication, Northwest Travel & Life. What better place for a food and wine pairing than at a winery that operates a restaurant on site? Guests can enjoy everything from small bites with wine pairings to multicourse meals where farm-to-table and vineyard-to-glass are the norms. Here are seven of our top choices for a memorable meal paired with wines — each with a vineyard view.
6 Specialty Food Purveyors Redefining Culinary Excellence

Aug 5, 2024 | southsoundmag.com | Allen Cox

This article originally appeared in our sister publication, Northwest Travel & Life. Whether for your own use or as a tasty gift for someone special, specialty food deliveries will liven up any kitchen. We found these Northwest-based companies that do exactly that. Order as a one-time delivery or as an ongoing subscription, and help support these Northwest food producers and purveyors.
Let’s Take an Idaho Road Trip

Jul 28, 2024 | nwtravelmag.com | Allen Cox

When I set out to see the sights in Southwest and Central Idaho, I did a lot of pre-trip research. What sights did I want to see? What route would I take? How many days could I spare? I knew I’d need at least a week to take in everything on my road-trip checklist. And, with a starting and ending point in the Seattle area, I’d need to add on two-days each way to get to Boise and back (although it could be done in one long, bleary-eyed day each way).
6 Specialty Food Purveyors Redefining Culinary Excellence

Jul 4, 2024 | nwtravelmag.com | Allen Cox

Whether for your own use or as a tasty gift for someone special, specialty food deliveries will liven up any kitchen. We found these Northwest-based companies that do exactly that. Order as a one-time delivery or as an ongoing subscription and help support these Northwest food producers and purveyors. Juneau Food Tours - Taste Alaska! Boxesjuneaufoodtours.com/boxWhen you can’t travel to Alaska you can have the flavors of Alaska in your home.