Throwback Thursday: Westport, Bestport

Throwback Thursday: Westport 

A couple of months ago we decided to head out to the ocean. If you haven't been to a Washington beach before, they are not your average sunny day, hot weather beach adventure. Of course it was April, not beach weather yet but still an amazing day trip location.  

A two hour drive and one stop for coffee later, we arrived at Westport.  We pulled into Westhaven State Park where we like to park, they do require a Discovery Pass, or a small fee that you can pay with a card.  The parking lot was empty, not a soul in site.  Usually the lot is packed, you will see surfers carrying their boards down the paths, kids running with kites, smoke from campfires that are neighbored by sand castles.  Not the case today.  It was deserted. It was eerily beautiful.  

Of course this adventure we brought Gabby, fur friends are allowed.  She kept me company while Fallyn and Anthony braved the icy cold water of the Pacific Ocean. While they were in the water chasing the waves or running from them, haha. gabby and I sat on the beach and watched, this is the moment it hit me I need to start documenting our travels -hence this blog.  

As soon as the water became to cold for them, we decided to explore the beach. Fallyn has been to Westport with Anthony's mom -she wrote the book on adventuring- So she was excited to show us their favorite spots to explore.  One of them being The Grand Canyon of Westport.  

We built up an appetite exploring so we headed to get some food.  Across from the marina is a row of buildings in which you can find gift shops, ice cream shops, a candy store as well as restaurants. We did stop at Granny Hazel's Candy and Gifts Shop,  before we went to lunch.  They have a bulk candy area where Fallyn and I went nuts! Anthony kept telling us, not to much.  Haha yea right! If your a licorice fan like me, they have an amazing selection. The couple that own it are very sweet. If you ever go to Westport make sure to stop by and visit,  their wonderful to chat with.  

A couple of weeks before we went to Westport I read an article on must eat places in Washington. On it was Bennetts Fish Shack! Located across from the marina amongst the row of shops, I was beyond excited to try it.  It's a smaller restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The menu is full of fresh caught items. Fallyn of course got the chicken strips.  Anthony and I split the fish -battered cod- and chips as well as a bowl of clam chowder. We were glad we shared they have huge portions, and probably the best French fries I have ever had.  The clam chowder was sooooooo good, we will definitely be going back to Bennetts Fish Shack for this, except next time I'm getting my own bowl. 

  If you haven't been to Westport yet add it to your PNW day trip list!!!

Make sure you head over to my Instagram to enter my Washington State Necklace Giveaway!!!

Instagram: Brit_pnw 

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW 

Brittney

But First, Coffee

Hey!!! 

Guess what!!! It's around Tacoma Tuesday!!!

Today I bring you guys my favorite coffee shop just two blocks away from my house and dog friendly,  Cafe Brosseau! If your local and haven't been there yet or if your passing through T-Town you must check it out!!! 

Located in North Tacoma this coffee shop has a more casual laid back atmosphere -great for blogging. With a full coffee bar, pastries, a list of bistro items and some adult beverages you will feel right at home.

Not on the menu but equally great they have a small area for kids, and a shelf filled with an array of board games and books. On the walls you will see local artists work for sale, and from time to time they have live music and poetry readings - join their Facebook page to see upcoming events!

Cafe Brosseau Facebook Page 

The staff is friendly and knowledgeable on what to try... my suggestion

The Cafe Brosseau - chocolate and orange espresso drink delicious hot or on ice!

With an order of Avocado Toast - grilled torta bread with avocado, lemon juice, sea salt and pepper 

The best thing I have ever had!!!!!

If your ever in the North Tacoma area stop by and check them out!!!

Tomorrow Instagram GIVEAWAY!!!
Instagram: Brit_PNW

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW 

Brittney

High Tide, Low Tide - Take Me Back To Nisqually

This Memorial weekend we decided to stay close to home and go on an adventure we have been wanting to cross off our bucket list. The Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge.  When I say we I mean me.  Anthony has been there before when he was younger and knew Fallyn and I would love it.

The Wildlife Refuge is a large piece of land set aside to help preserve the wildlife. No pets are allowed in the Refuge so they won't disturb the animals or land.   There is a $3.00 cash fee to enter the Wildlife Refuge.  We learned the hard way.  We only had two dollars cash with no ATM in site.  A fellow Wildlife Refuge traveler let us know there is a gas station on the corner with an ATM.  We headed back to the car hoping to scrounge up a dollar worth of change. When the same guy came up behind us with a dollar.  Thank you generous traveler, your greatly appreciated.  

So we started our journey, we were able to see geese with newborn babies, seals, crabs, fish and about a dozen blue herons.  The Wildlife was fun to see but my favorite part was the scenery. The Wildlife Refuge has created multiply flat trails, great for kids. Consisting of raised boardwalks and gravel paths. Whether the tide is high and you feel like your walking on water, or low and see the waters muddy floor, you will be in awe of the boardwalk structures they have created.

Along the path you will come across two huge white barns. Prior to becoming a Wildlife Refuge it was farmland. They decided to keep these two beautiful rare gems in rememberance of the lands history. 

 

The Wildlife Refuge is definitely a must see place in the PNW

For Memorial Day I wanted to announce my next GIVEAWAY! One lucky person will win my statement piece I never take off. My Washington Necklace!!! It is perfect for the PNW enthusiast!!!

Wednesday I will be posting a photo on Instagram on how to enter!!! Be on the look out!

Instagram:  Brit_PNW

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW!!!

Brittney

Throwback Thursday: Staircase

The weather has been so beautiful the last few days!!!

I decided this weeks Throwback Thursday I will share with you a beautiful place that has a family friendly trail: Staircase Rapids Nature Loop Trail.  

Last April we decided to head to the Olympic Peninsula and spend our afternoon at Staircase. It's a little under a two hour drive from Tacoma, WA. The drive is beautiful it runs right along side Lake Cushman. The road is unpaved and closes from time to time due to weather conditions. So before you head out you can check on the National Park Service website. There is also a vehicle/walk in fee unless you have an Annual Pass. Pets aren't allowed since its in the National Forest. Gabby missed out. 

Staircase has multiply skill level trails. The Rapids Loop Trail is family friendly so we chose to go that route. The trail is 2.1 mile loop, along the trail you will find enormous trees reaching high into the sky, as well as giant fallen trees laying across the mossy forest floor. 

Plenty of beautiful view points of the Skokomish River, the water is a beautiful shade of blues and greens. One of my favorite spots is at the bridge. Made to look like a Mini Narrows Bridge, you get a clear view of the rapids below. 

Towards the end of the trail there is a viewpoint of The Great Bend in the river overlooking the bluff. The height made my stomach drop. Of course I was yelling at Fallyn not to get close to the ledge HAHA she was staying even further back than I was.  

Staircase was a fun trip for us.  I hope you get a chance to check it out!

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW!!!

Brittney 

Sisters and Brunch: I'm There

I grew up in Gig Harbor, WA a small town across the bridge from Tacoma. Growing up I never thought I would move away from the Harbor, but I did and I am beyond obsessed with the area I live in now. I moved to North Tacoma a few years ago and I never want to leave! The city has a lot to offer, full of character and history.

With that, I bring to you Around Tacoma Tuesdays. Giving you a tour of Tacoma with information on where to eat, shop, recreation and the most important where to get pampered. Along the way I'll show you some of my favorite spots as well as discover new places I haven't been to yet!!! 

Today's tour brings us to The Jewel Box Cafe in Point Ruston. Where I met up with two lovely ladies and a beautiful baby yesterday: My Sisters and Niece. Tiffany is my Sister In Law, with her is my Niece Lydia. Marie is my other Sister. She is my childhood best friend/neighbor for the majority of my life. She has held the sister role for a long time.

We met for brunch at The Jewel Box Cafe.  From the outside you could tell the inside was going to be full of charm. Inside they have sparkling chandeliers, the craftsmanship is beautiful, and they showcase their menu on decorated chalkboards. I was excited to try it.

Plenty of seating inside, with an upstairs area, they also have a smaller patio area, which is where we chose to sit.

Their menu consists of brunch like items: salads, crepes, and sandwiches. They have a pretty impressive coffee bar as well. I ordered the Gourmet Ham Crepe which consists of: 

-diced Black Forest ham, spinach, mushroom, cheddar cheese, pico de gallo, topped with a Dijon sauce

-caramel macchiato

Both were so delicious!!!!!

The Jewel Box Cafe has amazing ambiance, and tasty food, my one concern, I think it may have been an off day for the staff. Which I get, I'm human too, I have off days. So I'm hoping next time I visit, it's an overall 100% good experience.

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW!

Brittney

Day Tripping Essentials

Day Tripping is not taken lightly in our house.  We talk weeks prior to all of our journeys. Deciding where we want our foot paths to cross.  Fallyn, the night before will set up her bed in the backseat, bags packed so she's ready to hit the road first thing in the morning. We set a time frame to be out the door. Fallyn is the one shouting "It's 7:59 people, we leave at 8:00" it was funny the first time, and still is.

Me, I'm an early riser so I gather all of my essential day trip equipment the morning of. My NUMBER 1 MUST have my BACKPACK!!! HAHA I almost feel like I should name her! She has been to so many cool places. She holds all of my goodies for the day. What goes in the bag, the book I'm reading at the time -currently BEFORE I FALL, review coming soon- phone chargers, snacks, notebook and pen- for blogging purposes.

Next up HYDRO FLASKS.  Before leaving the house we will fill them with icy cold water. When we get home, if there is any left it's icy cold.  Seriously best water bottle I've ever had.

When Day Tripping I normally just throw on a HAT. It's easy and probably my fave accessory to wear on my off days. It has become an obsession.

You will see from time to time our Beautiful Beast, GABBY. We take her on as many adventures as we can.  National parks don't allow dogs so some of our day trips she will be MIA. When she does get to go she is so fun, she explores with us. Then on the ride home sleeps. She's not use to so much action.

Our adventure doesn't really begin. Until we hop in the car, turn on some Florida Georgia Line-we listen to every CD  of their's on repeat- and hit the road. For about 2 minutes HAHA where we then stop at a Starbucks and grab an important essential to any day trip, a morning COFFEE:

-triple iced espresso, 2 agave packets, splash of cream, extra ice.

Last but not least! A DISCOVERY PASS With a Discovery Pass you have access to millions of acres of State Recreation Lands in Washington. By purchasing a pass, you are helping keep Washington's beautiful outdoor sites open. 

Annual Pass 30.00

Day Use 10.00

For more information go visit

http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov/

You can purchase online or look at the State Parks Discovery Pass FREE Days

To be honest these items are nice to have. If we didn't have any of them, we would still enjoy our time together traveling the PNW.  My favorite quote best describes this.  

"Actually, the best gift you could have given her was a lifetime of adventures" - Lewis Carroll

Look out for the next Postcard From The PNW 

Brittney

Throwback Thursday: Tumwater Falls

Hello Sunshine!!!

When I started this blog I was thinking about all the cool places I wanted to go, I made lists of all the towns, beaches, restaurants in far off places to bring back and tell you all! I started scrolling through my thousands of pictures on my phone and realized how am I going to share all of the cool places we have already been.  Which brings us today's post title Throwback Thursday.  Every Thursday (until I run out haha) I will be posting past adventures that are worthy places that someday I hope to return to.  

Which brings me to: Tumwater Falls Park.

Anthony and I had only been dating for a couple months, when he suggested we take our first adventure. He grew up in Olympia, WA, his mom would take him and his siblings to Tumwater Falls Park. There they would explore, climb rocks, and sneak over the fence that leads down to the river.  

When we pulled into the parking lot I wasn't sure what to expect. It looked like a normal park. In my mind I was like "Where are these waterfalls." As we got on the path I could hear them, we turned the corner and there they were.  Looking back on that moment, that's when I changed.  I had a new set of eyes on the world.  I needed to see more. Wanderlust is no joke. The Falls is open to the public and FREE!!! It has a half mile scenic loop trail along the Deschutes River.  

We set out to start the trail crossing a bridge that sits above the roaring falls. I constantly kept yelling for Fallyn to stand in the center of the bridge. Even though she had already crossed. HAHA I'm a crazy person when it comes to heights. This scenario happens, just about every trip we go on. 

There is no bad view point on this trail, it runs right along the river on both sides. You will see tons of mini water falls along the way right on the trail! 

Fallyns favorite part is at the second bridge. Yes, I yell at her to stay in the middle yet again. Across the bridge there is a path you can take, that will lead you to the bottom of the falls. You will find a 

picturesque spot to take a picture in front of the falls. Depending on the day you can get a really good photo. Much like this one.  

Or if we've had a ton of rain fall,  this spot will soak you haha and your picture will not be so good. Sorry Anthony. Haha good one of Fallyn and I though!

Back up at the top you will finish the loop. Our favorite place to go and grab some lunch after is the Bayview Thriftway right down the road. It's a small market with a delicious deli counter. You can also go before you head to the park and eat picnic style, they have tables and benches. Tumwater Falls isn't to far from us. So we go a few times a year. If your looking to get out of the house, or if you have kids and looking to get them out of the house. I highly recommend it! The scenery is breathtaking. 

Look out for the Next Postcard From The PNW

Brittney