Exploring the Cascade Loop: A Remote Teaching Autumn Adventure

Picture this: you’re perched at a quaint coffee shop with a steaming Americano in hand, the colorful fall hues framed against a backdrop of misty mountain peaks, and firing up your laptop to start your work day. That’s the magic of remote work—balancing your career with wanderlust. For two and a half glorious months, I lived this dream, diving into Washington’s Cascade Loop from the comfort of my RV at the Cascades RV Resort in Sultan. Here’s how remote teaching and daily field trips made for an unforgettable journey.

Sultan: My Mountain Basecamp

Towing my travel trailer west on Hwy 2, I pulled into the small mountain town of Sultan, Washington, in late August of 2024. The misty, still-warm weather seemed a perfect welcome to this small town hidden and tucked amongst the tall evergreens of the cascade loop. The Cascades RV Resort is located at the city's edge and became my home during my stay. The property’s amenities included the typical laundry, showers, and propane filling station, and also included right in the park and steps away from my RV, Gracie’s Coffee, where the Americano was as strong as my Starlink signal, and breakfast burritos as good as the ones back home in South Texas.

Between classes and on my days off, I explored local gems like Sultan Bakery, a paradise of pastries, and Bubba’s Roadhouse, where the portions are as hearty as the small-town charm. My first night in town, my oldest son came up from Redmond to visit; we had not seen each other in a year and were ready to catch up, so we picked up some beer at The Red Apple, the local grocery store, and ordered a pizza from Sahara Pizza just a mile from the RV park. After pizza, beer, and good conversations by the fire, he stayed the night with me on the couch, and we continued the conversation the following day over coffee at Sultan Bakery. The bakery also served hot, old-fashioned diner-style plate lunches, such as roast beef, meatloaf, and fried chicken with homestyle vegetables. Besides the amazing breakfast pastries, they also served a selection of pies, cakes, and other delectable desserts. I tried to try them all for research purposes, of course. When I was in the mood for a craft beer or a local cider, I headed to Bubba Roadhouse, where I could also soak in the local life and enjoy delicious food like chicken fried steak while listening to live music.

Small-Town Charm and Big Adventures

Monroe: A short drive and a world away, Monroe is about 10 miles west of Sulton on Hwy 2. Here, I found a slightly bigger town and the host of the Evergreen State Fair. When I needed to venture over to Monroe to do a little shopping or visit the closest Walmart, I would also treat myself to dinner at Buzz Inn Steakhouse or wander its historic downtown, window-shopping and indulging in sweet treats or local flavors.

Duvall: This quaint gem felt like a Hallmark movie set. About 30 miles south of Monroe, Duvall is just one of the many cute small towns tucked away in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. It also was a perfect halfway point and meeting place between me and my son in Redmond. At Valley House Brewing Co., we enjoyed craft brew cider and a sweet and savory charcuterie tray. On a daytime visit in mid-October, I pretended I was cast in the Hallmark movie as I strolled the adorable streets lined with trees shedding colorful leaves. Browsing through the cute gift shops and antique stores, up and down the picturesque historic downtown, I was ready to warm up and found refuge in Grateful Bread, where I enjoyed a strong cup of warm coffee and indulged in a sweet treat. They also served sandwiches and other amazing lunch items, so I brought one back with me to the RV to enjoy for dinner later.

Leavenworth: Pretzels, Beer, and a Bavarian Hangover

When you visit Leavenworth, you step into a Bavarian fairytale—lederhosen optional, thankfully. My son and I started our visit on the Alpine Express, a ride that quickly reminded us we’re not as spry as we used to be. Fortunately, Leavenworth Cider House and Stein, lively beer halls, provided a recovery plan: pretzels the size of your face and beer that’d make any German proud.

Leavenworth’s streets brought me back to my Air Force days when I was stationed in Germany, a place I have always wanted to go back and visit someday. On the way back to Sultan via Highway 2, we detoured for a short riverside hike, soaking in the last golden rays and sneaking in a few more picture moments of our day.

Autumn Glory and Snoqualmie Falls

As the calendar flipped to fall, the Cascade Loop donned its most vibrant outfit. Colors not accustomed to fall in Texas. Trees burst into reds, yellows, and oranges-even shades in between each like pink and salmon- so vivid it felt like nature was showing off. One highlight was Snoqualmie Falls, where the roaring waterfall mingled with the mist and kaleidoscope of autumn leaves. It was the kind of scene that makes you forget emails exist.

Redmond: Family, Friends, and Future Brews

My journey also took me to Redmond to visit my oldest son, who’s busy helping SpaceX Starlink connect the world. Between catching up and hanging out at his apartment, we explored Redmond’s culinary scene, including his favorite after-work spot with his crew of friends at the cozy Three Lions Pub, where I had a perfect Pumpkin Cider and fish and chips. After spending a Sat morning at the brewery store stocking up on supplies for his next brew, I spent the rest of the day at his apartment watching him brew his next batch of beer. We ordered in from the dumpling heaven that is Dough Zone. The flavorist and fluffiest buns and dumplings ever to cross my lips.

But the real treat? Watching my son and his friends bring their passion the Martian Ale Project Brewing Company, to life. They hosted a beer-tasting event featuring homemade brews and custom merch, blending ambition with hops, barley, and good vibes. Watching them chase their dreams while sipping craft beer? That’s my kind of inspiration.

Pumpkin Patches, Festivals, and Falling in Love with Fall

Autumn in the Cascades is a love letter to the season. From pumpkin patches to cider tastings, every small town around Sultan celebrated the season with nostalgic fall charm. Corn mazes were advertised on hand painted signs, posted on the long, windy roads between each charming town, and banners crossed historic downtown streets announcing local festivals that showcase the best of the community.

The Remote Work Dream Realized

Leaving the traditional classroom to teach remotely was a leap into the unknown, but adventures like this have made it abundantly clear: it was worth it. The flexibility to work from my RV while exploring the country has been a game-changer. I’ve visited my kids, embraced new experiences, and proven you can have both a fulfilling career and an adventurous lifestyle.

Plan Your Own Cascade Loop Adventure

Inspired to pack up your laptop and hit the road? Here are some links to kickstart your journey:

The Cascade Loop isn’t just a road trip; it’s an invitation to embrace the freedom and joy of remote work and travel. So grab your laptop, gas up your vehicle, fuel up on coffee, and hit the road—the Pacific Northwest is calling.