Ocean Shores

2015 Favorites

/ dkaltenb / Leave a comment

On this last day of 2015 and you look back on the year, what was your favorite part of it?  Was it a vacation or trip?  A new person (or pet) in your life?  A chance at a new career path?  Did you run your first half marathon?  Spent more time outdoors in nature?

As I update my 2016 calendar for the new year ~ Question: what was my favorite experience of 2015?  Answer: in May… a 5-night trip to Las Vegas.  We did it up VERY well!!!

My Top 16 list of other 2015 outings (in no particular order) are:

  1. Spending the final day of the US Open at Chambers Bay golf course with my dad and husband
  2. Drinking some very fine wine
  3. Enjoying theater.  Favorite: Phantom of the Opera or Mamma Mia
  4. Enjoying concerts.  Favorite Indoor Concert: Candlebox or Muse. Favorite Outdoor Concert: Afrodisiacs at Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park
  5. Taking the Victoria Clipper for a weekend to Oak Bay/Victoria BC to catch up with friends
  6. Road trip to Ocean Shores
  7. Road trip to Leavenworth
  8. Flight to Dallas, TX for the Seahawks/Cowboys game and to meet up with my brother/family.  AT&T Stadium is amazing. Pecan Lodge. Iron Cactus.
  9. A dinner boat cruise on the waters of the Anacortes/San Juan Islands area via Mystic Sea Charters and Hellam’s Vineyard
  10. Pike Place Market and Pioneer Square … finding new shops (like Watson Kennedy, Clementines, Fleurt, Timothy De Clue) and restaurants (like London Plane) nearby
  11. Snoqualmie Falls #optoutside adventure
  12. Visiting Chihuly Garden and Glass along with dinner at Sky City and taking in the Puget Sound views via the Space Needle
  13. Tailgating and attending Seattle Seahawks games.  Go Hawks!
  14. Attending a day full of action of the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament at Key Arena
  15. Road trip in a Mercedes-Benz convertible to get a pedicure at Tip Top Nails in North Bend
  16. Taste ~ Road trip to visit a friend and check out Dirty Oscar’s Annex and Corina in Tacoma. Honorable mention: Vista Lago Restaurant in Kirkland

And being thankful for other places and people not mentioned here.

What is on your list for 2016?

Ocean Shores, WA

/ dkaltenb / Leave a comment

Ocean Shores, WA is 2-1/2 hours from the Seattle area.  A great time to head to the coast is the month of September, May or any month in between.  Walk the beach, find some shells, see wildlife and write a message in the sand.

Many of the hotels are the older beach town resort-style.  A past favorite to stay was The Polynesian Resort.  For many years my grandparents would go with friends and I carried on the tradition.  The one bedroom is a good selection as the bedroom is separate from the living area and full service kitchen.  Optional: have a fire in the fireplace and a glass of wine while watching a DVD or while cheering on the Seattle Seahawks on a lazy Sunday.  The people are friendly and the amenities are vast. http://thepolynesian.com/

What else is there to do?  A nice selection of merchandise can be found at The Village Shoppe and Flying Cats Gift Shoppe.   Stop in at Elk Head Taproom (brewery located in Buckley) for a brew.  Take a drive to Seabrook and have lunch at Mill 109 ~ the Whistle Punk Chicken Burger and a pint of craft brew hit the spot.  ‘Our Place’ is known for their breakfast.  The Ocean Beach Roasters has a nice selection of coffee, pastries, quiche, and more.  Emily’s at Quinault Resort and Casino is good for a fine dining option.  And while you’re at the Casino, take a spin at a slot machine to try your luck.  Maria’s at The Polynesian is ok too.

What’s up with the Sasquatch theme (or sightings) around the area?  Ocean Shores is a gathering place for Sasquatch researchers from around the world gather to present their findings of the elusive bigfoot species. Witnesses share their experiences and information about Sasquatch.

So, stay two nights to wind down and enjoy this Pacific Northwest beach and weather.  You might also consider continuing your trip north to Quinault Lodge, Kalaloch Lodge and the beautiful beaches of the Washington coast.  Fly a kite, paddle a boat, become a birdwatcher, or beach comb for treasures.

http://www.tourismoceanshores.com/

 

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