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One of our favorite summer family traditions is to go camping, or car camping, or as I sometimes refer to it as glamping.

Every year since Jonah was born, we’ve always traveled to Deception Pass for its convenient location from Seattle, proximity to water and the scenic views. This year, I thought we’d try a different campground and state park to change things up, and explore more of our beautiful state. Another reason I sought out different accommodations was to have a more turn-key and convenient experience with our now mobile toddler. Setting up camp isn’t the easiest task, especially when you have an 18-month old who thinks anything that looks dangerous, sharp, or hot is fun. Enter cabin camping, not a new concept, but new for our family.  John loves to rough it and roughing it is what he does well and with ease via backpacking or car camping.

Up for the new experience, John agreed to the change in camping accommodations this year as long as I agreed not to pack as much glam (yeah right).

We booked a cabin at Camano Island State Park, just an hour and a half north of Seattle by car. Known for its rocky shoreline and beach, I always love camping by the water, not to mention the scenic drive and views of the surrounding mountains not too far from home.

 

Being that there are only five cabins at Camano Island State Park, I loved the idea of our campsite being more private, not crammed with too many neighbors, and the added convenience of not having to set up a tent! The cabin came furnished with beds, a refrigerator, freezer, microwave, chairs, and table, and a rolling cart for food prep. Some friends joined us for the weekend and were able to book the last cabin just across from ours. The kids freely explored around the cabin sites, trails, and rode around on their bikes and scooters while us parents relaxed and enjoyed lots of wine and beer by the fire.

 

There happened to be a boat festival down on the beach and the kids had the opportunity to craft their own wooden boats.

 

We ate well, drank well, explored the nature setting and spent time with good friends. Now that we’ve experienced cabin camping, I think this may be the route our family will take going forward.

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The W has always been known for its modern sophisticated style, incorporating art and design features throughout the hotel. When the W came to Seattle over a decade ago, the hotel added a sophisticated touch to Downtown Seattle hotels. Opening the W Bellevue only seemed like the next step to elevate the luxury hotel experience in the NW, and enhancing Downtown Bellevue’s already vast growing cosmopolitan vibe.

 

It’s a bit of a challenge to find at first, but once you’ve frequented the spot a few times, it becomes second nature. Upon entering, you are greeted with the grand presence of amazing local mural art by Gaia in which the mural spans three walls and up the staircase. The stairs are lit which evokes an exciting and wonderous feeling of where you’ll end up.

 

As you make your way up the stairs, this is where the magic happens. The second level houses the Lakehouse restaurant and the Living Room Bar. My favorite feature is The Porch just outside of the Living Room Bar. It’s the quinessential indoor/outdoor living Northwesterners crave. A giant sectional and fireplace in the middle of the patio anchors the space, while swings and rockers are situated around the perimeter of the patio where great territorial views of Downtown Bellevue can be seen.

Another mural covers one wall – so instagrammable. The service was great as with any W hotel. We enjoyed our drinks on the patio followed by dinner downstairs across to Fogo De Chao. I’ll definitely be making the Living Room Bar of the W a happy hour hang out spot this summer season.

 

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Living in Seattle and the Eastside, Portland has always been a favorite quick travel stop for food, tax-free shopping, and outdoor pursuits.  I was traveling to PDX for work during the kids’ mid-winter break, I decided to take the kids and make it a work trip/family vacation. Since my last visit to Portland, a new artisan food venue recently opened (May last year) that we had the opportunity to check out: Pine Street Market.

Pine Street Market, which opened in the spring of 2016, is located in downtown Portland in the historic Carriage & Baggage Building and features nine of Portland’s best chefs and purveyors, in a casual, open layout. I have a thing for historic buildings, especially when they are preserved, updated, and utilized for todays lifestyle.

 

Of the nine restaurants, we tried OpWurst, Kim Jong Smokehouse, (pictured above), Bless Your Heart Burgers, and WizBang Bar (Salt & Straw’s lil cousin).  I’m interested to see what other chefs and purveyors Pine Street Market will feature as the venue and concept grows.

 Kids Happy Hour Cones! Yes please!

Mural by by Ashley Montague

 

 

Of course, a trip to Portland wouldn’t be complete without indulging in some tax-free shopping. I finally made it to the Danner Factory Store as I’ve been wanting Danner hiking boots forever, this was a must-buy on my list. These are the only hiking boots I would splurge for. I was excited to find the Mountain Light women’s available in my size for a fraction of the regular retail price, score! Can’t wait to break these babies in.

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We’ve had one busy and enjoyable spring-summer season. I unplugged from the blog to enjoy summer break with my boys with the occasional IG posts, but I thought recapping our busiest seasons in our family would be fitting for the blog as we enter fall.

Here’s a run down of our favorite memories of the past spring-summer season:

  • Traveling to Disneyworld! Our first visit together as a family of FOUR to the Most Magical Place on Earth, April
  • Baptism for our son Baron, April
  • Running my first “mindful triathlon” at Wanderlust 108, May
  • Celebrating John’s and my 8th wedding anniversary, June
  • Camping trip to Deception Pass (Baby Baron’s first), June
  • 4th of July on Vashon
  • Getting a trampoline for the backyard! August (review to follow)
  • Jonah’s birthday trip at Great Wolf Lodge, September
  • Baron turning 1! October
  • The boys’ joint Fall birthday party at the Pumpkin Patch, complete with a bonfire and s’mores in the corn maze (my favorite!), October

Enter fall. Fall is my favorite time of the year to slow down, reflect, plan, and enjoy cozy moments at home and to be outdoors with nature. It’s also when kids go back to school, I start a new planner, we get back to our routines, the leaves turn and the colors outside are glorious, the days shorter, nights longer, pumpkins are everywhere, farms are in full harvest mode, I celebrate my birthday, along with numerous other fabulous October birthdays, and not to mention, fall décor and the fall fashions!

What are some of your favorite fall traditions?

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I attended my first Wanderlust 108 festival in Redmond WA this past May. Being that I’ve never ran a 5k or even thought about doing a triathlon, I loved the idea of an untimed 5k run or walk, followed by yoga and meditation afterward set in a beautiful outdoor setting. Seemed like an ideal way to spend my Sunday morning. I recruited my girlfriend Cindy who I knew would up be up for the wellness challenge and unique fitness experience.

Wanderlust 108 is the world’s only “mindful triathlon,” combining a 5k run, a 90 minute yoga class, and a large scale, led meditation. They take the concept of a traditional triathlon and focus on wellness and community, rather than competition. Whether you like to run and are new to meditation or love yoga and practice in a small studio, the Wanderlust 108 provides the opportunity to connect with a like-minded crew, make some new connections and leave the event at the end of the day feeling better than arrived. The event surely sounded like a makeover for the soul, an appropriate way to celebrate springtime in Seattle and start the day on a yoga high note!