Category: Puget Sound Adventures

Lately we’ve been on the topic of the great outdoors. Now that I have given you my must-stop-spots for spring, along with some invigorating hikes for the winter, this blog post I’ve decided to let you in on some of my favorite essential gear for the rainy season. 

Whatever distance you are hiking, there are a few items that must be brought. The most obvious would be a backpack, preferably with a rain cover. This will allow you to bring the true essentials detailed down below.

Water, though seemingly everywhere in the PNW, is a must-have when on a hiking excursion. Often times, river and stream water is OK to drink if filtered. To ensure you are staying safe and away from any parasites, it’s always best to bring your own. 

Bringing a map, headlamp, and first aid kit starts becoming more necessary the longer the hike. As a good rule of thumb, stick to packing these items for any hike ranging over five miles long. In addition to these three, packing a way to start fire (matches, lighter, etc.), some extra food, and a knife can be a life saver, literally. 

Now that we’ve gotten the boring safety items out of the way, let’s get into the fun stuff. When it comes to the spring season, rain is almost guaranteed. With this, we want to prepare properly and avoid wet feet and cold shivers. A solid pair of water-proof boots can aid with the first problem, with a water proof outer-layer solving the next.

Trekking poles, though not used by everyone, can be helpful with avoiding slips and tumbles of freshly unburied land after the snow melt. In addition to grip, trekking poles allow you test the depth of puddles along with the stability of the upcoming path.

I hope this helped you better prepare for getting outside and enjoying the weather. Let me know if you have any questions or additional recommendations! 

When you buy a home, you are also buying the area. Most of my clients are looking to the Puget Sound to find their perfect nook around the vast waters. I figured I could offer some incredible must-stop spots to explore and connect with local communities in the Puget Sound. These five Puget Sound destinations to visit will knock your socks off!

Separating Whidbey Island from Fidalgo Island, Deception Pass is one of the most beautiful, and slightly terrifying, state parks in the Puget Sound. This destination is most famous for its high bridges that provide a spectacular view of the water. If you’re looking to explore the area on foot, getting down to the sound does not come as a challenge. Here lies jaw-dropping cliffs, secluded beaches, and immersive hikes for an all around wonderful PNW experience.

On the Puget Sound, the Point Defiance Park is a hot spot for locals and tourist alike. This park offers various hiking trails that restrict vehicles during certain times of the day for a truly enchanting experience. Another notable feature of this park would be its accessibility. In the last blog, we talked about scenic hikes, but what if you’re not a hiker? Point Defiance Park has it all offering two five-mile drive loops. This means that vehicles can drive through nature and enjoy the outdoors from the comfort of their own vehicle.

Coming into Spring, the weather is assumed to start warming up. Though, this doesn’t take away from the fact that warming up in the Puget Sound hovers around the 50’s. If your lovely home doesn’t include a hot tub, I may have the spot for you. Located in Port Angeles, the Olympic Hot Springs consists of 21 hot springs. These hot springs are surrounded by luscious rainforests making them the perfect sanctuary to destress.

The San Juan islands are a unique set of neighboring islands with rich cultures and communities.  Though these islands offer many different adventures, Lopez Island stands out from the crowd. There are many museums, shops, and cafes located on the island though it is most notable for its cycling. Starting in April, Lopez Island offers four routes at 5, 12, 17, and 31 miles. Whatever your pace, the “Tour de Lopez” is an invigorating experience you can’t miss out on!

One of the best things about Washington State is that there is no off-season for outdoor recreation! When it comes to hiking, many favorite trails are open in the winter months, providing hikers with a completely new experience to the surrounding landscape compared to the summer.

Here are four of the best winter hikes around the state!

Palouse Falls State Park
Eastern Washington

Travel the 1.2-mile gravel loop around the canyon to enjoy every view of this beautiful frozen waterfall! To make the most of this winter spot, take advantage of the short trail and make it a sunset hike, enjoying the magic of the sun setting over the canyon rim. The trailhead starts at Palouse Falls State Park in Franklin County and is classified as moderate difficulty with an elevation gain of 50-200 feet.

Sol Duc Falls
Olympic National Park

Starting at the North Side of Olympic National Park, this short 1.6-mile out-and-back trail does not disappoint! One of the best parts about this location is that it is situated in a rainforest, so it remains open mostly all year long. Though hikers may not find snow, this trail provides the rainforest experience, waterfalls and even hot springs at a nearby resort! With the difficulty level classified as easy and an elevation gain of 200 feet, is the perfect spot for families and first-time hikers!

Gold Creek Pond
Snoqualmie Pass

Located in the Snoqualmie Pass area of the Cascade Mountains, this short loop has a 2.3 miles out-and-back trail that is a great spot for scenic winter views of the lake and surrounding evergreens! Because of the elevation level, this trail is almost guaranteed to have snow all winter long. With 100 feet of elevation gain and a difficulty level classified as easy, this is the perfect place for snowshoeing beginners!

Lake Wenatchee State Park
East Stevens Pass

With a classified difficulty level of very easy, a trail length of about half a mile and less than 50 feet elevation, our easiest hike on the list does not disappoint when it comes to winter scenery! Located in East Stevens Pass, Lake Wenatchee State Park provides breath-taking views of a snow and ice-covered Emerald Island located in the middle of the lake! Though the trail is easy, be sure to bring a backpack to keep your hands free to climb over a few rocks and fallen trees.

Safety First

Proper preparation for any outdoor activity is always of the utmost importance, so make sure to pack the following essentials:

• Warm clothing
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• First Aid Kit
• Flashlight
• Water and food supplies

Happy hiking!

With the last weeks of August slowing burning out, there is one major summer treat we are holding onto – produce!

There is nothing better than fresh produce, and August provides an abundance of in-season fruits and vegetables (and let’s face it, nothing beats berry season)! Another huge bonus of summer produce this year is that farmers markets are a safe alternative to indoor grocery shopping and it supports small businesses.

Take advantage of what is in season and try out some new recipes this August that are perfect for any outdoor grilling night!

Drinks

Spicy Jalapeño Watermelon Margaritas

Fresh Bellini Cocktail

Soups

Zucchini Corn Chowder

Tomato and Watermelon Gazpacho

Salads

Grilled Corn and Peach Cobb Salad

Summer Squash Grain Salad with Corn and Feta

Entrees

Roasted Pepper, Nectarine and Ricotta Grilled Pizza

Tex Mex Rice and Beans with Zucchini

Desserts

Balsamic Stone Fruit Sundae

Mixed Berry Crisp (Gluten Free)

Grab your fresh produce and support small businesses and visit your local farmers market! Happy cooking!

New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. What better way to celebrate than to host an NYE gathering of your own?  Let’s kick off the new year with a gathering that best fits you. Here are a few fun ways to ring in the new year:

Game Night

No need to get all dressed up for this one. Invite a few friends over for a fun game night, family friendly or adults only, you decide. Make it a PJ party and stay up late playing games prior to ringing in the new year with those you love!

Cozy Night at Home

This is perfect for those who are homebodies. If the idea of a larger gathering brings you stress, then make it a cozy night in to watch the ball drop. Snuggle up with your loved one and fur babies, and ring in the new year the coziest way there is. Don’t be afraid to say “Happy New Year” on East Coast time and hit the hay early!

Themed Night

Great Gatsby, Black Tie, Prom, 80’s Throwback or Disco Fever are just a few ideas for a themed NYE party. Get creative with this one. Pinterest is a fantastic place to find some great décor and food ideas for this festive night.

Dance Party

That’s right, you heard me. Who wouldn’t want to have a living room dance party? Make a playlist full of your favorite dance music, clear the floor, string some lights and dance the night away until it’s time to say “Happy New Year!”.

Whichever gathering you choose to have, make it a great one. Let’s start 2020 off right! Here is a yummy mocktail and cocktail drink recipe to get your NYE party going:

Holiday Pomegranate Mojito Mocktail

Ingredients:
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
4 lime wedges
10 mint leaves
Ice
4 ounces pomegranate juice
8 ounces club soda
Pomegranate seeds
2 highball glasses

Directions:

• In a small saucepan, heat the water and sugar over high heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a boil. Set aside and let it cool.
• Place two lime wedges, five mint leaves and half of the simple syrup mixture in each glass. Muddle the ingredients together to infuse the flavors. Add in the ice and pomegranate seeds. Then, pour two ounces of pomegranate juice in each glass, followed by about four ounces of club soda. Stir well.
• Garnish the tops of the drinks with extra mint and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Original Recipe from The Butter Half

Cinnamon Bourbon Apple Cider

Ingredients:
Fresh apple cider
Your favorite Bourbon or Whiskey
Cinnamon sugar for the rim
Rosemary Sprigs
Fresh, sliced apples for garnish

Directions: 

• Mix equal parts of cinnamon and sugar on a small plate. Dip the rim of your glass in apple cider and then onto the plate with cinnamon sugar.
• Mix 2 parts bourbon and 4 parts apple cider in a microwave safe glass for about 20-25 seconds, making sure it doesn’t get too hot. If you’d like your drink iced {as shown above}, feel free to skip this step!
• Add a slice of fresh apple and a rosemary sprig to your glass and enjoy!

Original Recipe from Charmingly Styled

With the holidays upon us, we often look for fun festive activities for all ages. There are so many great Puget Sound holiday events from now until the holiday season ends. Here are just a few festive fun ideas for you and your family and friends to enjoy.

Downtown for the Holidays Kickoff!

Enjoy a day full of festivities including horse drawn wagon rides, hot chocolate, Jingle Bell Parade, a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus and the annual tree lighting ceremony at Sylvester Park.

When: Sunday, December 1^st from 1:00pm-4:00pm

Where: Downtown Olympia

Oly On Ice

The local ice skating rink is back for it’s second year of fun. This pop-up ice skating rink brings fun for all ages!

When: November 22 – January 17

Where: Isthmus Park

529 4^th Ave W

Olympia, WA 98502 

Lacey Parade of Lights

Come watch local businesses and families in the parade of lights. Enjoy some hot cocoa, popcorn and visit with Santa Claus. Lighting of the Christmas tree to follow.

When: Monday, December 2^nd @ 6:30pm

Where: Huntamer Park

618 Woodland Square Lp SE

Lacey, WA 98503

Oly Toy Run

Enjoy thousands of motorcyclists from all over coming together to ride and bring donations of toys to children in need for the holiday season. There’s something nostalgic about watching riders of all ages and groups come together to not only bring smiles to kids faces, but admirers as well.

When: Saturday, December 7^th @ 1:00pm

Where: Parade starts at Marathon Park

1011 Deschutes Parkway SW

Olympia, WA 98502

Click here for the route map

Parade of Lighted Ships

One of the most popular and longest events of the holiday season is the Parade of Lighted Ships brought to you by the Olympia Yacht Club. Head down to the Port Plaza to enjoy.

When: Saturday, December 7^th @ 6pm

Where: Port Plaza

701 Columbia St NW

Olympia, WA 98501

Pet Pictures with Santa

This one is for your furbabies. Santa will be at Kiperts Korner Feed in Tumwater for pictures with your pets. So bring your furry little one in their Christmas best!

When: Saturday, December 14^th from 10:00am-1:00pm

Where: Kiperts Korner Feed

8439 Old HWY 99 SE

Tumwater, WA 98501

Snowflake Saturday

Learn all about snowflakes, the science behind snow and ice. The kids, and adults, can make fun snowflake crafts as well!

When: Saturday, December 21 from 10:00am-4:00pm

Where: WET Center

500 Adams Street St

Olympia, WA 98501

 

One of my favorite parts of living in the Olympia area is the close proximity to the ocean, mountains, and big cities. Although Olympia has plenty to explore in its 20 square miles, there is even more to see beyond its borders. Let’s take a closer look at some of the fun small towns here in Northwestern Washington.

Ocean Shores and Westport:

Located an hour and a half west of Olympia, Ocean Shores and Westport are two little beach towns ready for a weekend break. Now that summer is upon us, the sandy beaches are a perfect way to cool down when the temperatures climb. For Star Wars fans, stop in Aberdeen at the Star Wars Shop and pick up some memorabilia before hitting the coast.

When you arrive at the beach, take some time to surf or make a small fire. Hot dogs taste incredible next to the ocean. If you are at Westport, grab some ice cream on the boardwalk and watch the fishermen bring in the days catch. At Ocean Shores, pop by the strip mall and grab a tee shirt commemorating your trip. You can also take a picture next to the giant shark at Sharky’s.

To cap off the day, grab dinner at Galway Bay in Ocean Shores (the chicken pasty is incredible) or pop into the Westport Winery for sandwiches and a few wine samples.

Port Townsend and Port Angeles:

Located around 2 hours northwest of Olympia sits Port Townsend and Port Angeles. These small towns are home to history and adventure. In Port Angeles, there is a delightful drive thru fudge shop called WeDo fudge. The staff is great and the fudge is delicious. The city also hosts a lavender festival in mid July so bring your cameras and enjoy the calming plant.

In between the two towns is Troll Haven, a wacky destination filled with carved, wooden trolls. They make an excellent photo spot and the kids will have a great time exploring the grounds. The property is great for weddings and other special events in this warm season.

As a final stop, check out Port Townsend. Their downtown has excellent antique shops and a beautiful waterfront. They also have a great art and history museum complete with an old jail in the basement. According to some, the downstairs is haunted, so visit at your own risk. Before you head out, be sure to drive through the historical district and look at the beautiful old homes.

Steilacoom:

Just a 20 minute drive north of Olympia sits the small town of Steilacoom. This spot sits on the banks of Puget Sound and has an excellent historical property at the center. Check out the old houses and feel transported to the early days of the region.

After you see the houses, walk and rest down at the waterfront. The large pathways are a great place to catch up with a friend and even sit for a picnic! If restaurants are more your thing, head into Steilacoom Pub and Grill. Situated on a hill, eat with a great view of the water and islands.

Regardless of where you go, Western Washington has a lot of great towns to visit. Take your time in each spot and try out the local cuisine. If you meet anyone during your travels, don’t forget to invite them to Olympia and check out both the downtown and Capital!

 

If you’re new to the area, visiting or have lived here for a while, you should know that the Puget Sound has some fantastic local spots! Whether you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, authentic Mexican cuisine or an excellent glass of wine, we’ve got you covered. Here are 12 local Puget Sound restaurants you need to visit when you’re in the Olympia area.

The Bread Peddler

The Bread Peddler is a yummy local bakery with delicious treats and breads. Their breads and pastries are made daily to guarantee freshness and deliciousness. Not only can you go there for baked goods, they also serve homemade classic French style breakfasts and lunch dishes that are out of this world good using fresh, local produce. Offering home roasted espresso and hand shaped artisan breads, they have a passion for their craft and a commitment to quality. You can find them in the cute 222 Market in downtown Olympia.

Eagan’s Drive-In

This old-fashioned themed burger joint is the place to go when you’re looking for a delicious, juicy fresh made burger. Eagan’s Drive-In is a great place to take the family for a delicious meal.  They offer fresh food and homemade milkshakes that are the best in town.  Don’t forget their special homemade goop sauce!

Mercato

Mercato Ristorante is an upscale casual restaurant that focuses on simple, fresh Italian cuisine. Mercato has something for everyone. Your taste buds will dance with excitement when you try their pear gorgonzola salad, homemade butternut squash ravioli or any of their appetizers that are large enough to be a meal.  This space is fantastic for business meetings, date nights or a meal with the family.

Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar

Do you like shellfish? Then you’ll LOVE Chelsea Farms Oyster Bar. Starting out as a family of local shellfish farmers, they have now expanded and opened this oyster bar with a menu to please all shellfish and seafood lovers. Their clam chowder is amazing and they offer steak cooked to perfection. Chelsea Farms is located in the 222 Market in the heart of downtown Olympia in a cute new modern space. At Chelsea Farms, you’ll find a superb dining experience for all ages.

La Gitana

La Gitana is the place to go for authentic Italian wood fired pizza. When you walk in, you’re immediately greeted with a romantic atmosphere – string lights, fresh roses, local art displayed on their brick accent walls and live jazz music every third Saturday. Using fresh and organic ingredients, their pizza is some of the best in town. Don’t forget to finish your meal with a delicious homemade dessert (affogato, anyone!?).

Oly Rockfish Grill

Oly Rockfish Grill serves up an amazing breakfast menu offering six different kinds of benedict. Not an early riser? Don’t worry, they serve breakfast until 2 p.m. Oly Rockfish is family-friendly.  The front of the restaurant provides seating for small or large groups and is also perfect for a date night with their lounge-like atmosphere in the back. Their drinks are definitely worth talking about.

Hart’s Mesa

Hart’s Mesa is an authentic Mexican restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer a variety of vegetarian and vegan options. You’ll find amazing portion sizes, a fantastic happy hour menu and budget-friendly prices. Their newer downtown location is a favorite spot for all ages. You’ll be hard pressed to find something on their menu that you don’t love.

Rumors Wine Bar

Located in the heart of downtown, Rumors Wine Bar is all about wine and the folks savoring it.  Their delicious and intriguing wines are carefully selected from vineyards all over the world. Specials are offered daily as well as wine tastings and classes year-round. Recently moving from their smaller space on 4th Ave. to a spacious location at the corner of 5th Ave. and Washington St., they have the ability to serve more patrons, be better than ever and still provide the same wonderful customer service and attention to detail that they always have.

Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen

At Don Juan’s Mexican Kitchen, every dish is made with fresh local ingredients to satisfy your craving for authentic Mexican cuisine. With two locations, one in Olympia and one in Tenino, they have their menu down, including some of the best guacamole in town! You can sample their variety of delicious hot sauces before you decide what you want on your wet burrito. When you’re in the mood for an ice cold margarita, you can’t go wrong with Don Juan’s.

Mekong

Mekong offers authentic Thai food. They have superb prices, great portions and tasty food. This restaurant is in the heart of downtown making it easy to walk to from any downtown destination. With plenty of seating, this family-friendly restaurant won’t break the bank. Not sure what to order? You can’t go wrong with the chicken curry or pad Thai. Don’t eat meat? No problem. They offer plenty of vegetarian and vegan options as well.

Uncork and Unwind

You’ll find Uncork and Unwind in an old Tumwater home converted into a quaint wine bar and restaurant. They offer wine tastings throughout the month, a wine club and their own book club! With a wide variety of wine and beer, a small but delicious menu and expert staff, you’re bound to find something you love.

Meconi’s Subs and Sandwiches

Welcome to the “East Coast Style” Italian sub shop. Meconi’s Subs and Sandwiches is the place to go for a sub sandwich. Their daily, fresh baked fluffy bread, tasty meats and cheeses, oregano and in-house oil drizzle make their sandwiches some of the best you’ve ever tasted.  This budget-and-family-friendly restaurant will keep you coming back for more.

There’s a little bit of something for everyone here in the Olympia area.  Not only is it a fantastic area to visit, but an even better place to live. Keep an eye out for more posts like this with other hot spots in the Puget Sound!

Interested in moving to the area? Let me help! Contact me today to schedule a consultation.