Puget Sound Destination: Gig Harbor

The Sneaky Harbor: 

Gig Harbor, I will title it “Lake Gig”

This is the third of my three blogs about Puget Sound destinations: such a great topic to tackle in the summer when the sun is bright and life is dreamy. I hope that you have enjoyed it as a window into life in the Northwest.

The Narrows Bridge

This time we are at the natural and gritty coast around the Puget Sound waters that are north and south of Gig Harbor. The salt-water moves quickly because of the narrow channel to the south, giving it the well deserved name “The Narrows.” Kayakers know that it can be easy to get caught in the current, so beware. As you approach Gig Harbor by boat darling cabins and woodsy cliffs are everywhere. Beautiful! The Narrows Bridge is towering above the crossing and joins Gig Harbor with the “City of Destiny,” Tacoma.

Surprise: A boater could wiz on past the entrance to Gig Harbor without even noticing the inlet that leads to Gig Harbor. I was a bit embarrassed because I told my dad, who took us on this excursion, that I thought that he was going the wrong way. We were just heading straight toward the beach, and fast! Yikes! 

With a straight face, he agreed with me that indeed maybe we were lost. He laughed when the tiny inlet to the harbor was exposed.  So funny… I love being teased by my dad.

Little Lighthouse and Inlet to Gig Harbor

Once the small passage comes into view at the 15 foot lighthouse, boaters go into almost a lake-like environment. The water is calm and wonderfully peaceful. We saw paddle boarders and kayakers a-plenty as we toured the harbor. Awesome! In my opinion, it could almost be re-named, Lake Gig!

Upon Arriving: We didn’t discover the darling shopping community that I noted in my Poulsbo blog (though there are some shops). We didn’t discover the rustic and primitive island noted in my Blake Island blog. What we did discover was unique: lots of fancy-schmancy swanky boats waiting to be taken into the Sound, beautiful big homes perched on the hillside, a busy sailing class for energetic kids, and really fun-looking restaurants with docks. “Lake Gig” has an urban flair for the Sound. It is crisp, clean, fun, and fancy.

I can see why the community has grown so quickly over the years. When we were ready to leave “Lake Gig” and head out to the real world of the Puget Sound, I was happy to get a first hand experience and sneak into the Harbor. This was a small window into the lives that enjoy being near to the big city and being near to the rustic Sound, hand-in-hand. “Lake Gig” is a nautical break from the wind and the waves brewing in the Sound. The presence of of those living "the good life" is all fun to take in as well. 

Given the choice, I prefer the quiet life of Poulsbo and Blake Island, from my other two blogs, because of their quiet contrast to my city life. I am wondering what those that take time to read this will think? Maybe they will be drawn to Lake Gig for their next Puget Sound destination trip? Maybe they will laugh with me and my dad as their boat heads straight for the beach! 

In the end, I consider Puget Sound to be the most beautiful place around. I am so thankful for the history, raw beauty, sneaky surprises, the Narrows, and fancy boats. I also appreciate the opportunity to share a little bit of my dreamy summer adventures with you! Until next time...

Puget Sound Destination, Blake Island

Puget Sound Destinations: Blake Island 

(I kid you not: Raw-Natural-Simplicity)

Last week, I wrote that I am going to do a series of three blogs about Puget Sound destinations. Here goes #2: Recently, we took the clan to Blake Island, which is due west of downtown Seattle. To give you an idea of where it is: just head west from downtown Seattle, right out through Elliott Bay, and you will see a rugged little Island all covered with trees. Yep, it is All-Natural. One-of-a-kind. Organic. There are only a couple of Tillicum buildings on the island and from what I know, only one house which is for the Park Ranger. 

What a dream job – Blake Island State Park Ranger!

The island is covered with hiking trails so the lack of cars, bikes, and roads doesn’t matter. Walking feet are happy here and the views and beaches are awesome!

Even more about this raw Puget Sound classic: the easiest way to get to Blake is to hop on an Argosy Cruise boat in downtown Seattle and join Argosy for their Tillicum cruise and dinner (though time on the island is limited). Also, boaters can moor their boats  in the harbor and you can stay up to a week. Overnight mooring and beach camping is also available. Once you get there you could stay for a really long time, potentially (well, a week, anyway).

Salmon cooking by the open fire

On the Island, at Tillicum village, you can eat at a yummy salmon bake. This particular trip is the first time that the clan has had dinner at Tillicum. In former visits, we just hike and play. It was so fun to eat there this time. The chefs cook the salmon the traditional Native American way around a fire - the perfect bbq. The salmon is spun for even cooking.  When arriving, a hot mug of steamed clams are a great appetizer for the feast! 

The meal boasts of an abundance of everything Northwest (Salmon, fruit, creative veggies, artesian breads, salad, and blackberry cobbler). 

Yum on a plate!

The dinner also includes entertainment, which is a great touch. The Native American dances and stories open up a history-book about the Puget Sound area and it’s people from the local tribes. Traditionally, the tribes of the Salish community: Duamish, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, Puyallup, Snohomish and more met on Blake (of course, it wasn’t called Blake Island then; that came later with European Explorers). They met for their elder meetings at the Long House, which is now part of Tillicum village.

The hiking on Blake Island is great and it preserves its all-natural raw presence in the Puget Sound. It is a place of historical importance and natural living. For years, Blake has been a favorite of mine. #howCoulditNotbe… I hope that it becomes a Puget Sound favorite of your happy walking feet, too.

Puget Sound Destination: Poulsbo

Puget Sound Destination Blogs are finally here - because I know you've been waiting for them! This is the first of three blogs about places around Puget Sound. I hope that you like them all!

Let's say hello to the Puget Sound water town: Poulsbo! Poulsbo (pronounced: "Paul's bow," as in "bow and arrow") is a cute little Norwegian-themed town at the end of a long inlet (Liberty Bay) on Puget Sound, west of Seattle on the Kitsap Peninsula. Boat mooring is as easy as parking a car. There was plenty of boat moorage the day we went (see picture!).

So take your pick: drive the boat or the Durango; either will find a spot. 

Our clan went to Poulsbo by boat to see for ourselves what is so special about this little town. It is a town that is fun for everyone: the food, shops, and the view are great!  The journey there was half the adventure. Along the way we saw native American canoes being paddled along, seals, ferries, and natural beaches. So, here are some of our favorite things once we reached our destination!

* Nice Public Boat Dock right downtown (Did I already mention that?).

* Sluys' Poulsbo Bakery is awesome! Each person picked out or shared a special treat. The gingerbread man doughnuts were especially fun.

* The store “Tickled Pink” which features an array of darling accessories and décor. (Their theme is "Dream it, Wear it, Adore it." I like it!)

* “Flicka” is a really nice clothing store. The buyer has great taste for the up-scale and laid back coastal lifestyle. I wish I could buy all of my clothing there.

* Poulsbo is a celebration of coastal living as Poulsbo is nestled around the shoreline, which is dotted with cute cabins.

* The Ice Cream Shop – can’t go wrong with that in any small town…

* The Antique/Vintage shops. My son found a really groovy street sign that caught his eye. He also found a store selling the same Spiderman fishing pole that he got when he was 4 years old. It is hard to believe that it is already an antique, to some.

* The Climbing Rock on the Waterfront. It was a tough climb for the kids, but well worth the victory!

* Quality family time: We just love a laid-back day loafing around and exploring.

****I am particularly thankful that my husband is still safe on land after meeting his “dream boat.” (He says that I'm his "dream boat," after all.)

Poulsbo, Washington…it may or may not be on your list of places to visit in the great PNW…but it should be! It’s a great day-trip or weekend destination! Gwen, “a.k.a., Rick Steves,” signing off – for now… 

Zip-lining for Life, the Camp Counselor

Wanted: Legendarily Outdoorsy Camp Counselor!

Last Seen: Whittling branches to make canoe paddles for the camp lake. Hair propped up on her head in the perfect ponytail. Standing fearless in the sight of zip-lining down 200ft slopes to inspire her campers. Singing with abandon; “Goin’ on a Bear Hunt.”

Additional Information: Incredibly patient with whit and humor to cover every wrong-doing. Spiritually vibrant and resourceful. Empowering campers to develop their natural giftedness in the outdoors through forestry engagement. A deeply special person who can be radiantly present for those who miss their mommies and daddies before bedtime.

Reward: Being a Legend Counselor who is the kids’ favorite of all-time to be treasured in their thoughts and minds.

Who they Got: Lady who shops at Cabella’s for canoe paddles and doesn’t whittle. Near perfect ponytail, check. Has never been zip-lining and easily gets lost hiking. A person who is prone to being stressed out… Yikes!

Reality: So, a couple weeks ago, I was at Tall Timber Ranch with 13 kids from my church in a camp with 100 campers from age 7 to 12. I have not been to camp as a counselor for 15 years. Let me tell you, camp gets better with time. Just if I was the same counselor I was 15 years ago! It helps that these kids in my cabin are nice, friendly, and wonderfully kind. My multi-summer-experienced co-counselor said that our cabin was the best she has ever had. (I had the distinct impression doesn’t say that to everyone!)

At this camp the mountains are high, there is no Wi-Fi hot spot, cell towers don’t exist, and #ThegrassISgreener. Yet, I was not going to get off the hook that easily. Zip-lining day was coming up. I wanted to inspire but I had to get through this one.

I was pretty nervous. This is the biggest zip-line that I have ever seen. The campers in my cabin did awesome! They did a great job of getting down the line. I was head cheerleader for their success! Then it was my turn: The kids were cheering for me to be able to make it, which was fun. 

This is how it went:

I climbed the big tree.

I sat on a little deck in the tree. I tried to be brave. I clipped into the zip-line.

The camp leader told me to “go.” I didn’t want to, duh, but I did anyway. Wahoo!

My co-counselor sprayed me with water from the field and the kids cheered. They are best little rootin’ section around. “Maybe I can do this camp counselor thing,” I thought for a split second. But then I realized I was headed for THE TREE! Yes, at the end of the line was a tree and I was Lightning McQueenette herself headed straight at it. Turns out, adults go further than 4^th grade girls on zip-lines! To make things worse, there was a ladder up in front of it. Normally they use it to help get the little people down off the zip-line. The ladder was about to be my crash-landing “pad.” Fortunately, the person at the end quickly got the ladder off the tree and put up a mattress before I crashed into it!

The Real Life Camp Counselor: I am no legendary camp counselor, but so long city-living! I like life at kids’ camp. The staff plans cool activities all day long. They feed you and do the dishes - unbelievable. They entertain you with funny skits and silly songs (“If I weren’t a camp counselor, there’s nothing I’d rather be…”). This summer, it was nice to step out of the mold, and be a camp counselor for a group of really great kids - in the great outdoors.

Hiking in the North Cascades

It is all guts and glory, baby! The clan went on a day hike to a raw glacier in the North Cascades. At the Ranger Station the Ranger thought that the Heliotrope Ridge hike was “the” hike for us. I was a bit reluctant when I heard about the stream crossings and elevation gain, but off we went to drive to the trailhead.

When we got there I was glad to see a few other cars and even a Peak 7 Adventure van. We weren’t the only ones on this journey, although, I was sure to sign my name at the log-book at the entry of the trail (fearing that if we didn’t return that maybe someone would be able to find us). With optimism and a burst of adventure my Keen hiking shoes bonded with the dirt, roots, and rocks on the trail.

On a side note: about five minutes into the hike the big and wild mountain bugs were swarming. I had on bug spray all the way down to my shoes but those bug/birds didn’t seem to notice. I wondered if we would make it; early on, nature was making its presence known in an unfriendly way. The hike went up into the woods. The path took a lot of switchbacks: up, up, up, we went. The bugs attacks lessoned while we went up so the hike was getting better by the minute.

One unique aspect of this hike is the water. Mt Baker brings hikers to stream crossings like nothing I have ever experienced. Along the trail, we passed a man and his darling triplet sons, maybe 9 years old. He told us that at that point we had only ½ mile to go to the final stream crossing. He said that stream was thigh deep on him, dangerous, and really powerful. As a word of comfort he said that he left a blue bag at the point where he and his sons crossed. Yet, he said that the glacier was “totally” worth it!

The first two stream crossings were great. I felt like a professional rock hopper – if there is such a thing. Wilderness streams are fun to cross on a hot day - until we came to The Stream. Yes, the mother of all streams awaited us! “Stream” is an understatement. It was a small river.

Studly Husband in Action

We attempted to cross it. We planned and strategized. Clearly, not today; the water level was really high and the risk was too great. The blue bag was no comfort. No glacier, today. Lunch at the river will have to do. (Just saying: my manly husband helped a couple to cross back.)

We set off down the mountain towards the car. The trip downhill is always better! I was really thankful for the amazing flowers that were in bloom that day: My favorite was the Queen Anne’s Lace, looking like a snowflake in July.

The North Cascades are crisp, clear, green as all get out, rugged, majestic, and fun. They will make you feel like you shop daily at REI and eat only freeze-dried food. We met people from Kansas City and New York. I can understand why people from all over hike in my famous Western Washington back yard. This was an exciting must-do wilderness adventure for the clan; even with no glacier sighting, it was worth every minute. We will never again take the mighty North Cascades for granted! On my way out I signed the logbook. We made it out! 

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Side Note: A hiker we met on the trail emailed this neat picture of the glacier at the end of the trail. Something to look forward to next time. It is a hike to take in August when the rivers and streams are lower unless you don't mind an extra challenge...