Becca’s Best: Top 10 Northwest Escapes

I have had a lot of friends tell me their kids are causing extreme sleep deprivation in their lives as well.  What is going on with kids these days???  So I think it is time to share this post about some great places you can getaway (by car) weekend with just you and your honey.  I am 100% sure you deserve it.  Don’t feel bad for your kids.  They will surely benefit from you having the opportunity to rejuvenate!

Again, I start this travel post with the disclaimer that these are my own opinions, and as I sadly have not been everywhere I would like to have gone, this will most definitely not be an all-inclusive list of the amazing places the Northwest has to offer.  Since people are often ask my recommendations, I am writing a post, but please please tell me what places you feel should be on the list and I will gladly check them out!

1. Whistler, BC

This is hands down my favorite place to vacation–really with family, friends, or with your spouse–anytime of year.  It has something for everyone, no matter what you like to do.  Great shops.  Great restaurants.  Amazing skiing (the largest resort in North America).  The craziest mountain biking.  Gorgeous scenery. And so many beautiful hotels, resorts, condos, spas, vacation rentals, that I promise whatever you are seeking for your vacation, you can find it here.

Yes, you need your passport (or an enhanced driver’s license) and yes, you may have to wait for awhile at the border, but once you pass Vancouver you won’t regret it.  The Sea-to-Sky Highway is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on.

2. Salish Lodge, WA

If you are looking for something a little closer to home, then THIS is my favorite for that (I guess, that is if you live close to me anyway).  Aaron and I went here for a belated valentine’s celebration after I returned from one of my worst business trips ever.  I got kicked out of my hotel in Kuwait, kicked off the airplane trying to fly to Bahrain, snowed in & chased down by strange men in Istanbul, sick getting ready for my return, and luggage lost on flight home.  To say I was wiped out physically and emotionally was putting it mildly.

Then…the next day we walked into the Salish Lodge to the overwhelming and comforting smell of cedar and then into our room where they had relaxation music playing and a fire already roaring for us.  I started to restore almost immediately.  We headed to the spa and even though we were too cheap to pay for any of the treatments, we still were able to enjoy the therapeutic soaking pool, sauna and steam rooms before heading to what I am not kidding is the most delicious dinner I have ever had.  Pricey? Undoubtedly–our dinner and breakfast were just as much as our room for the night!  But worth every penny.  If you ever see the deal they sometimes sell at Costco, snatch it up!  I know I am going to.

3. Sun Mountain Lodge, WA

So this one is out in the middle of NOWHERE (about a five hour drive from here and an hour and a half north of Chelan)!  My parents always talked about how much they loved going there for conferences and Aaron and I finally found a reason to check it out too.  Because it is so far off the beaten path, you definitely feel like you are “escaping.”  It has a great perch overlooking the Methow Valley, which is filled with mountain biking and hiking for all levels, and is just a short drive from Winthrop, which is a tiny western-style town with lots of cool festivals throughout the year.

4. Sunriver Resort, OR

After making this whole list I realized somehow I only ended up with one Oregon place on it.  I guess I need to escape to Oregon more often!!  We really love the Sunriver/Bend area–it is another place that has something fun to do all year round.  It is only a 20 minute drive from great skiing at Mt. Bachelor.  I hear the golfing is great, though I’m not that into that myself, but we did have a fabulous time rafting the Deschutes River!

5. Alderbrook Resort, WA

At just under an hour drive, this is the closest one on my list for us Olympia folks.  It sits right on the hood canal, so feel free to take your sea plane or your yacht to get there. 🙂 I wish.  It’s location is perfect to hit up one of the awesome hikes on the Olympia Peninsula (Mt. Ellinor is next on my list), take a kayak or sailboat out right from their dock, or just relax and enjoy the view of the Olympia mountains.

Their restaurant is another one you won’t want to miss.  Oh man, looking at their menu made me just want to head out there just for some food right now.  Anyone up for a double date?! 🙂

6. Victoria, BC

Please tell me I am not the only one who looks at this picture and is mentally taken to some fairytale place where dreams always come true and everyone lives happily ever after.  Isn’t that what we need to be promised in our getaway weekends?  Before going myself, I had heard people talk about Butchart Gardens with such wonder and wondered how they could lavish such praise on a garden.  I am certainly no garden aficionado and wasn’t too interested in going, but since everyone insisted, Aaron and I decided to check it out.

I LOVED it–couldn’t take enough pictures and never wanted to leave.  Victoria has this and countless other cool things to do and see and romantic places to stay–some quaint and some fancy, many of which offer afternoon tea…a specialty of the flagship hotel The Empress.  We took the ferry and not The Clipper, so if anyone has done that, I am curious to hear how that is.

7. Roche Harbor, San Juan Island

Two Island destinations in a row (and one more at the end!).  Don’t know if that is an indication of what I like or of what our geography has to offer.  The San Juans are a very popular place to get away, and San Juan Island is the most popular of them, so if you want to get away from the “hustle and bustle” of Friday Harbor, just head north to Roche Harbor.  You will have all the same popular options of kayaking, biking, whale watching, but from a fresh perspective.

8. The Davenport, Spokane, WA

I don’t really talk much about cities when I talk about escaping, but since I know there are some who prefer that to the outdoors (though I don’t know how), I thought I would compromise and include an awesome hotel in a smaller city.  I am sure Seattle has some great hotels too, but since I lived up there for awhile it doesn’t feel like much of an escape.  This is a gorgeous, historic hotel right in downtown Spokane that will take you back in time.  Yet it is still within walking distance of the Riverfront Park, the mall, the movie theaters, and all that to keep you entertained in modern times.

9. The Sleeping Lady, Leavenworth, WA

 

Since I talked about Leavenworth a bit in my last adventure post, I won’t dwell too much but to say it is another place that has something to do no matter what time of year you go or what kind of people you go with.  It can be a fun family vacation or a great romantic getaway.  I like this hotel for more romance because it is away from town, closer to the canyon and right on Icicle Creek, with “sustainable gourmet cuisine” and a great spa.

10. Tofino, B.C.

Chances are, even if you have been in Washington for a long time, you may never have heard of this place.  Truth be told, I am not even sure how I heard about this place!  And honestly I don’t even know how I can call it a local getaway since the driving time alone is 9 hours, and on top of that you will have to wait for a ferry.  But if you break it down and check out Victoria or the San Juans on your way/way back like Aaron and I did when we went, you would have quite the adventure.

Besides, the drive across Vancouver Island to the westside is all part of the getting away experience.  You will definitely feel like you are leaving all civilization and life as you know it behind.  We saw all sorts of whales, seals, sea lions, BEARS (yes, just on the side of the road!), hot springs, rain forest.  We weren’t there at the right time, but supposedly they even have awesome storm watching and surfing in the winter, if you are up for an adventure.

Okay, I think this is officially the longest post I have ever done on this blog…hope you had the stamina to sit through it and got some great ideas of places to escape with your “eternal cream puff” as my sisters used to always say.  If you have favorite places that I didn’t talk about, please share them with the rest of us!

 

Hicka-what? And Other Under-Appreciated Vegetables

I recently took a vegetable tray to a church function instead of my usual plate of goodies.  I know…gasp!  What is to become of me.  Who knew what a stir it would cause.  Any of you recognize this little veggie?  Everyone kept asking me what it was and seemed even more confused when I told them.

It is usually in the part of the grocery store with all the less popular vegetables.  Broccoli, asparagus, potatoes, all get their spotlight out in front but these stay tucked in the corner with turnips, rutabagas, beets, etc.  If you are still clueless, I will just give you the answer.  It’s a jicama!  Pronounced Hick-a-ma, and though people were leery to try it, everyone that did liked it.  It was one of the random foods that we got well acquainted with during Aaron’s cleanse and I just wanted to post about it to encourage all of you to give it a chance.

Just peel it, cut it into matchsticks, and dip it in hummus or ranch or whatever your favorite is.  Or toss it on salads and it will add a nice sweet crunch with minimal calories.  Honestly I even just love it plain for a nighttime snack when I don’t want to eat too much before bed.  Of course there are real recipes you could try it with, but so far that’s all I have done and I’ve loved it.  I’ll report back when I take it to the next level.  Or you could.

 

Speaking of parsnips, this is another vegetable you should add into your rotation.  You can use them in place of potatoes for a similar consistency with a sweeter taste but fewer carbs and calories.  They are terrific mashed, as oven baked fries, or roasted as a medley with some other neglected vegetables.

The last lucky vegetable for today’s spotlight is Collard Greens.  Even though I am from the South, I can’t say that I have eaten too many of these in my day.  Of course, Aaron says Texas is not really the South, so maybe that is why.  I also can’t say that I love these straight up like I do the last two veggies, but since they are REALLY good for you and this recipe below, from Aaron’s cleanse, took the bitterness out of them and made them yummy, I thought I would share.

What are your favorite random veggies?  Or favorite random ways to cook “normal” veggies?

Coconut Collard Greens

• 1½ tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ medium onion, diced
• ½ bunch collard greens, stems removed, cut into ½-inch strips
• ¼ cup coconut milk
• 1 dash Himalayan salt (to taste; optional)

Directions

1. Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown and very soft.
2. Add collard greens and coconut milk; cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes, or until greens are very tender.
3. Add salt (if desired)

Those Last Ten Pounds

Looks like I made it through a whole week without a post.  I did, however, have PLENTY of sleep deprivation…and I wonder why I have been having more difficulty reaching my health and fitness goals these days!!!  I learned at General Conference that

Being in good physical condition comes at a price, and that price is dedication, perseverance, and self-discipline.

I know, maybe not spiritual, but maybe it IS because our bodies and spirits are connected!  So it is time for me to step up my perseverance and wanted to invite any of you to join me.  I have been haphazardly working out and haphazardly eating healthy, but I need some more structure and definitely more accountability.

So I am going to officially start the Beachbody Challenge and hope some of you ladies will do it with me.  I am thinking about Insanity, but am up for your suggestions.  Then we can have a Facebook fitness group where we can keep each other motivated by sharing our workout experiences and healthy recipes.

So comment, email, text me whatever if you are interested and we can help each other meet our goals!!!

P.S. Sorry if you got a message on Facebook and here and feel stalked, but I am ready to get going on this (maybe November 4th??) so talk to me soon.

 

Conquering Cravings Part III

Remember The Land Before Time?  I was 8 when it came out and LOVED it.  Did you know that it was followed by TWELVE direct to video musical sequels?  They are pretty much all on Netflix right now and my kids are loving them.  I, on the other hand…not so much.  As with all too many sequels these days, they definitely should have quit while they were ahead (Tokyo Drift, anyone??).  Hopefully this conquering cravings issue does not take the same path.

 

I will readily admit I am not the most technically savvy person, nor am I up on the latest trends by any means.  I mean, don’t judge me but I don’t even have a smart phone!  So it took me awhile to realize I was not utilizing Pinterest to its fullest capacity.  I was pretty much just following my friends, but then one day I wanted to pin a recipe I saw in my Cooking Light magazine instead of ripping out the page and sticking it in my overflowing expandable file of recipes to try.

And it dawned on me…Cooking Light has its own Pinterest!  With almost 5,000 pins!  What a better method for organizing recipes!  So I quickly followed them, Health, Fitness, Clean Eating, and Eating Well magazines.  So many recipes to try, all digitally and more cleanly organized than my file, PLUS no monetary investment and no wasting of trees!  I am loving it.  Seriously.  Awesome.  I try to go to one of those when I want to avoid all the amazing looking baked goods people are pinning that have me salivating.

So tonight while looking at Health’s pins (avoiding lingering on a recipe for Salted Browned Butter Snickerdoodles), I saw an article, How the Pros Curb Cravings and figured I ought to share it with you since we have been talking about it so much.  They had some good ideas that we hadn’t talked about yet.

What non-friends have you found helpful to follow?

Trading Screaming for Serenity

 

Are your mornings anything like mine have been lately?  Kids waking up way too early?  What about your afternoons?  Kids not going down for their naps?  What about your evenings? Kids shouting mommy mommy mommy instead of going to bed?  What about your nights?  A baby crying for food or comfort every few hours?

I hope this doesn’t sound like I am complaining, or that I don’t love my kids, but sometimes my inner chi just needs a little TLC.  In order to better love and better help those kids, I need to get away from them for awhile.  A massage has been just what the doctor ordered lately.  As I laid on that massage table listening to the soothing music, I felt a peace wash over me and I knew this needed to be a regular part of “living to last.”

If the description at the beginning matches your life but the picture below hasn’t been you in awhile, I really think you should make an appointment today.

 

Not only does massage have great restorative power, it has also been shown to help with the following:

• Anxiety
• Digestive disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Insomnia related to stress
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Paresthesias and nerve pain
• Soft tissue strains or injuries
• Sports injuries
• Temporomandibular joint pain

Okay, so I don’t know what all those things are, but maybe it will help give you a few more reasons to get a massage.  If you live around here and aren’t sure where to go, my massage therapist just moved to a new place and has a 20% off special for new clients.  It is a gorgeous and peaceful setting out in Boston Harbor.

What are some of your techniques for staying sane through the chaos of kids?

Tastier Tacos

I have heard from several friends lately that tacos are one of their go-to meals.  Mine too!!  I love them and could probably eat them every day.  Well, I know I can actually because that is exactly what I have been doing while Aaron is on his cleanse.  Well, a taco salad actually.  But that is what is great about this meal…you make up a few basic ingredients and you end up with lots of options: tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, tostadas, yum!

But if you eventually get sick of those tacos, here are a few great ways to spruce them up.

#1 – FRESH Pico de Gallo

I don’t think there is anything that adds a better flavor that homemade salsa.  At least that has so few calories and so many vegetables that is.  I had a pile of tomatoes from the garden that I needed to use up fast so I busted out my college roommate’s recipe and got to work.  You still make this recipe Erika Loveland??

7 large tomatoes
1 onion
1 bunch cilantro
2 green chilies (seeded, unless you are ready for some heat of course!)
2 cloves garlic
1 tsp garlic salt
1 TBSP vinegar
1 TBSP sugar
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp dried red chili
1 tsp dried basil

Chop, Mix, Chill, and enjoy!  It also tastes good with eggs or a baked potato; what else do you put your salsa on??

Peppers are another great add-in, and another healthy vegetable!  Instead of just frying them on the stove, try roasting them or grilling them for more ooomph.  And for an even deeper flavor, ditch your usual bell pepper and go for the poblano.  It is not spicy (unless you leave those seeds in!), but rich and smoky.  Just pop it in the oven at 400, using tongs to rotate it every 5 minutes until ll sides are slightly charred.

 

 

 

My all-time favorite topping is the caramelized onion.  I could probably eat it on everything.  It and the peppers are a great way to jazz up burgers and homemade pizza.  Contrary to popular belief, you do not need a pile of butter or oil to get a tasty caramelized onion.  Just get a sweet onion (Walla Walla are the best, in my opinion, but maybe if you are in the south you would argue for the Vidalia)!

• Set your frying pan on medium heat, spray it with olive oil, then add the onion.
• Cook until it is starting to get pretty brown on one side.
• Give it a good stir and then add enough water to cover the bottom.
• Cook until it is starting to get pretty brown on the other side.
• Give it a good stir and then add enough water to cover the bottom.
• Are you getting the picture?  Keep doing this until the onions are as soft and sweet as your taste buds desire.

For this week I just used ground turkey with the Costco Taco Seasoning.  I like the flavor of that and it doesn’t have any MSG like a lot of packaged seasonings.  Do any of you purists have a good recipe for Taco Seasoning that you like to use?

With all this deliciousness you don’t even need to add cheese or sour cream! My cheese loving family may disagree though.  Of course you may want to toss in some healthier fats like avocado or a dab of greek yogurt.  Yum!  What are your favorite ways to jazz up tacos?

Conquering Cravings Part II

Did you know it is National Women’s Health and Fitness Day today??  Since I am a woman blogging about health and fitness, I figured I ought to at least commemorate with a post since my workout today consisted of a half a dose of yoga and a walk with the kids.  I am taking a little workout break to heal my little tummy separation.  While doing that I decided to give Beachbody’s expensive little shake a try.

 

Let me tell you, I am LOVING it!!!  I was working out for about six weeks and lost 10 pounds, which I thought was awesome.  But then when I switched to very low intensity workouts like I mentioned above and added Shakeology, I have lost 5 lbs in 2 weeks!!!  And beyond that, It has actually helped me get in control of those sugar cravings I always seem to be talking about on this blog.

I made Nanaimo Bars for youth group last night and I didn’t even want to eat one?!?!

I took a bite partly out of habit and partly some strange sense of obligation and thought it was too sweet?!?!

I find myself wanting to snack on fruits and vegetables now?!?!

And beyond that, there are so many amazing ingredients in there…it is like a superfood smoothie and a protein shake rolled into one!  shakeology_vanilla_supp_facts

When Aaron first became a beachbody coach I wouldn’t let him buy it because of the price, but now that I have tried it I am seriously loving it and thought I would share it here in case you have been looking for a quick and easy way to supercharge your health.  They even have a 30-day money back guarantee if you try it and don’t love it so it is a win-win.  Let me know if you want to check it out.

Better than ?? Cake

This dessert has many names.  A walnut shortbread crust. Creamy layers of cream cheese, chocolate pudding, and whipped cream.  In my house growing up, we called it “Chocolate Wonderful.”  I know, doesn’t it just sound like something that will make your day better??  I decided to try a somewhat healthier take on it to take as my dessert contribution for family dinner while we are trying to eat healthier.  I can’t say that anyone liked it better than the original, but it was all gone by the time we got home!

Crust

1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup walnuts
1 cup softened butter

Give those a whirl in the food processor until combined and bake in a 9 x 13 pan at 350 for 15 – 20 minutes.  Let cool.  Then this is where we get a little crazy.  Instead of pudding, I made this recipe from Averie Cooks for the next layer!  Except I doubled it for extra goodness.  I know what you are going to say…Avocados??  In mousse??  What the heck?  I promise you it is so good and you can’t taste the avocados.  They just add all their healthy fat into the mix to make it rich and creamy without actual cream.

.

Raw Vegan Chocolate Mousse

Combine in Vita-Mix or Food Processor until smooth
2 ripe avocados
1/2 c agave
1/4 c cocoa powder
Dash Vanilla Extract

Then I finally tried my hand at coconut cream.  Have you been salivating over the pictures on pinterest like I have?  Have you tried it yet?  Basically you take a can of full-fat coconut cream and put it in the fridge overnight.  Then you take the solids from the can and whip them as you would whipping cream!  Add a bit of sweetener and vanilla and it was so yummy!  The best explanation on how to do it is at Oh She Glows.

I wish I had seen that before I attempted mine, because one of my cans failed and my whipped cream layer was far too skimpy.  Yes, get two if you are going to try this.  Guess I forgot to take a picture of the final product, but to make it pretty I took a chunk of my Trader Joe’s 72% Dark Chocolate Bar and made shavings to top it off.

Guess that gives me an excuse to make it again soon!

Marshmallows for Every Meal: And other Healthier Foods for Kids

 

My friend asked me the other day what my kids usually ate for lunch.  I thought it was a great topic of discussion for the blog because all of us moms probably struggle with getting our kids to eat healthy.  We make our kids eat whatever we are having for dinner, but no matter how much they liked or disliked it, they will NEVER eat the leftovers for lunch the next day!

 

 

Of course they would eat macaroni, quesadillas, chicken nuggets (and marshmallows, cookies, ice cream) at every meal if I left them, but that’s not really the ideal! So I thought I would compile a list of some of the things they do eat for lunch or snacks and hopefully there will be some good ideas for you.  And please share your own ideas in the comment section with everyone so we can have even more options.

1. Apples and peanut butter or almond butter
2. Applesauce or pears and cottage cheese
3. Grapes and string cheese
4. Smoothies
5. Carrots or Cucumbers with Greek Yogurt ranch or Hummus
6. Trail Mix made from The Unsalted Nut Mix at Costco, Cheerios, and Raisins
7. Hard-Boiled Eggs and Cuties
8. Whole Grain Breakfast Breads/Muffins with Yogurt or Hard-Boiled Eggs

There are also some surprising things my kids love that may be less typical

1. Grilled Chicken or Salmon with Homemade Sweet Potato Fries
2. Shrimp cooked any which way imaginable
3. Edamame, shelled and unshelled
4. Raw Red Peppers
5. Tofu!!  As long as the sauce is not too spicy
6. Salad (well that is Adelyn, not Barett)
7. Plain Rice Cakes! Sometimes with Peanut Butter, Almond Butter, or Hummus

As I compiled this list, I realize it is short on veggies and substance.  My kids eat a big meal (usually oatmeai with cottage cheese, eggs and waffles/english muffins, or protein pancakes) in the morning and then graze throughout the day.  So if any of you have any more substantial lunch ideas, I would really love to hear them too!

Becca’s Best: Top 10 Places to Explore in Washington

Remember how this was supposed to be a Healthy Living Blog and not just a Healthy EATING Blog?  Obviously I have my priorities (and my obsessions), so all my posts tend to be geared toward FOOD!  Since my other main obsession is exploring, I thought I should add some of my experiences with that to the mix.  So Becca’s Best will be a new regular feature.

These “Top Tens” are of course my opinions alone so feel free to disagree with them in the comment section below.  In fact, please do because then I will have more places on my list to explore in the future.  These are also all my personal pictures from past trips that I found on my computer, so don’t judge them for their meritocracy!

1. Mt. Rainier National Park

I am pretty sure this one goes without saying!  I mean, it is practically the icon of the whole state!!  “The Mountain” as we locals call never ceases to amaze me, whether I am up close and personal hiking a trail at Paradise or just walking out of our Wal-mart on a sunny day and taking in the awesome view.  It is so massive that it deserves a Top Ten post all of its own!  The hikes range from all levels and all lengths (94 miles around the whole thing anyone??) and all views, except down into the lava, which really disappointed Adelyn.

2. Mt St. Helens National Park

 

I have always felt a strange connection to St. Helens since it erupted shortly before I was born.  When I was little and still lived in Texas my dad had a business trip up here and brought back some salt and pepper shakers that were made from the ash of St Helens.  I thought they were so beautiful and couldn’t believe how awesome it would be to visit a REAL volcano.  Now that I have I think how crazy it must have been to have lived here during that eruption!  I guess if Rainier ever blows we will find out.

3. Hoh Rain Forest

This is another place that I retain a certain degree of childhood wonder for.  When I was in elementary school we had a special unit on rain forests and I was really taken with them.  At the time I pictured them as only in Brazil—I had no idea we had them in America!  So when we moved up here from Texas it became a quick favorite; as you can imagine we had nothing like that in Dallas!  I mean 140 to 170 inches of rain per year?!?!  Yes Erika, they don’t have that in Vegas either, please come visit.  I will take you there and we can search for Vampires and Werewolves as it is very close to Forks.

4. Cape Flattery

Ok so this one is definitely more random; you may not have even heard of it.  This is the northwesternmost point in the contiguous United States, which I know has been on your bucket list!  It is actually really beautiful and has some kind of special feel to it that I can’t explain (play the music from Goonies in your head….that feeling).  Don’t call my crazy.  Maybe that’s because It is also very close to Shi Shi beach which is a great place to hike into and camp on and looks very Goonies-esque.

5. North Cascades

These are much less traveled to than a lot of other mountain destinations because of the distance and the amount of time of the year that the road stays closed due to snow and avalanche trouble.  Though I have lived up here 17 years now, I actually just went for the first time two years ago.  Aaron and I wanted to explore somewhere new for our anniversary and my mom suggested here.  We were so glad that we took her advice (which I usually do when it comes to exploring since she loves it even more than I do)…everywhere we turned our heads it felt like we were snapping another picture.  When the babes are a little older we will definitely be going back!

6. San Juan Islands

This, on the other hand is a very well-known and well-traveled spot, but that doesn’t keep us from going back again and again.  What does keep us going again and again is that we still haven’t managed to spot any of the resident Orcas!  We have seen so many whales here and in Alaska, but never those blasted Killer Whales!!  Guess we need to head up there soon and try again.  Of course that is not the only reason.  Even though it is NOT Hawaii, it still has that laid-back island pace.  It is so relaxing to go there that you really feel you are escaping the cares of everyday life…something you definitely need on your to-do list if you are Living to Last.

7. Leavenworth

Leavenworth is a quirky little Bavarian Village up in the middle of  the mountains that has a little bit of everything.  In the summer there is hiking, rafting, horseback riding, fishing, boating, and you can camp if you love that, but if you don’t you can still enjoy the greatness of the real outdoors with a hotel or vacation rental.  Safeway is just down the street and the prices are NOT inflated like most resort towns.  Then in the winter there is snowshoeing, sledding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, skiing 40 minutes away, not to mention a really special Christmas celebration complete with every kind of Christmas character you can imagine.  And now there is a Cafe Rio only 30 minutes away.  Sounds like I should just move there!

8. Washington State Ferries

Ok, this might be the most random one of this post but I love them for their uniqueness, their simplicity, and their cheapness!  No, Washington is not the only state with ferries, but I would wager to say that we have the most per person or square mile.  There are so many islands and peninsulas that all have great little nooks and crannies to explore and just get away from the crowd and bustle of city life.  They are a favorite of Aaron’s family whenever they come to visit…yes definitely something you can’t do in Idaho. Ya gotta love this view of downtown Seattle as we headed to Bainbridge Island!

9. Lake Chelan

I figured I’d better include something from Eastern Washington, since that IS the majority of the landmass it ought to be represented somehow!  But let’s be honest, no matter how much they brag about their 300 days of sunshine, it just isn’t as pretty.  But we did have a lot of fun when we went there and I imagine if you have a boat you could have even more fun than we did!  It is just nice to visit someplace somewhat close by that actually has warm water to swim in, and at 50 miles long, it definitely has plenty of it.

10. Westport

I have always been confused why people seem to go to Ocean Shores more than any other place when they want a quick trip to the ocean.  Westport is way better!  They have surfing, crabbing, fishing, whale watching, a cuter little downtown area, way more sand dollars to collect, a nicer state park that has YURTS.  Ok truth be told they are both pretty ghetto as far as beach towns go and we all really love going to the Oregon Coast more, but for a quick sandy beach, this is the one to hit.  If you have a little more time Kalaloch is really beautiful and Seaside is the best…but I guess we will have to save that for an Oregon list.

On my list of places still to visit: Cape Disappointment, Lake Ozette, Hurricane Ridge, Beacon Rock, Mt. Baker, Stehikin.  Please tell me some of your favorite places so I can add those to my list too.  Or better yet, let’s go there together!  And if you live out of state and haven’t been to any, we have an extra room, please come and stay anytime.  You just have to take care of my baby when she wakes in the middle of the night.