It's feeling very springlike in Seattle today. Perhaps that's why my thoughts keep turning to outside... The smell of ponderosa pine in the eastern cascades.

The color of a Tiger Lilly on the Ingalls Creek Trail, and the taste of wild morrel mushroom risotto topped with a slab of roasted wild salmon on a WTA Volunteer Vacation...

Are you looking for a unique and meaningful vacation for yourself or your family this year? Look no further - I've got it all taken care of.

See, every spring and summer Washington Trails Association (WTA) hosts week-long trail work parties called Volunteer Vacations. Volunteers from all over Washington and sometimes, all over the country, join with WTA for a week of volunteer trail maintenance in premiere backcountry locations.

On a Volunteer Vacation, you'll do a little trail work during the day. As part of a trail crew of about 12 wonderful people, you might be rebuilding some trail tread, installing drainage structures, brushing and lopping or logging-out with crosscut saw. In the morning and in the evening the volunteers take turns doing in-camp chores like helping the cook, washing dishes and pumping water.

But there will be plenty of time left over to sleep, eat, hike, read and relax – and all those other "vacationy" things.No, our volunteers don't eat recalled peanut butter trail bars for dinner- far from it! How do you like fresh huckleberry pancakes and fruit for breakfast? Or hearty pasta with crisp salads for dinner? Our cooks can accommodate most hearty appetites and dietary needs.

WTA's Volunteer Vacations are just $150 ($125 for WTA members) and that includes all meals. See our full listing of Frequently Asked Questions for more information on applying, payment, the menu and a typical schedule.So, where are we "vacationing" this year? We've got 32 adult Volunteer Vacations and 11 youth Volunteer Vacations on the schedule for 2009, so there is surely a trip to fit every schedule and interest. Here are a few of my favorites.