Northern WA Cascades

Just returned from a four-day camping excursion with my kids. Three and a half hours NE of Seattle lies Washington’s Methow Valley  - a mecca for nature lovers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. I was not prepared for the sweeping views on our drive along the North Cascades highway and had the struggle to keep my eyes on the road – The Gorge Dam, Liberty Bell Mountain, the staggering amount of snow at the 6000ft level (a testament to our unusually cold and wet winter) . After many “photo op” stops along the highway,  we arrived at Winthrop, a tiny western town that makes up for the kitschy ambience with great stores and food.  The variety of ice cream and candy at Sheri’s sweet shop, was almost too much for my poor libra son Josh. He finally chose a rocky road bear claw over the chocolate covered twinkie. I dumped the coffee concoction I was handed though (being the Seattle coffee snob I am) and headed to the Rocking Horse Bakery and coffee shop for a cappuccino that was much more satisfying. Finding the Trail’s End bookstore held the same excitement and allure for me as the candy store. The owners are always great and the smaller size lends itself to a coziness that the big box chains don’t. Josh trotted happily away with a copy of “Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction; build implements of spitball warfare” tucked under his arm, Genevieve got a doodle book and I treated myself with a brand new journal (which I will write in longer than a week – really, I will this time).

We camped at the KOA campground. The lone tent in a sea of RV’s. I wasn’t that surprised – I mean this IS Camping with a “K” ; aka for people that just can’t quite manage the great outdoors without all the comforts of the great indoors. Admittedly, I chose the campground for the same reason. This was my first solo outdoor excursion with the kids and I wanted a trial run before I attempt to put up a tent or light a fire in the middle of nowhere. I accomplished both without difficulty (hmmm I feel strangely empowered…maybe I’ll build a yurt next weekend).  The kids had a ball playing in the playground, swimming in the pool, and I had time to grab a hot shower (so underrated at home) and prepare dinner on the grill. We ate smores at night and Josh and I stayed up late talking under the stars. Moms, take note, you want a better dialogue with your kids? Light a fire, keep them tempted with burning marshmallows, and the rest will take care of itself.

Being in the Methow Valley, I made sure we spent most of our time outdoors, so we based our activities at Sun Mountain Lodge, a rustic but gorgeous resort that dates back to 1968 and sits 3000ft atop a mountain. We went horseback riding and hiking through the lodge’s vast trail system. We saw Deer, osprey, rare flowers and took in the views, and the kids loved it. Kids are so adaptable and share an inherit love of nature – throw them outside and they’ll thrive.

Now we’re back and I sit amidst piles of laundry, dishes, and unpacked camping gear. The kids have adapted to being back and are glued to their prospective computer/video/tv screens.  I am very tempted to just throw everything back into the truck and take off on another outdoor adventure.

The day before Eugene my husband left on a month-long business trip, we had one last hurrah by spending the day on Whidbey Island. The island is a favorite destination for us  - it’s close, includes a short, but fun (and cheap!) ferry ride, and it’s a little like stepping back in time. Family farms are dotted along lush green hillsides, country inns and stores greet you every couple of miles, and everything slows down, as is typical of many islands that dot the upper Puget Sound. We had lunch at Anthony’s restaurant in Coupeville, which happens to be one of the oldest towns in Washington. I love this little town – it’s quaint in a touristy-sort of way, with gift shops, ice cream parlors, and espresso cafes, but it’s also authentic – many of the original buildings that line the street date back to the first half of the 19th century. We had ice cream after lunch at Kapaws Iskreme (warning: the single is actually THREE scoops, for THREE dollars!), and headed down to the beach to relax in the sun. The kids were fascinated with the fully intact crab shells and insisted in bringing them home. Needless to say the sunroof and windows stayed open the entire drive back. Good times though – check out Coupeville’s visitor site at http://www.cometocoupeville.com/.

The crab that came home with us