May 2019 – Jellybeans in the City

Three things to know for your snowy adventure at Mount Rainier, WA

Having lived all my life in a tropical country, I have never experienced snow. Actually, I’m very sensitive to cold weather and prone to feeling the chills when the temperature drops so I have accepted that experiencing snow will never be a reality.

That changed when my bro decided to take Hubby, the kids and myself to Mount Rainier in Washington State during the fam’s US trip.

Famed Scottish-American naturalist John Muir once said, “Of all the fire mountains which like beacons, once blazed along the Pacific Coast, Mount Rainier is the noblest.”

Mount Rainier truly offers a lot of awesome sights to behold. And if you’re planning a similar trip to this famous attraction, here are some things you might like to know:

1. It was formed by volcanic activity and is, in fact, an active volcano.

At 14,410 feet, Mount Rainier stands at the center of the country’s fifth national park and is the most glaciated peak in the continental United States. It is a product of many prehistoric volcanic activities as evidenced by basalt columns and other remnants of early eruptions and lava flows.

Active steam vents, intermittent earth tremors and its previous eruptions indicate that Mount Rainier is sleeping, not dead. Set your mind at ease, though: there are seismic monitoring stations throughout the place that should be able to provide warning of impending eruptions days in advance. You should still watch out for other geologic activities that occur with little warning such as rock falls and debris flows. If you happen to be near a river and notice a rapid rise in water level or prolonged ground tremors and rumbling noise, the park advises to head on to higher ground, 200 feet above river level should be safe.

2. Its landscape is ever-changing.

From a distance, Mount Rainier may seem solid and permanent but, up close, it constantly changes. This spring, melting snow reveal subalpine meadows with flowers that rapidly bloom for pollinating insects, and foraging animals ensure the continuity of life despite the summer that lasts for only two months.

As a wanderer, you also need to be prepared for the changing conditions on the mountain such as retracing hiking routes, snow avalanches, rushing streams and changing weather. Gear up for potential difficulties you may encounter when you decide to go hiking, snow boarding or climbing.

Our group, for example, was initially planning to enjoy the views at Sunrise, the highest point in the park reachable by car but closed roads going to the area made us change our plans to go to visit Longmire, the Narada Falls and the Paradise Visitors Center instead.

Factoring in some flexibility in your sightseeing will ensure that everyone still has a good time despite changes in plans. Be sure to note road closure signs and other safety notices on the way. You can dial 9-1-1 from any phone located within the park for emergency assistance.

3. Its wilderness is home to diverse fauna.

Beyond the roads, parking lots and visitor centers is sprawling wild land: over 97 percent of the Mount Rainier National Park is protected by the 1964 Wilderness Act that keeps it free from development. Here, animals such as black bears, beavers, mountain goats, spotted owls and the recently reintroduced Pacific fishers, can roam and live freely in the thick forests, lush meadows, rushing rivers and sparkling lakes.

While exploring Mount Rainier, you can take the opportunity to enjoy all the relaxing green spaces to recharge and reinvigorate yourself away from the stresses of city living. You can also take in the wonders of nature that are in abundance in the area, thanks to the conservation efforts of the National Parks Service.

Mount Rainier National Park is located in East Ashford, Washington, 90 miles (about 2 hours drive) from Seattle. The park charges USD30 (Php1,565) for every passenger vehicle, or USD25 (Php1,304) for every motorcycle. Walk-ins and bicyclists are charged USD15 (Php783).

For more details about the Mount Rainier National Park, visit its website.

Check out the other attractions the fam and I visited during our US trip:

Sightseeing at the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, Snohomish County, WA

Did you know that aside from guiding mariners by night or during storms, lighthouses also serve as daymarks – landmarks that are visible from the sea during daylight hours. To serve as a day mark, the light tower should be brightly painted, and feature distinctive colors and patterns.

One such light tower in the Mukilteo Lighthouse which the fam explored during our trip to the Pacific Northwest. Designed by renowned architect Carl W. Leick, this Victorian-style lighthouse, which stands 38 feet high (one of the shortest in the United States), has been operating since March 1, 1906. By 2001, the US Coast Guard has transferred the Mukilteo Light Station property to the City of Mukilteo, although it still maintains the light and the foghorn as working aids to navigation.

When it was originally built, the lighthouse was equipped with an oil lamp and a rotating lens; the oil lamp had to be refilled and the rotating lens had to be rewound every three hours.

Currently, its light is made possible by a fourth order Fresnel lens built in Paris, France in 1852 and brought to Mukilteo when the lighthouse was converted to electricity in 1927. With a flash pattern of two seconds on / three seconds off which is unique to Mukilteo, the lighthouse is now fully automated and on 24/7.

Atop the light tower is a breathtaking view of the Possession Sound, named by George Vancouver in 1792 when he claimed possession of the land of “New Georgia” for Great Britain. Possession Sound connects the main Puget Sound basin to the south with Saratoga Passage and Port Susan to the north.

Beside the lighthouse is a structure known as the Assistant Keeper’s House which was also designed by Architect Leick as part of the light station. Today, it serves as a venue for historical exhibits and as a gift shop for visitors.

Encompassing the light station compound, the sandy beach and shoreline walkway is the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park. This has one of the most easily accessible shorelines in the Snohomish County, especially among those needing ADA access. It also displays sculptures by Tulalip tribal carvers and artworks by Joe Grobin and James Madison.

The fam spent a long while here just enjoying the view, skipping rocks along the beach and cooling off with some ice cream at the nearby Diamond Knot outlet.

The Mukilteo Lighthouse Park is a thirty to forty-minute car ride from Seattle. It is located at 609 Front St, Mukilteo, WA 98275, open 4am to 10pm from May 1 to September 30, and 6am to 10pm from October 1 to April 30. For inquiries or more information, call (425) 263.8180 or visit its website.

Check out the attractions the fam and I visited during our US trip:

Cannon Beach, OR

Tastes of the Pacific Northwest’s own Single Malt Whiskey at Westland Distillery

We usually associate the strong and astringent whiskeys to Scotland where the traditions of brewing and distilling of this spirit were said to be first established. The name whiskey, in fact, was derived from the Gaelic word uisce.

However, the folks at Westland Distillery are advocating a new category of single malt whiskies: that which is home-grown in the Pacific Northwest. While still honoring the same core ingredients – barley and water, and the same time-tested equipment and processes, Westland Distillery produces outstanding whiskies that are defined by its environs: whiskies that are truly American.

It turns out that the Pacific Northwest’s area and climate are ideally suited to the production of single malt whiskey. For one thing, Washington State covers two of the world’s best barley-growing regions, and water from the Cascade Mountains provide the water.

During the fam’s visit to Washington State, Hubby and I were treated by my bro to a whiskey tasting event at Westland Distillery’s Cantilever Room, where we enjoyed the rustic atmosphere along with the distillery’s signature whiskies.

Before the whiskey tasting, we were given a tour of the production floor where we learned the science and artistry that goes into making a very American single malt whiskey.

Whiskey production starts with barley which form part of local farms’ crop rotation practices, thereby further enriching the soil. These grains are then malted (soaked in water to allow to germinate to release enzymes then quickly dried through a kiln or peat smoking) to achieve five malt flavors that Westland Distillery mixes together according to their ratios or recipes called grain bills: the Washington Pale Malt, the Munich Malt, the Extra Special Malt, the Pale Chocolate Malt and the Brown Malt. The Peated Malt factors into the Peated whiskey that the distillery produces.

With these many types of malted barley used in whiskey making, how can the distillery’s product still be considered single malt? As clarified during our tour, for a whiskey to be considered single malt, it just needs to be made of malted barley produced by a single distillery.

The grains are taken to the mill room for mashing wherein they are combined with water and allowed to ferment to produce wort, which contains sugars that will then be mixed yeast to produce alcohol. Westland Distillery uses Belgian yeast which adds a floral flavor to the brew.

In the still room, the brew is distilled first in the onion-shaped copper wash still, then in the spirit still to concentrate and isolate the alcohol.

The distillation process also cuts the brew into heads, hearts and tails. The heads are mostly made up of volatile alcohols which are disposed of as these should not be consumed. The hearts, on the other hand, contain most the rich flavors of what goes into the whiskey, while the tails contain the more bitter and musty portions which are also disposed of.

Distilled alcohol is actually clear: the amber color that we associate with whiskey comes from the charred oak barrels used where the alcohol is allowed to mature for a minimum of three years.

The aged whiskey is then blended with those from other barrels to create flavors and achieve consistency per variant.

After the tour, we proceeded to the tasting area where we were provided with glencairn glasses. These feature a tapered mouth and are designed specifically to allow the drinker to appreciate the complex flavors and aspects of fine whiskey.

Here, we sampled Westland Distillery’s signature flavors:

American Oak. Made use of the five-barley grain bill together with new American oak casks. It has a combination of cream and citrus smell and has a fruity and chocolatey taste. This has won the Chairman’s Trophy in the Ultimate Spirits Challenge.

Sherry Wood. Made use of the five-barley grain bill but, this time, with casks previously used to age sherry wine. It has a sweet maple-y smell and taste. It won as the Craft Whiskey of the Year in the SF World Spirits Competition.

Peated. Peated malts were combined with non-peated five-barley grain bill to produce a whiskey that calls back to older traditions. It has a nuttier smell and has a smokey flavor. It was awarded Whiskey of the Year by the American Distilling Institute.

Single Cask Release (Cask No. 2549). Made with pale malt barley matured in casks previously used for bourbon. It smells of pear and tea and has a fruitier taste.

Other flavors

The whiskey tasting was a fun learning and foodie experience for me. I’m not much of a drinker but now I can say that I have a greater appreciation for whiskey. Whiskey tasting tours are offered from Wednesdays to Saturdays at 12 noon and 4pm, depending on availability. You can schedule your visit using the distillery’s website.

Westland Distillery is located at 2931 First Avenue South, Suite B, Seattle, WA 98134, open Tuesdays to Thursdays from 12 noon to 7pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 8pm. For more information, call (206) 767-7250 or visit westlanddistillery.com.

Check out my posts on other beverage tastings:

Five things to enjoy at The Heathman Lodge, Vancouver, OR

After our visit to Cannon Beach, OR, the fam needed to rest a bit before embarking on our epic 9-hour drive from Washinton to California. After checking Expedia, bro suggested The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, WA.

The hotel is styled as a rustic mountain lodge which just happens to be located in the heart of the city. Built with hand-hewn logs and decorated with indigenous artworks and crafts amidst its refreshing natural environs, The Heathman Lodge provides guests with the true flavor of the Northwest.

So what appeal can a lodge-style cabin hold for a family of Filipino tourists like us who found themselves in the Pacific Northwest? Let me cite five examples.

Convenient location.

Want to go all out on the shopping opportunities in Portland? (By the way, check out my post on Outlet Shopping in Oregon.) Want to check out the sights of Seattle? All these and more are a short driving distance from the hotel.

If you’re feeling hungry, the hotel’s very own Hudson’s Bar and Grill can serve up your particular cravings, or you can venture some distance out to Thai Wok Kitchen where we had my Mother’s Day Dinner.

Heading off for the long drive to California? This hotel was our starting point for the epic drive to San Francisco.

Indigenous art and artifacts.

A significant part of Pacific Northwest character is the body of artwork and artifacts indigenous to the area. These take the form of colorful blankets from Oregon’s Pendleton Woolen Mills, portraits of Western characters in the lobby, handcrafted antler and cut-metal sconces, and a fossilized fifteen-million-year-old tree trunk collected from Arlington, Oregon.

No-frills yet comfy accommodation.

To be honest, one really shouldn’t expect luxury at The Heathman Lodge. What you can look forward to is understated comfort: from the comfortable queen-size beds with Tempur-Pedic mattresses and the spacious toilet and bath, basic conveniences such as unlimited WiFi, phone line, refrigerator, coffee maker and microwave, as well as exclusive access to a breakfast/reception room that serves continental breakfast every morning.

Recreation facilities.

Feel like working out? Hubby was able to spend some time with the treadmill and weights at the hotel’s gym while my little boy and myself enjoyed ourselves at the hotel’s indoor heated pool.

Service with a smile.

All the hotel’s staff were friendly and accommodating. From the receptionists at the lobby offering the free gourmet coffee to guests, the staff assigned to the breakfast room providing us with trays since we opted to take our breakfast in our room, to the personnel we meet in the hallways, the people behind the hotel go the extra mile in meeting and anticipating our needs

We booked our overnight stay via Expedia for USD133.60 (Php7,188), which, for me, is quite a good deal. Overall, our stay was quite lovely and I wished we could have stayed longer.

The Heathman Lodge is located at 7801 NE Greenwood Drive Vancouver, Washington, 98662. For inquiries and reservations, call 360-254-3100.

Check out my posts on other accommodations:

Tips for Shopping at Woodburn Premium Outlets, Oregon

I’m not much of a shopper, probably because I’m inherently frugal and I get depressed when I can’t immediately find stuff in my size.

That aversion to shopping didn’t apply when my family and I dropped by the Woodburn Premium Outlets in Woodburn, Oregon on our drive back to Washington State from California during our US vacation.

Oregon currently enjoys a 0% sales tax statewide, a blessed trait it shares with only four other states: Alaska, Delaware, Montana and New Hampshire.

Little wonder, then, that Oregon is one of the US’ prime shopping destinations.

Woodburn Premium Outlets, in particular, is conveniently located off Interstate 5 between Portland and Salem. It is the largest tax-free outlet mall in the western part of the US, with over 100 stores which include premium brands such as Adidas, American Eagle Outfitters, Ann Taylor, Calvin Klein, Coach, Cole Haan, Forever 21, Michael Kors, Nike, and more. Aside from the 0% sales tax, shoppers can enjoy additional discounts from clearance sales and in-store promos. Shopaholics and even us frugal shoppers will definitely find great deals and savings here.

As with most destinations and especially if you’re a budget traveller like me, it’s best to have a plan when shopping at Woodburn Premium Outlets. Here are some tips that served our family well in maximizing our Oregon shopping opportunity.

One: Do your homework.

Check out Woodburn Premium Outlets website – www.premiumoutlets.com – to scope out available merchandise and ongoing promos. You can also consult the site for a map of the outlets as well as dining options within the mall.

Two: Arrive early.

The fam discovered that it’s actually best to arrive as soon as the mall opens. The items are freshly and neatly arranged in their racks or shelves and you can easily spot and check out on limited-stock items.

Also, you will have more time to check in with your family and friends from back home on their bilins. Take advantage of the free Wi-fi in most stores to send your nears-and-dears pictures of their requested item in the store before you buy it for them.

Three: Divide and conquer.

One hundred plus stores are a lot to cover. So split up: those with kids can go straight to Disney Outlet Store or Osh Kosh B’gosh; those shopping for clothes can head on to Calvin Klein, Forever 21 or American Eagle Outfitters; the ones on the lookout for bags and shoes can look no farther than Naturalizer or Coach; while those looking for housewares can hie off to Corelle. This way, your group can cover more ground in less time.

Four: Dress comfortably.

With over 380,000 square feet of retail space to cover, you might want to make sure to wear comfortable shoes.

Plus, expect to do a lot of fittings so wear something you can fit clothes over or can easily be taken off in the fitting room.

Five: Be on the lookout for in-store deals.

The 0% sales tax already affords you with great savings but guess what, you can take advantage of in-store promos (such as buy one, get one at 50% off, etc.) for additional discounts of up to 65% off.

Don’t forget to scour the clearance racks! I scored a couple of hard-to-look-for boot-cut jeans at American Eagle Outfitters for USD19.99 (Php1,053) which would have cost me close to Php2,000 back home. And to think I was originally looking at a pair of jeans priced at USD59!

Also, upon checkout, the cashier may ask you for your email address or US phone number in exchange for additional discounts. I’m generally with this as I already have an email address dedicated to sales promotions.

Woodburn Premium Outlets is located at 1001 Arney Road, Woodburn, OR 97071-8447, open Mondays to Saturdays from 10am to 9pm and Sundays from 10am to 7pm. Special mall hours may apply during holidays.

For more details, visit its website.

How to let go of Game of Thrones

And so here we are.

After nearly a decade of watching its weekly installments, following the travails of its lead characters, and agonizing over the minutest detail to form our own theories (tin-foil or otherwise), we are down to one final episode of Game of Thrones.

While the finale of the series of this phenomenal TV hit show is one of the year’s most anticipated event, avid GOT fans may have some trouble saying goodbye to their Sunday primetime habit.

So, in preparation for the finale episode, here are five coping methods I will be employing to deal with all my feels and finally bid my favorite TV show farewell.

(Oh, in case it isn’t immediately apparent, there will be spoilers in the post.)

One: Remember the good times.

Yeah, GOT and me had us some good times.

Remember when Dany emerged unscathed from the flames of Drogo’s funeral pyre, and again after burning the khals’ tent (along with those mysogynistic khals) in Vaes Dothrak?

Or the one when Sansa pays Ramsay Bolton back for all the cruelties dealt to her by feeding him to his beloved hounds?

How about the time Arya proclaimed to House Frey that the North remembers and that winter came for them? And the most epic one yet: when she stuck the pointy end to the Night King?

Those were the times when I gave loud hoots of cheering and slow claps to the protagonists, the times when I felt that a show that routinely kills off lead characters can’t be so bad.

Two: Learn from the bad times.

I don’t about you but Ned Stark’s death left me so traumatized that I swore off the show for some time. (Well, as you can surmise, I eventually found my way back.)

At the start of the series, most of us thought that the protagonist was the honor-driven Warden of the North. While his sense of honor is something to aspire to, he was easily defeated by those who were willing and smart enough to play the game of thrones.

Oh, and if I’m in an enclosed space and I hear the opening strains of “The Rains of Castamere,” I would know enough to get the hell out.

Three: Express your pain.

Aside from snacks and drinks, I already readied a box of tissues for the finale airing. And fortunately, I’m on vacation so I won’t have to face my coworkers and other aspects of my daily life so soon after the finale. I will have time to scour social media for memes and reactions to the show before I go back to my daily grind.

Four: Share the load with your friends.

A problem shared is a problem halved, so they say. If the problem is the end of your favorite show, get together with your fellow GOT fans, diss on D&D for all the things they got wrong in the show (and praise them for all they got right), re-enact your favorite scenes, and basically, just be with the people who understand what you’re going through.

Five: Look forward to new and better things.

Take heart: the world of Westeros will not fade away into the murky mists of your memory anytime soon. A pilot for a spin-off series set during the Age of Heroes, thousands of years before the events of Game of Thrones, is in the works.

If the prospect of discovering the true origin of the White Walkers, the beginnings of the legendary Starks of Winterfell and the exotic mysteries of Essos won’t appeal to you, I don’t know what will.

So there you have it: a survival kit for the impending end of Game of Thrones. I hope it serves you well in the days to come… at least until the next pop culture phenom comes along. 🙂

And if you’re not yet ready to let go, you can still re-watch your favorite episodes. (I won’t judge, I promise.).

All Game of Thrones episodes from Season 1 to 8 are now available for streaming on HBO Go, exclusively available to SKYcable subscribers.

Based on the popular book series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” by George R.R. Martin, this hit Emmy®-winning fantasy series chronicles an epic struggle for power in a vast and violent kingdom. Members of the ensemble cast for the seventh season included Emmy® and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Aidan Gillen, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams. Season seven credits: executive producers, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger, Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Bryan Cogman, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, George R.R. Martin.

HBO GO is HBO’s online streaming service that enables subscribers to watch and enjoy the world’s best movies, HBO Originals and more through the website or the mobile app. Subscription to the service also gives SKY subscribers free access to cable channels – HBO Hits, HBO Family, and HBO Signature. To register your SKY account and subscribe to HBO GO, visit mysky.com.ph/hbogo.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

Check out my other recent posts on Game of Thrones:

Pizza takeaway at Pagliacci Pizza, Lake Forest Park, WA

For my family’s second night in the Evergreen State, and knowing that my little boy is a certified pizza monster, my bro decided to just take out some pizzas for dinner.

And his choice for pizzas? Pagliacci Pizza!

First opened in the University District in 1979 by an Italian family who just “wanted a place where we can get good pizza,” it eventually grew into a place where people gather for a good pizza meal.

It is also among the first restaurants in the area to make strides in growing greener by composting in its kitchens and dining areas, as well as ensuring that most of the packaging it uses are either conpostable or recyclable. Its operations also uses green power sourced from renewable energy sources in the Pacific Northwest.

However, Pagliacci Pizza’s claims to fame are the pizzas it serves which make imaginative use of local and seasonal ingredients to come up with specialty flavors and variants.

To satisfy the pizza cravings of everyone in the group, my bro took home:

The Original (USD13.99 for 11″). Pagliacci’s signature cheese pizza made with whole-milk mozzarella and our seasoned tomato sauce on hand-tossed dough, baked on bricks. This is perfect for my little boy (who’s crazy about all-cheese pizzas).

Extra Pepperoni (USD24.99 for 17″). A blanket of pepperoni covers a layer of mozzarella and Pagliacci’s seasoned tomato sauce.

Parma Primo (USD29.99 for 17″). A layer of prosciutto, mushrooms, goat cheese, mozzarella over olive oil, and finished with tomatoes and basil after done baking. Then flavors of the prosciutto and goat cheese go well together and are further enhanced by the earthy taste of the mushrooms and the fresh flavors of the basil leaves.

Well, we can definitely say that our pizza cravings are satisfied! My little boy, in particular, happily wolfed down his cheese pizza slices.

This Pagliacci Pizza outlet is located at 20059 Ballinger Way, Northeast, Lake Forest Park, 98155, open Sundays to Thursdays from 11am to 11pm and Fridays to Saturdays from 11am to 12 midnight.

Other branches are located at:

Ballard (85th Street): 851 NW 85th St.Seattle, WA 98117
Broadway: 426 Broadway East, Seattle, WA 98102
Capitol Hill (Miller St): 2400 10th Ave. E, Seattle, WA 98102
Columbia City: 4901 Rainier Ave S, Seattle, WA 98118
Fremont (Stone Way): 4003 Stone Way N, Seattle, WA 98103
Lake City Way: 8024 15th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98115
Edmonds: 10200 Edmonds Way,Edmonds, WA 98020
Madison: 3015 E Madison Street, Seattle, WA 98112
Magnolia: 1614 W Dravus Street, Seattle, WA 98119
Greenwood (145th Street): 315 N 145th St., Seattle, WA 98133
Queen Anne: 550 Queen Anne Ave North, Seattle, WA 98109
Sand Point: 6224 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
West Seattle: 4449 California Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116
Bridle Trails: 13005 NE 70th Place, Kirkland, WA 98033
Juanita: 11640 98th Ave. NE, Kirkland, WA 98034
Crossroads: 15238 Bel-Red Road, Bellevue, WA 98007
Kenmore: 6504 NE Bothell Way, Kenmore, WA 98028
Old Bellevue (Main Street): 8-100th Ave. NE, Bellevue, WA 98004
Mercer Island: 3077 78th Ave SE, Mercer Island , WA 98040
Sammamish: 22830 NE 8th St, Sammamish, WA 98074

For deliveries, call 206 7261717 or 425 4531717.

Check out the other restos I’ve tried in the Washington state area:

Top Pot Doughnuts, Bothell

Starbucks Reserve Roastery, Seattle

Enjoying the wind, waves and wildlife at Cannon Beach, OR

The weekend before the fam’s epic road trip to San Francisco, my bro took us to see the beauty of the Oregon Coast, particularly the Cannon Beach area.

It is nearly four miles of publicly accessible fine-sand beaches with a huge rock formation called Haystack Rock rising out 235 feet from the shore’s edge. It was formed 17 millions years ago by the same lava flows that created many of the headlands and rock formations that make up the Oregon Coast. We were fortunate that it was easily accessible during our visit due to low tide.

Haystack Rock is actually a National Wildlife Refuge where visitors can observe tidepools teeming with marine life. Tidepool creatures such as soft-bodied anemones, tidepool fishes and sea slugs are interesting to look at but are extremely fragile and may be senstive to exposure to air and sun. Visitors are advised to refrain from touching or moving the creatures they encounter in the tidepools.

How do you catch sight of these creatures? Here are some tips from the locals:

Be patient. You may need to take some time to see them.

Be still. Crabs, small fish, snails and see slugs nestled under rocks and seaweed may not be immediately visible.

Be careful. Walk on the sand or bare rock to avoid stepping on and harming living creatures like barnacles and mussels.

Haystack Rock is also an active nesting spot for many seabirds. Tufted puffins, in particular, are easily observable from spring to summer.

During quieter seasons, herds of Roosevelt Elk are sometimes known to emerge from the thick forests to graze along the coastal meadows, while Gray Whales make their annual migration.

The wide expanse of sand also makes a great venue for jogging, walking with dogs, or just hanging out with family or friends.

Well, our group certainly took advantage of the photo opps that the place afforded!

Interested in visiting? Here are other attractions nearby that you may want to include in your itinerary:

Ecola State Park. It boasts of easy walking paths, hiking trails and picnic areas, brrathtaking views of the historic Tillamook Rock Lighthouse and vantage areas for bird- and whale-watching.

Arcadia Beach. Located two miles south of Cannon Beach, it offers beach access to Lion Rock and beach walks to Hug Point to the south and Silver Point to the north.
Oswald West State Park. Stretching four miles along a temperate rainforest, this affords visitors with a picturesque secluded sandy beach and hiking trails that lead to awesome views of the Pacific Ocean.

For more details or help in planning your visit to Cannon Beach, visit CannonBeach.org.

Check out my posts the other attractions the fam and I visited during our US trip:

Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, Snohomish County, WA

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen: A rediscovery of sisterhood and magic

Two sisters grappling about their magical heritage, seeking acceptance from the other inhabitants of their small town. After years apart, they reunite, discover and appreciate their true selves while coming to terms with their past and win true love in the process.

In Sarah Addison Allen’s debut novel Garden Spells, magical realism, heartwarming romance and small-town sensibility combine to bring to life the warm and engaging story of sisters Claire and Sidney Waverly. Brought back to their ancestral house in Bascom, North Carolina by their mother after a life on the road, they grew up feeling isolated from their neighbors.

Claire, the older and “plainer” sister, took comfort in her magical talent with plants and cooking and builds a successful career as a caterer.

Sidney, on the other hand was seemingly blessed with beauty but without magical talent. She ran away and lived a life on the road until she returns with her daughter trying to escape an abusive relationship.

Together with their elderly cousin, Evanelle, their love interests, their supportive neighbors, their town rivals, and with the help of the enchanted apple tree that their family has been tending for centuries, the sisters discover their innate powers and their place in their small town.

The book’s style and structure bear similarities to other works in women’s literature that feature magical realism. With Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, it shares the plot element of two very different sisters reuniting and finding love in their small town after years apart. Like Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, on the other hand, it features the effects of food on people susceptible to magical ingredients.

I picked up this book during a booksale two years ago and only found time to read it when I brought it with me on a trip. I find the book’s humor and homey feel very endearing, and its lesson on self-acceptance quite relevant. This book is a great for a bit of light and easy reading.

I look forward to reading Addison’s recently released sequel titled First Frost set a few years after Garden Spells. In this novel, the Waverly girls have grown into their magical abilities while facing their daily struggles. One day, an unexpected stranger appears in their little town with a sinister intent.

Other works by Sarah Addison Allen include:

Lost Lake. Sometimes you find the things you’ve lost in the most unexpected places. But sometimes you find them exactly where you left them. Welcome to magical Lost Lake, Georgia.

The Girl Who Chased the Moon. Emily Benedict is about to find out if wallpaper can change pattern on its own, if a cake can bring back a lost love, and if there really is a ghost dancing in her back yard.

The Sugar Queen. Imagine a world where the color red has startling powers and passion can make eggs fry in their cartons. Welcome to snowy Bald Slope, North Carolina. There’s magic behind every closet door.

The Peach Keeper. Welcome to Walls of Water, North Carolina, where the secrets are thicker than the fog from the town’s famous waterfalls, and the stuff of superstition is just as real as you want it to be.

Waking Kate. Over a cup of butter coffee, Kate’s neighbor tells her a story of love and heartbreak that makes her remember her past, question her present, and wonder what the future will bring.

The Firefly Dance. Addison anchors this anthology with her funny novella about Louise, a North Carolina girl whose keen observations of the lives around her weaves an unforgettable spell with just a hint of everyday magic.

For more details or to buy any of these books on Amazon.com, simply click on the titles.

Book details taken from Sarah Addison Allen’s website and Amazon.com.

Check out my other blog posts on my favorite books:

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What to teach kids about traveling

Traveling is a rewarding activity for many of us. Going to unfamiliar places broadens our horizons by exposing us to novel experiences, diverse cultures and to new friends.

It can be more so for kids; taking them on out adventures into the wider world affords us opportunities to teach them lessons that will prove valuable to them in the future, not just when they venture out on their own trips, but as they go through their daily life.

Here are some of the lessons that you can impart to your kids as you go on the road.

One: How to travel light.

There is a limit to what you can take with you as you move from one place to another. Whether it depends on what your body can carry or the luggage capacity of your means of transportation, this limit forces you to prioritize which of your possessions will be of most use to you as you travel.

You will need to guide your little ones as they pick and choose items for the trip such as clothes that are easy to clean, those that don’t take up much space in your luggage and their essential toiletries.

Two: How to keep themselves entertained.

Not every moment you spend traveling will be exciting or interesting. You can expect downtimes when you can either rest or find a way to occupy your time.

The little ones may get antsy or bored during long wait periods or while in transit. So it would be wise to plan ahead with them on how they can keep themselves entertained while still packing light. They will need to leave behind their bulky game consoles in favor of easy-to-carry books, a pack of cards, and, with your permission of course, mobile electronics.

You can also take the opportunity to point out the sceneries you’re passing through or fill them in on the places where you’re going to drum up their excitement or spike their interest.

Three: How to discover on their own.

Some kids are adventurous by nature. They will want to strike out on their own. Nurture this inclination by helping them identify interesting places where they can safely venture out by themselves such as parks or play areas, with you keeping yourself easily accessible to them should they need you.

Of course, you will need to equip for their quest. Teach them to read maps and road signs, agree on places where they can meet up with you and point out places they can go to in case they need help.

Four: How to keep themselves safe.

Foremost among our concerns as parents is the safety of our kids. When traveling, little ones should be instructed to always stay near or within your sight, to be wary of strangers and to keep your contact details handy so that they can ask someone to get in touch with you should you get separated.

Five: How to stay on budget.

A big consideration in traveling is, of course, our budget. There may be times when the things you want to buy or the activities you want to experience may be beyond your means. Usually, you prioritize those that are more affordable or you limit yourself to those that are essential to your travel experience.

Similarly, you need to help your kids understand that they won’t be able to buy all their hearts’ desires during the trip. You can negotiate with them on which purchases you can afford that they can still enjoy.

Six: How to be good guests.

Remember, no matter which place you visit, you are basically visitors there. You and the kiddies should therefore behave as good guests. Aside from being polite to the people that you meet, you would also need to brush up on the basics of local customs so as not to offend anyone.

Furthermore, it is important to respect the local environment by following their conservation laws and cleanliness practices. As the famous quote among travellers goes:

Leave nothing but footprints.

Take nothing but pictures.

Kill nothing but time.

Seven: How to be thankful.

Not everyone has the means and opportunity to travel. It is therefore important for the kids to realize and appreciate the fact that they are able to.

For me, the best way to be thankful for opportunities such as these is to make the most of them in terms of learning and enjoyment.

Planning a trip with the kiddies any time soon? Do share your tips for traveling with kids.