Pacific NW Summertime!

Thanks for the kudos on the blog so far! Several folks have asked what Erica and I have been up to since our Alaska kayak trip this past August... the short answer is finally being present in our own backyard! We taken a few spontaneous island trips for sunset picnics, including this one to Whidbey Island, WA:

Just the right vintage... which is any vintage with Mt. Rainier in the background...

t -14 seconds

t = 0 seconds

set begets rise.

The next morning gave way to five-star local blueberry and gluten free pancakes from the Knead & Feed (see Logistics below for more info!) in Coupeville, WA and an amazing view of Mt. Baker over Saratoga Passage:  

Labor Day Weekend we made a mad dash to the OR coast in search of cool paddle boarding spots for Erica and wind/waves for me. Here are a few highlights:

OR Coast Classic

Surfing with the giants.

I got to play too... in fact all three days from 2:00 - 5:30 pm when the Manzanita northwesterly fan turned on and I jumped for joy... 

Not all weekends can be spent on the OR coast (though how I long they could be during weekends like last)... but back at our hometown beach in Edmonds, WA this past weekend the first Fall SWerly winds came in ...

Closer than it looks...

and though the sunbreaks barely broke the wind came through with 17-22 knts and pumping up the 15m was worth it! Good things do come to those who wait...

Further than it looks... 

Hopefully we get a few more sunny days for play... this weekend if all goes according to plan we are headed to Clark Island by kayak... let us know if you want to come along!

In health and play,
Ryan and Erica


Logistics & Lessons Learned:

Whidbey Island, WA:
Best gluten-free blueberry pancakes:
Knead & Feed Bakery, Coupeville, WA
www.kneadandfeed.com

Best sunset:
Ebey's Landing

Best old growth trees meets beach experience:
South Whidbey State Park 

Lodging:
Camping is possible all over Whidbey, including South Whidbey, Fort Casey, Fort Ebey and Deception Pass State Parks, but make camping reservations at least 3-6 months in advance. All first come first serve campgrounds are switching to reservation only in 2013! 

We also like the Fort Casey Inn for a reasonable price, great location and running water:
http://www.fortcaseyinn.com/

OR Coast:

Best lunch:

Bread & Ocean, Manzanita, OR
http://breadandocean.com/

Best beach:

Everywhere

Best paddleboarding:

The standing wave at the mouth of the Newhalem River and then down river to the boat ramp in Wheeler.

Lodging:

Camping options are few and far between in this section of the OR coast. The best bet is Newhalem Bay State Park. Make camping reservations at least 1-3 months in advance. 

We also like the Spondrift Inn in downtown Manzanita for <$150/night rooms with kitchenettes that are 1.5 blocks from the beach! 
http://www.spindrift-inn.com/

This past trip we stayed down in Rockaway Beach, which is 20 minutes south of a trendier scene but we had a spotless ocean front room in the Tradewinds Motel at the last minute with fast wireless internet and a Duraflame log in the fireplace that got replaced every day! 
http://www.tradewinds-motel.com/