Thanks for the Summer!

Am I the only one who blinked, looked at the calendar, and realized it was October? I mean. Yesterday. The air in my neighborhood is flooded with the smell of wood burning stoves and I can no longer take the dog out in the morning without a coat. There are less kites flying on the beach and there are whispers of clam digs to come. Autumn is getting into the swing of things and I'm getting excited for family dinners, new yarn for cozy crochet projects and planning a family of Halloween costumes. Summer was been really busy and really gratifying, but I'm excited to watch the seasons change into something new.

In the beginning of the summer, here at Go Go Grays Harbor we sent out an open calling to small, local businesses in Grays Harbor County for our Brighter Summer Business opportunity. We had big goals to immerse ourselves in as many festivals and events as possible, bring along our Green Screen, hand out sunglasses and have a lot of fun. We were met with tremendous support and these few adventurous companies gave us the opportunity to prove what we already knew was true: Grays Harbor County has so much to offer, you only need to get out and explore it.

These businesses also sponsored our first event: End of Summer Sand Fest! We had a blast hosting and we're pretty sure everyone that came out enjoyed the sun with us! We're excited for next year and can't wait to grow this event into something even more fun.

...like living at the beach, Vacation by the Sea

Imagine not having to load up your vehicle every time you wanted a little sea air.  Imagine no long car rides home after a sandy filled day at the beach.  Imagine walking out on your balcony and breathing the clean fresh salt air.  There is certainly nothing like living at the beach and while real estate on the sand may be at a premium these days, you can experience all the perks of living at the beach with Vacations by the Sea.

There are buzzwords that my co-workers who live at the beach always seem to say, relaxing, calm, open and peacefull.  If you ask me, I go to any beach I am even remotly near for the ambiance.  Something about sitting near that water that is so refreshing.  I dont even mind the sand.

Site upon site out there in internet land sings the praises of Vacations by the sea, this gem in Westport, from Judy's Book, to TripAdvisor, NorthWest Escapes and of course, GoGo ourselves!

So even if you cant afford to buy, you can certainly afford to visit and stay.  Wake up everyday to the ocean and pretend you live there.  Even if is only for the weekend!

An artist rendering of the Vacation by the Sea condos located on the beach in Westport, WA.



photo courtesy of Vacations by the Sea



Everyday is a Vacation by the Sea

Late in the afternoon on Sunday as I was cleaning up the messes from the day and contemplating exactly how un-fun (yes it is now a word) being an adult is on beautiful summer days, my husband suggested a drive to the coast.  Westport more specifically.  It was about six o'clock in the evening and the sun was hours from setting so we packed up the dog and headed out of town.  On the drive to what I have always referred to as my 'happy place', I took a minute to realize how lucky we are to live where we live.  It takes about a 1/2 hour to drive from the middle of Cosmopolis into Westport and once you are there you are literally on the beach! 

Having left the house quickly, I was slightly unprepared for the unpredictable weather that can sometimes accompany a trip to our beaches.  I usually have an emergency towel or two, a few bottles of water, (for when our dog Barley eats too much sand) an extra pair of shoes and a sweatshirt or two.  However on this day we left the house with one towel that Barley had been using for a blanket in the back of my SUV, flip flops on our feet and no sweatshirts to be seen.  Risky? Yes. Did it pay off? Absolutely.  A good day in Westport is a coastal wind that must be endured with a hooded jacket and a pair of jeans, but Sunday evening was windless and sunny, a perfect evening to play on the sand with Barley.  We didn't need the extra towel, we didn't even need a jacket! 

For now, my family does not need to plan an extended vacation to enjoy the beach, but having lived in the middle of the Mojave Desert for a little over a year I can appreciate how long of a drive it is for most people to reach the ocean and boy do I feel for them.  However with the advent of great vacation spots it is easier to dream of the sea even when you live miles and miles from it.  In Westport the place that gets my whole hearted thumbs up is Vacations by the Sea.  Condos with a view, and accommodations that allow you to enjoy the beach no matter what the weather.  A day at the beach can require several changes of clothes and a few different pairs of footwear, which is made all the easier when you rent a condo near the ocean.  You can enjoy the salty air, (and sand between your toes) knowing that you have a comfy place just minutes away to return to and relax in.  Vacations by the Sea also has many pet-friendly condos and loves to accept pictures of your puppy on the beach at forthedogs@vacationsbythesea.  This is a huge plus for people like my husband and me who take our large dog with us wherever we go. 

Vacations by the Sea has a great connection to the social networks, you can find them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Pinterest.  They have a very informative website vacationbythesea.com and take reservations both online and by phone at (360) 268-1119.