Nine ways to be a better tourist
Image of Mount Rainier National Park Entrance gate | Photography by Backcountry Bohemians
Welcome to our first blog post!
Rather than dive into our design or philosophy, we wanted to start things off with some of the most helpful information that we’ve learned along the way when it comes to being a better guest in a place that may be unfamiliar. Some of these are questions we didn’t think to ask about until the answers was made clear, others had hard to find answers, and a few were definitely inspired by conversations we’ve had with other cabin dwellers like JoJotastic (who btw, wrote a great blog on mountain life realities).
Ready to learn more? Let’s get started.
Review more than just the menu at local restaurants. This may sound like the least exciting thing to do while traveling, but many smaller towns have just a handful of restaurants that are only open on peak travel days/seasons and have shorter operating hours. Confirm what you’re hoping to enjoy is open while you’re there.
Plan to bring some- if not all- of your groceries with you. Yes, you will find a grocery store or two, but think locally. Many rural communities tend to have people who rely exclusively on that one grocery store in town for their needs, especially if they’re unable to travel to larger metros. A good practice is to bring your necessities with you and shop the local area for snacks or items you weren’t comfortable transporting long distances.
Check road and weather conditions regularly, do not rely on GPS for accuracy. There is no news channel and private facebook groups are how we share town updates and critical information with each other, including road conditions when GPS gets it wrong. For our area, NOAA gives the most accurate weather and WSDOT can provide information for our roadways (12 and 410 are the most noteworthy to check)
Fire season is not something to tempt the gods with, especially on the west coast. In the PNW, wildfire/smoke season is referred to as the fifth season and violating burn ban rules will often result in fines and in most cases, an automatic eviction from any place you’re staying. A recent report stated that 89% of wildfires are caused by humans, please adhere to local restrictions. In our area, we like this interactive map for up to date information.
Research trails and activities rather than asking what the best ones are. Yes, your Airbnb host or the barista at the local coffee shop knows the good spots, but because of how special those places are to said locals, they rarely share them with others. If you want to learn the secrets, look through resources like hiking guides (WTA is great for WA), travel bloggers, or stop by your local visitor center. A good follow up question is, “I read about X trail, can you tell me more about it?”
Do not feed the wildlife no matter where you are. Packwood, for example, is famous for its elk. Yes, they can be cute, but feeding them at certain times of the year can actually be deadly. Not to mention they are wild animals that can attract other wild animals and cause behavior changes.
Leave no trace (LNT). This is a standard hiking practice, but it’s a good rule of thumb while traveling. Not all rural communities have access to recycling or composting that are widely available in larger metros. Keep this in mind while you travel and check with your host if you have any questions.
Although they happen on rare occasions for only short periods of time (yes, I’m throwing salt over my shoulder and knocking on wood right as I type), power outages are a normal part of life. When that happens, credit card machines may go down and restaurants may close. Each household has their own way of managing what to do in the event of an outage. Full house generators are rare due to the cost so if you are a person who relies on electricity to keep critical items cool such as medication, we recommend you bring a small, portable cooler with you. Many households will leave freezer packs or ice in the freezer you can use to help keep items as close to the desired temperature as possible in these events.
Last but not least, be a good neighbor, not just a tourist. The town that you’re visiting is a place where people live, work, and take pride in, but it can also double as an amazing place for your enjoyment as a visitor. The best way to be a good neighbor and not just a visit? Practice empathy, it really goes a long way.
There you have it, nine ways to be a better tourist. Did we miss one that you think should be on the list? Let us know!