Every day our members discover new and exciting places on their getaways. We want to thank Bob K. and his family for sharing their favorite places along the coast!
Top 9 beachside attractions
Lake Quinault - Rent a boat, dine at the Lodge, drive around the lake, drive to mountain viewpoint (Higley Peak), several short hikes: rain forest, ancient cedar tree, historic homestead, moss-draped maple grove, giant spruce tree.
Point Grenville - Undiscovered gem of the WA coast: seastacks, wide sandy beach, hidden volcanic beach
Taholah - Wonderful beach with rocks of Cape Elizabeth, mouth of Quinault river, massive spruce driftwood piles, pretty forest, view down to Point Grenville. (Taholah and Point Grenville require a tribal beach pass: $15 per family per day.)
Copalis Rock - Isolated seastack rock reached by 4 mile walk or drive down the beach. Nearby is the Copalis State Airport, where planes land right on the beach.
Kalaloch Coastline - Spectacular Ruby Beach, massive driftwood piles, tree-lined cliffs, miles of empty beach.
Hoh Rain Forest - Astonishing moss covered trees, beautiful drive along Hoh River, bring an umbrella
Quinault Beach Resort - Casino and restaurants
Ocean Shores - Rent electric boat on Duck Lake, ride horses, rent beach buggies, drive your car on the beach, fly kites, sand castles, many summer festivals, shopping
Westport - Catch a boat tour for whale watching, ocean fishing, ocean-going seabird watching, or a harbor tour. Historic lighthouse is tallest in Washington state. Many fine beaches with hills of sand for kids to play on.
VacationHouse Destinations
VacationHouse Destinations - Travel Blog for Vacation Home Rentals
Monday, June 30, 2008
Summer time at the beach
The North Beach area of the Washington Coast is about the beach!!
There’s so much to do - hiking, beachcombing, sunbathing, having a campfire, watching the sea birds and flying a kite.
Some great walks include: the Griffiths Priday bird sanctuary park at Copalis Beach, Joe Creek at Pacific Beach and Pacific Beach State Park to the Stairs at Ocean Crest Resort.
A great side trip is to Point Grenville, on the Quinault Reservation. A beautiful stretch of truly natural beach with arches, haystacks, etc.
Surf kayaking is particularly good at Pacific Beach, with easy access from the State Park day use area.
Surf fishing is good almost everywhere along the coast, but access is best at Ocean City, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.
There’s so much to do - hiking, beachcombing, sunbathing, having a campfire, watching the sea birds and flying a kite.
Some great walks include: the Griffiths Priday bird sanctuary park at Copalis Beach, Joe Creek at Pacific Beach and Pacific Beach State Park to the Stairs at Ocean Crest Resort.
A great side trip is to Point Grenville, on the Quinault Reservation. A beautiful stretch of truly natural beach with arches, haystacks, etc.
Surf kayaking is particularly good at Pacific Beach, with easy access from the State Park day use area.
Surf fishing is good almost everywhere along the coast, but access is best at Ocean City, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.
Ocean Shores Calendar of Events
There's some great events coming up at Ocean Shores. Let our Ocean Shores property be your home away from home as you're exploring Ocean Shores.
July 3, 2008 Ocean Shores Independence Day Picnic - Celebrate our Nation's Independence Day with this 4th Annual community-sponsored picnic on Thursday, the 3rd.
July 4, 2008 Fire O'er the Water - Watch as Ocean City lights up the night sky with fireworks on the 4th.
July 12-13, 2008 Big Weekend Triathlon & Footfest All "Trifreaks" welcome to participate in this 2nd annual event! Activities feature 1/2 Iron Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon, Half Marathon, 10k Run, and 5k Run.
July 25-27, 2008 Sun and Surf Run - Get your favorite Harley T-shirt and join over 2,000 motorcycles at the Convention Center. Enjoy stunt riders, a motorcycle parade, a bonfire & fireworks on the beach, and vendors. Visit www.sunandsurfevent.com
September 5-7, 2008 Arts and Crafts Festival - 40th annual event. Visit one of Western WA's largest indoor & outdoor handmade arts and crafts bazaars. 1,000's of unique items are showcased by gifted artists and talented craftspeople. Admission is free.
September 27-28, 2008 Paddle the Shores - Attention kayak, canoe, and paddling enthusiasts. Paddle Activities on the lakes and canals of Ocean Shores. Poker Paddle, races, seminars, boat demonstrations and a participant picnic on Sunday.
October 3-5, 2008 Whale of a Quilt Show - Sea-Gals Quilters show offers vendors, handmade quilts, demonstrations, and quilted items. The show is judged and prizes are awarded. Free admission.
November 7-9, 2008 Dixieland Jazz Festival - Jazz bands from around the United States and Canada join together to offer over 100 hours of live jazz at several venues throughout Ocean Shores. For more information visit http://www.users.techline.com/diggindixie/
November 28-30, 2008 Winter Fanta-Sea - Over 70 arts and crafts booths feature thousands of unique handmade items just in time for the holidays! Bring the kids, Santa will be there to listen to all of your Christmas wishes.
December 12-13, 2008 North Beach Singers Christmas Cantata - The North Beach Singers present Yuletide favorites to bring in the Holiday Season. Admission is free.
July 3, 2008 Ocean Shores Independence Day Picnic - Celebrate our Nation's Independence Day with this 4th Annual community-sponsored picnic on Thursday, the 3rd.
July 4, 2008 Fire O'er the Water - Watch as Ocean City lights up the night sky with fireworks on the 4th.
July 12-13, 2008 Big Weekend Triathlon & Footfest All "Trifreaks" welcome to participate in this 2nd annual event! Activities feature 1/2 Iron Triathlon, Olympic Triathlon, Sprint Triathlon, Half Marathon, 10k Run, and 5k Run.
July 25-27, 2008 Sun and Surf Run - Get your favorite Harley T-shirt and join over 2,000 motorcycles at the Convention Center. Enjoy stunt riders, a motorcycle parade, a bonfire & fireworks on the beach, and vendors. Visit www.sunandsurfevent.com
September 5-7, 2008 Arts and Crafts Festival - 40th annual event. Visit one of Western WA's largest indoor & outdoor handmade arts and crafts bazaars. 1,000's of unique items are showcased by gifted artists and talented craftspeople. Admission is free.
September 27-28, 2008 Paddle the Shores - Attention kayak, canoe, and paddling enthusiasts. Paddle Activities on the lakes and canals of Ocean Shores. Poker Paddle, races, seminars, boat demonstrations and a participant picnic on Sunday.
October 3-5, 2008 Whale of a Quilt Show - Sea-Gals Quilters show offers vendors, handmade quilts, demonstrations, and quilted items. The show is judged and prizes are awarded. Free admission.
November 7-9, 2008 Dixieland Jazz Festival - Jazz bands from around the United States and Canada join together to offer over 100 hours of live jazz at several venues throughout Ocean Shores. For more information visit http://www.users.techline.com/diggindixie/
November 28-30, 2008 Winter Fanta-Sea - Over 70 arts and crafts booths feature thousands of unique handmade items just in time for the holidays! Bring the kids, Santa will be there to listen to all of your Christmas wishes.
December 12-13, 2008 North Beach Singers Christmas Cantata - The North Beach Singers present Yuletide favorites to bring in the Holiday Season. Admission is free.
Pacific Beach Calendar of Events
If you're looking for upcoming activities at Pacific Beach, look no farther - and of course we have one of the finest homes in Pacific Beach as your home base for all of the upcoming events.
Here's what's coming up:
August 23,24 Copalis Beach Duck Race. Copalis BeachRubber ducks are purchased and floated down the Copalis River for prizes.
August 30th and 31st Is the KELPERS WEEKEND! Featuring the Kelpers Parade on Sunday the 31st starting at 12noon from Moclips. The weekend begins with the Kiddies Parade on Saturday at 12noon on Main street from the Post Office to "The Wacky Warehouse"-After the Kiddies Parade on Saturday the Moclips VS Pacific Beach "TUG of WAR" will be on the beach. We will also have a street dance on Saturday Evening. There will be all kinds of VENDORS on Main ST. SAT.& SUN. Also the "SHAKE-RAT RENDEZVOUS"-We hope you can come to enjoy the festivities! Contact 360-276-4727 for more information.
September 5-7th, The 2008 Kite Festival The festival will be at Pacific Beach State Park.
October 27th KXPB 89.1fm hosts a Halloween party at the Pacific Beach resort and conference center.
October 31st Haunted House. Pacific Beach resort and conference center.
December to New Years Christmas Lights “Babes in Toyland”
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Latest Fuel Cost Report
There's an interesting gas price study out by the EPA that I read in the June 16th BusinessWeek. While it's getting more painful to fill the tank lately, the EPA says that the price we're paying now as compared to June 2007 isn't much more. The report compared the cost of driving round trip to destinations this year, vs last year at the same time. The results were very revealing - end result is that it doesn't cost much more to drive to your favorite vacation spot this year vs what it did last year.
From the report - how much more this year it costs vs last year roundtrip: (By Car/By SUV)
Los Angeles to Las Vegas: $15.04/$20.01
Denver to Grand Canyon: $42.51/$56.55
Chicago to Memphis: $29.75/$39.58
Atlanta to Orlando: $24.46/$32.54
Montreal to New York: $21.23/$28.24
From the report - how much more this year it costs vs last year roundtrip: (By Car/By SUV)
Los Angeles to Las Vegas: $15.04/$20.01
Denver to Grand Canyon: $42.51/$56.55
Chicago to Memphis: $29.75/$39.58
Atlanta to Orlando: $24.46/$32.54
Montreal to New York: $21.23/$28.24
New Whistler property added to the portfolio
We're excited to announce the latest property in the portfolio; a 2 bedroom, 2 bath condo in Whistler's Village North. It's a great homebase for all the incredible activities that only Whistler can offer. Look for it on the club properties page. We look forward to welcoming you on your next Whistler getaway.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Top 10 summer hikes in Mazama
We've had a few people ask us recently what the best hikes in Mazama are during the summer. We've put together our favorite list and included some tips that you've shared with us too. Let us know your favorite hike and we'll add it to the list! By far, our favorite hike is Cutthroat lake. The reward at the end is amazing, the peacefulness is incredible and the abundance of trout that are more than willing to jump on your fly rod can't be beat!
* Monument Creek/Lost River- Easy hike through woods along Lost River for 4 miles to Eureka Creek. Except for the sound of the river in the Spring, serenity is the best description for this part of the hike. The trail then climbs 4600' in 5 miles to Pistol Pass (7300") then drops 2800' to Monument Creek. The mouth of the legendary Lost River Gorge can be glimpsed. The trail past Eureka Creek is rarely hiked, and not maintained, but half dozen switch backs past the creek mountain goats have been seen.
* West Fork Methow River- The trail follows the Methow river for 6 miles then ascends to hook up with the Pacific Crest trail at 7 miles: Flowers and the sound of rushing water make this trail special.
* Goat Peak- Two plus mile hike up to Goat Peak (and fire watch tower which is manned during summer - Lightening Bill and his dog love company. Moderate climb the first mile to mountain meadow then steep last mile to top (7000'). 360 degree view of area from one of the highest points in the valley. Eleven mile drive up logging road (good condition) to trail head. Overlook at 7 miles.
* Robinson Pass- Trail follows Robinson Creek giving great views of high massive wooded ridges and rocky cliffs eventually ending 9 miles later at 6200 ft Robinson pass (you start at 2600 ft). You cross several creeks, over bridges, and though the Pasayten Wilderness on the way. From the Pass you can connect with several other trails including the Pacific Crest Trail.
* Cutthroat Lake/Pass- Easy 2 mile hike to Cutthroat Lake (1,000' gain). The lake sits at the base of a large cirque. Another 3 ½ miles climbs 2,000' to Cutthroat Pass where there are great alpine views. One of the best trails to see Mountain Goats.
* Maple Pass/Lake Ann Loop: - Spectacular 7 ½ mile loop trail starting off Hwy 20 at Rainy Pass. Starting at 4,800' its a steady climb to 5,800 Heather Pass or 6,400 Maple Pass. A side trip to Lake Ann is about 2 miles and 500' elevation gain from the trail head. Highly reco mmended hike.
* Hart's Pass- 20 miles from the Mazama Country Inn to Hart's pass. First 6 miles paved the rest is forest service road. It's in good shape. Dead Horse point is a little scary but doesn't last long and is safe. At Harts Pass vistas of the Cascades and Mt. Baker are great. This is the highest, maintained road in the State of Washington. Three more miles takes you just short of Slate Peak. A ¼ mile walk brings you to the 7,000' Slate Peak which gives you a 360 view of the Cascades and Pasayten Wilderness. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses Hart's Pass. Other trails radiate out from there also.
* Buckskin Ridge: Starts between Hart's Pass and Slate Peak. 11.5 miles rated "more difficult" by Forest Service.
* Windy Pass: Part of the Pacific Crest Trail it starts between Hart's Pass and Slate Peak and heads north to Canada. Trail head starts at about 6,500' and has less than 100' net gain to Windy Pass at about 4 miles. The trail continues on to the Canadian border approximately 30 miles. Starting above tree line one strolls through mountain meadows with unobstructed views of the Cascades, including views of Silver Star Glacier and Mt Baker.
* Grasshopper Pass: Part of the Pacific Crest Trail it starts at Hart's Pass and goes south to Rainy Pass on Hwy 20. Turn left at Hart's Pass and drive toward Meadow's campground. The trail begins where the road ends. Trail head starts at 6,300'. Net elevation gain is approximately 500' but more up and down than Windy Pass. Where Windy Pass gives you wide panoramic views of the mountains, Grasshopper Pass puts you right into them. The Pass is about 5 ½ miles one way.
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