Whidbey Island

Whidbey is one of my favorite islands in the Sound.  Deception Pass was one of the first day trips my family took when we moved here from California, and years later we discovered the quaint little coastal towns of Langley and Coupeville. Whidbey is the largest island in Washington and 4th largest in the lower 48 states. It's known history dates back to 1792 when it was first discovered by Joseph Whidbey and Peter Puget. Later settled by Isaac Ebey, a potato and wheat farmer who rowed daily across the inlet to work as Postmaster for Port Townsend...busy guy. The north end of the island's economy is cultivated by the Navy base and home to many military families, while the south end is marked by tourism and home to many working artists, writers, musicians and performers. Penn Cove, famous for it's Mussel Farm offers 27 varieties of freshly harvested shellfish...if you're into sort of thing. If you're a NW gardener, keep your eyes open for all the independent nurseries, my mom particularly likes Cultus Bay. And if you're a pizza lover (who isn't??), you gotta check out Langley's Village Pizzeria and get the Sicilian Crust.

Your tummy will be so full when you leave. 

 Downtown Coupeville's main street is lined with shops and restaurants, 

such as the craveable Knead and Feed.

 Jeremy and I have gotten to bike the trails at Fort Ebey a couple times, 

the Bluff Trail is the most scenic we've ridden yet, 

also great for walkers, this is must for any Washingtonian.

 Killing time, taking photos while Jeremy got the bikes ready.

 Got in some Disc Golf at the newly constructed Fort Nugent Park.

 Deception Pass

 Walking the Beach

 Keep your eyes open for wildlife

 A cheerful little chipper at our campsite.

Whether you've been here or not, I hope you will get to spend some time on this island gem. Enjoy! 

Cama Beach State Park - Camano Island

As winter approaches we have to get creative about weekend getaways since tent camping and hotelling it are not really an option. A few years ago I learned about the newly renovated cabins at Cama Beach State Park on Camano Island. We were pretty stoked to stay in a cabin with electricity for $17/night! (We later learned that there had been a pricing error, and the next year rates went up considerably, ranging now between $49-$159/night.) Formerly a private fishing resort until 1989, the park holds: 33 facilities ranging from Standard Cabins to Deluxe Bungalows, a very clean community bathroom and even the educational Center for Wooden Boats. The beach, known for it's clamming and crabbing, looks across the Saratoga Passage to the beautiful Whidbey Island in the distance.

 Such friendly little cabins.  Ours was conveniently located directly in front 

of the bathrooms, which came in handy for being in my third trimester!

 I was not expecting a sink, microwave and refrigerator... 

what a welcome surprise!

Click here for more pictures.

The vintage fill up station at the north end of the park. 

We did not get a chance to visit the Camano Island Coffee Roasters, but we did a drive-by and it looked pretty cool. We instead hit Blackbird Bakery Cafe in Stanwood on our way out of town. I think they served Zoka or Cafe Vita...anyway, it was a cute little shop with glowy lanterns in the windows. 

Camano Island is one of the lesser populated and developed islands in the Sound, with 56 miles of pristine beach and conveniently attached to the mainland by a bridge. This is a close-to-home vacation destination, which you will leave more refreshed than when you came. Happy Clamming!

Ferndale

Last October we had the opportunity to spend a blustery weekend up north on my In-Law's boat. It had been docked all summer in the cutest little private marina in Ferndale. A small town, just north of Bellingham, rich with farmland and a few other unexpected interests.

Along the Centennial Riverwalk Park, 

a newly paved trail through town.

 Saturday morning Farmer's Market. One vendor offers freshly prepared
breakfast sandwiches, while Barb's Pies and Pastries, the local bakery
serve the most adorable individual pastry pies.

 This historical museum park was such a treat to walk through, 

especially for us West Coasters who rarely get to see 

100 year old homesteads.

 For a unique small wedding, you can actually rent the church 

for your big day.  Click here for more details.

 Summer and School Tours offer children an opportunity to learn how 

to be a pioneer kid including: dipping candles, grinding grain, gathering 

eggs, visiting a one room schoolhouse and learning how mail was delivered.

We got coffee here on our way to Lynden, one of my favorite towns for 

another post.  Get that cozy feel of a rustic lodge for a 3 dollar coffee...

that's a pretty good deal.  Coffee itself is of typical franchise caliber, 

not Capitol Hill, but it gets the job done. 

Puyallup Fair

Since I was a young girl, the Puyallup Fair has been the coronation of the Autumn season.  We always went opening day before noon to get free admission. Even though it is pretty much the same year after year, it is the tradition I crave at summer's end as the air begins to crisp.  Everyone has their agenda for the fair, ours includes anything free: entertainment at the Coca-Cola Stage, and samples at the Vita Mix booth, Wilcox chocolate milk, and that delicious Caramel Corn from Eastern Washington. While I would be okay with packing a lunch to save a few bucks, Jeremy needs fair food, and I do enjoy those Fisher scones. We like to cast a vote for the People's Choice Award in Painting and Photography; I drool over the quilts and critique award winning baked goods to make myself feel better about the ribbons I haven't won. :) And with a little guy, looking at the animals are suddenly more fun.

Pygmy Goats at the Petting Zoo

 Rides, Rides, Rides...

 I've wanted to eat here since the very first time I went to the fair...

finally got my wish--it was awesome.

 Look at that sauce!

 We tried the deep fried Snicker bar, it was pretty incredible, 

I think we will try the deep fried OREOs next time.

For everything else you need to know including Parking tips and Discounts, click here.

Pumpkin Patches

It's been awhile since I last blogged, I've been busy growing bones, cartilage and other vital organs for baby #2 due spring 2012--Yay! I am loving the cooler weather blowing in, spiced candles and baking anything with cinnamon. We are already planning our October Saturdays...our favorite Saturdays of the year. One of which we plan to visit our local pumpkin patch: Spooner Farms in the small town of Orting, a great place to take a scenic drive or bike the Foothills Trail in the Fall. Each year they boast a creative Corn Maze, Pony Rides, Pumpkin Sling Shots, Face Painting, Farm Animals, the new Rope Maze, over 50 varieties of U-Pick Pumpkins, Squash and Gourds, Concessions and an adorable Gift Shop to browse. We loved going as adults, and enjoy it even more with a little one. Good luck finding a parking spot as this is a very happening place and wear your galoshes!

So many fun things for kids to see.

This was from the corn maze a couple years ago: 

"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe".

Western Washington is full of great pumpkin patches. Other farms of note:

Remlinger Farms for North Sounders, and fun for the whole family: Train Rides, Kids Corn Maze, Carnival Rides, Gift Shop, Market and Cafe. One of the most scenic drives in Western WA: HWY 203/202 between Monroe and North Bend, if you have the time, you will not be disappointed!

Maris Farms' claim to fame: the Haunted Woods and Night Corn Maze, more suitable for tweens, teens and adults.

For a regional listing of Washington State Pumpkin Patches click here.

Port Townsend

A few months ago, my sweet Great-Uncle Ralph passed away who had lived in Port Townsend for many years. We attended the wake at his home and enjoyed looking through photos from his youth with his beautiful bride, my Aunt Gladys. On our way home we stopped in town to see the shops. It had been several years since our last visit and noticed some changes. The Tyler Street Coffee House we had so liked was out of business, giving room for other shops to emerge.

 Best Find of the Day: The UnderTown Coffee Bar and Cafe. 

Located in the basement of a brick building, with an eclectic, European feel, 

and plenty of space to find your own corner and enjoy some good 

espresso roasted by Stumptown . Definitely one of the coolest 

coffee shops I've ever been in.

Three rooms altogether connected by brick archways...pretty cool.

 Perfect Ending Cupcakes, rightfully named is the new and only
cupcake shop in town with a simple menu that will make any age
happy. We got to meet the owner LaTrecia who bakes her heart
and soul into these beautiful, sugary treats.

The Rose Theater, a local company dedicated to the arts

offers popular, independent, and foreign films; Special Events including:
plays, operas, orchestras and an annual Film Festival.

Better Living through Coffee, a lively, shop with a view, offers 

live music, locally roasted beans, breakfast and lunch items, special 

events such as: Story Night, Sunday Morning Music and Fiddle Tunes.

A colorful cityscape full of antique charm.

For everything else you need to know about the lovely city, click here.

Bend, Oregon

One of our best camping trips was back in September of 2008, when I was just moving into the 2nd trimester and getting over morning sickness with our son. My family and I had vacationed in Bend a few years before and enjoyed it so much, I was anxious to take Jeremy and relive some of those great memories and make new ones for ourselves.

The trip started with a night in Portland and good friends. 

We heard about Voodoo Doughnuts and well, Jeremy needed 

to try the "Captain my Captain". We also got the Mountain Dew  

and my favorite, French Cruellers.

 We came early September and did not realize that East of the Cascades 

would be so frigid after the sun went down. We spent our first night awake, 

shivering until 5:30am when we decided to go find a coffee shop. 

We found this gem, Thump, in the artsy downtown. I loved the cozy decor, 

they had wooden slats hanging from the ceiling that guests had written 

their wishes on: my favorites were "that Bryan Adams would come 

to Bend" and one a child had written "for families to have a good time". 

 Thankfully, the yurt next to our campsite opened up and we moved on in. 

Tumalo State Park was awesome, close to town, but near the Deschutes 

River for early morning fishing. Our neighbors were the nicest camp host 

you'd ever meet, he brought us chips and a bowl of his freshly roasted salsa.

 One of the many parks you can hike or ride.

 One of the highlights, the Lava Caves. 

Bring a jacket! Not for closterfobes!

 This was a fun trail to ride which followed the edge of the lava flow, 

you can also drive to the beautiful Benham Falls.

 We took a day to visit Sisters, and got in a game of Disc Golf.

 Got to fly fish the Metolius. Yikes, the white balance is way off!?!

Oh yeah.

 Best find in Bend, The Sparrow Bakery, 

tucked away, all by itself, this rustic little bakery.

A uniquely gourmet menu.

   

The River Trail which extends for miles along the Deschutes River 

is a peaceful walk in town with beautiful homes and gardens to drool over.

In all our travels, Bend is the one place Jeremy says he could settle. We learned that a few years ago Donald Trump was asked where to invest money, his answer: Bend, OR. The town has seen tremendous growth in the last decade and continues to thrive. The Old Mill district is a unique shopping center with a lot of your favorite stores. Other local attractions: the popular ski resort at Mt. Bachelor; the touristy Sun River and the rock climbing hub at Smith Rock.

For more information on things to do, places to stay, food to eat, click here.