When you hear of a Mardi Gras Night you know you are in for a treat and a fun-filled party. Mardi Gras has a rich history that some say began in the US when the French explorers celebrated the holiday in New Orleans in 1699.
If you do not own a time traveling machine, and cannot go back to this first Mardi Gras, there is an alternative.
Saturday night, October 20 at 5:30, travel out to the Ocean Shores Convention Center to celebrate Mardi Gras Night. Hosted by the Ocean Shores/North Beach Chamber of Commerce, Mardi Gras Night has all the trimmings of a celebration not to be missed.
Tickets are on sale at the Chamber main office for $35, and all proceeds are going to help support the chamber and the work it does for our beach communities.
Included in the evening festivities will be a live auction with local radio personality Luceman and weekend travel packages will also be available for bidding.
Enjoy delicious Creole and Cajun food including jalapeno corn bread, blackened salmon, and sweet potato souffle, while you dance with the Ocean Shores Pirates to Zydeco music from Charlie Baer's collection. At the conclusion of the evening, the Business of the Year award will be bestowed on one of the monthly winners throughout the year.
Don't know much about the simple, delicious cranberry? Neither do we here at Go Go. However that is all about to change this weekend We will be where you should be, in Grayland, at the 2012 Cranberry Harvest Festival. Running two days, the 13th and the 14th, the festival includes a cook off, cranberry bog tours and Jog the Bog and Beach on Sunday. Kick off the weekend with a Cranberry Harvest Breakfast from 8 am to Noon on Saturday then cruise the Cranberry Market Place and vendors starting at 10 am. Sign up for one of the many Bog Tours throughout the day and then relax listening to the music of Bob Gorton and Virgil Stroeheon. Saturday night concludes with a Firefly Parade at 8 pm and Sunday ends with the awarding of a trophy to the winner of the Big Berry weigh in and a Cranberry eating contest.
We cannot wait to check out this festival this weekend and will be sure to share information and pictures as soon as we can. Come join us this weekend in Grayland for a Bogtastic time.
Your First Crush is important. You remember how old you were, where you were, and what you were doing when you first fell in love. First Crushes make an impression, not only in love but in wine! The aptly named first crush can be defined as the first press, the noun crush refers to the harvest. The verb crush refers to breaking the de-stemmed grape skins before press.
However you define it, The Crush Me, Squeeze Me, Make Me Wine (at the Beach) Festival is happening this Sunday, October 7 from 11am to 4pm, and is shaping up to be just as memorable as your own first crush.
Come out to experience a (pardon the pun) grape-stomping good time. There will be soup, music, and the Lucy and Ethyl look-alike contest open to men, women, children and dogs. Yes, you can fulfill the fantasy that every I Love Lucy fan dreams about by tying your hair up in a cute little bandanna, wearing your long flowing skirt in a way that reminds me slightly of a large adult diaper (sorry but it does!) and stopping the seeds our of fresh vine grapes to dye your toes purple. I personally would love to dress my friends little puppy in a lucy-look-a-like costume!
More importantly if you find your way out to the Westport Winery this weekend you will get the chance to learn about wine making form berry to bottle by picking, crushing, sipping and stomping the silly out of the grapes. (too much sipping and you might be silly as well)
Visit the Winery's event home page at westportwinery.org or call at 360- 648-2224 .
Westport Winery, Corner of SR105 & South Arbor Road, halfway between Westport and Aberdeen.
With the success of shows such as American Pickers, Auction Hunters and of course the classic Antiques Roadshow we really do have the feeling that one persons junk is another persons treasure. All you have to do is rummage though someones hardly used barn and 'poof ', you can find that one of a kind bicycle that was only made for one year and you could never find replacement parts to. Whatever your skill level in the art of 'picking', this weekend there are 30 miles of treasure to look through on the 30 Miles of Junque highway from Westport to Tokeland and Ocosta. Looking for sea glass? You just might find some hidden in a garage sale on this beach highway. How about a buoy or two? That perfect end table for your living room? What about a used book that you have always wanted to buy? The 15th annual garage sale that gets drivers off the main road and exploring the hidden wonders of the beach highway is the place for all treasure hunters this weekend.
9 a.m to 5 p.m. on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th. Some might call this an extravaganza of a weekend, and if you are into bargain hunting it is sure to please everyone young and old.
Interested in participating? Do you live in the area and have noticed your garage filling up with unwanted items that someone else might find a use for? Sign your site up or get a group together and sign up your block by clicking the above link for the sellers application. Only $15 dollars and you can have your site on the 8,000 maps to be handed out to business in the area. The only requirements of participation are that you list the top five things that your garage sale can bring customers and remember, nobody loves a mooch!
Contact the Westport/Grayland Chamber of Commerce for more information at 800-345-6223.
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.
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.
Holy heat wave, Harborites! Have you all burnt to a crisp in this week’s hot weather?! Thank goodness this weekend’s temperatures will drop enough for us to want to leave the comfort of AC. What do you have planned to take advantage of the sunny and 70’s? Whether your family has a day free or just an hour, get wet relief at one of these five places:
1) Vance Creek County Park
Babies love the Elma Ponds!
East county is supposed to be a bit warmer than on the beach this weekend which offers a great opportunity to enjoy the water and surrounding area of Vance Creek. The Elma ponds are open year round for day use, and the perfect time to enjoy them is when the sun is shining. Grab your family and head out for a day of swimming, boating, fishing or football. The two ponds are bordered by small beaches which is ideal for a dip during hot weather, just be cautious as no lifeguard is on duty. Eat lunch at the picnic tables and start a pick up game of football in the grassy fields. Take your kayaks or canoes out for a spin around the pond, or stop along the way to fish for your supper. When the weather cools down and you are done swimming your heart out, take a stroll along the walking paths that loop around the ponds and are shaded by the beautiful trees and grass. However you beat the heat, make sure Vance Creek is on your list for this weekend and don't forget to bring your sunscreen!
2) Finch Playfield Spray Park
Blogger Alexis' daughter, Gabby,
squeals in delight!
Hands down one of the funnest Aberdeen parks in the summertime, Finch Playfield's spray park is a great destination for families with limited time since its conveniently located just off of Sumner Ave in West Aberdeen. Let the little ones explore with spray cannons, a water spouting dragon and stompable fountains - its the only shower they'll ask for! Bring a book, lay out a towel and catch some rays while they play.
3) Lake Aberdeen
Gabby contemplates Lake Aberdeen.
If you haven't been to the new Lake Aberdeen, you're missing out. Remember our post earlier this year about the new look? It's worth checking out. For a few free hours, pack up the family and a picnic and head out to enjoy casual swimming, rock climbing and probably even duck spotting or newt catching. If you've got a canoe, kayak or small boat, bring it out and float around. Don't let the fish nibble your toes!
4) The Beaches
Diggin' a hole to China
Didn't we just remind you about these? Seriously, pick a beach and visit! These make a great half-day or whole day trips. Actually, we've written about them twice this summer already (and had a Go Go Grays Harbor retreat at one), so we might be a little beach-crazy right now. Check out these two earlier posts for ideas on where to go and what to do: Summer Weekend At Our Beaches and PNW Beaches and What To Do With One.
5) Wynoochee Dam
Its only serene until the
kids start splashing...
Ok, this one just begs for a full weekend commitment. Camping at Wynoochee Dam- I bet you've done it at least once. But we all know that as summer comes to an end, those first-come-first-serve camping scenarios are such a gamble. Who wants to drive up, fully packed for camping just to find out all the sites are already called for? So make a day trip out of it. The water of Lake Wynoochee seems to always be swim-friendly temperatures, and the swimming/day picnic area is so large that there's room for everybody. Plus, the kids will make lots of new friends when they all conspire to tip over the floating dock (Shhh... don't tell them it's anchored - the effort will wear them out good!). If you're family is the water-craft-enthusiast type, then bring your Sea Doo or Jet Ski too - there's a boat launch for this 4.4 mile lake.
Westport is for surfers, it is a place for food lovers and whale watchers and summer fun. This weekend it is the place to be for art and entertainment. The 15th annual Westport Art Festival is August 18th-19th and with the weather promising to be in the 80's it should be a beautiful weekend to get a little culture and soak up the rays. Check out the list of vendors and juried art booths here.
If you happen to head to Grayland this weekend you are not going to want to miss the Jet Ski competition sponsored by Wishkah River Distillery. The Grayland Open starts August 17th with a rider clinic and continuing with competitions throughout the weekend. You are going to want to stick around for the BBQ, music and free entertainment.
When sipping wine is more your speed, visit Ocean Shores this weekend for
the Grapes, Paints and Prints Festival. Sipping Serendipity and the Creative Light Gallery are hosting this vintage festival in their parking lot on Saturday, August 18th starting at 1 p.m.. Enjoy the wine and art while breathing in the beach air.
So much music, so little time! End the summer on a high note out at the beach!
Seabrook is bringing the music to our warm summer nights.
Friday, August 10 - Sunday, August 12
Seabrook's is hosting their first annual Summer Music Festival!
Starting with music at Mill 109 on Friday evening and continuing with live music on every street in Seabrook on Saturday. Saturday performances include Tom May, Jim Sanders, Oliver Mulholland, Peter Jordan, and John Basker.
The Dusty 45s from Seattle are the headliners on Sunday and will be playing on the Village Green.
Mill 109's wonderful food is the highlight of a cookout with hot dogs, burgers, and a Beer Garden!
When my husband and I took over as innkeepers at the Pacific Beach Inn, one of our biggest goals was to build up a business we could be proud to offer. It wasn't long before we realized how wasteful the hotel industry can really feel. Between single-use toiletries and plastic-wrapped cups, those tiny trash cans fill up pretty fast. We want the Pacific Beach Inn to feel different. We are making small choices to make big differences in the future of our environment. We know people don't just come out here to visit us. Mocrocks beach is beautiful and the forests and waterways leading up to the coast are world renown. It just makes good business sense to be stewards here.
Linus loves clean rooms.
The changes start in the rooms. Disposable dishware is convenient but it was one of the largest sources of our room waste. With each room hosting 3 to 6 people for 3 meals a day, plastic place settings add up fast. Real dishes do need to get washed, but offering our guests the opportunity to enjoy their morning overlooking the ocean, drinking coffee from a ceramic mug is completely worth it.
Some things just can not be reused. Like soap. We have upgraded our soap to a certified organic product in a recycled paper packaging. Many of our repeat customers have already noticed the difference. We all spent a lot of time washing our hands leading up to our final choice, but it's nice to provide a soap I enjoy using myself!
Most of the biggest changes we have made here happen after check-out time. We now clean practically everything with microfiber cloths. That means no more need for paper towels for windows and microfiber holds up well in the wash.
Nola loves a clean beach.
My most favorite change is definitely the change in our cleaning supplies. After test driving many spray bottles, we have made the switch to all botanically based, biodegradable cleaning supplies. Our new disinfectant is formulated with thyme oil and leaves the rooms smelling clean and fresh. I'm a stickler for cleaning our rooms, and was heart broken when a few of our guests complained about a lingering bleach smell. Never again! We are now able to ensure our rooms are spotless without leaving behind nasty chemicals for our guests and their pets.
Hank loves a clean beach, too!
We have been thrilled with the opportunity to put our own mark on beach living and are already hearing a lot of really great feedback about the changes we have made. We're not done yet, and cannot wait to roll up our sleeves for the next list of "To Do's" for later this year. If you're near the ocean, stop in for a tour! We love sharing our changes with anyone who will listen and giving dog treats for our furry guests!
Pacific Beach Inn
360-276-4433
located in Pacific Beach, Washington at
12 First Street South, just steps off Main Street and minutes to Mocrocks beach and Pacific Beach State Park.
As we all sit back and reflect on that beautiful week of early July weather that made it just in time for the fireworks and ignore the fog that will most definitely loom around in the coming weeks, I wanted to reflect on a more summery topic.
Beaches.
I live right next to a beach. When this sea mist clears, I can usually look out my window on to waves. This Northern Pacific Beach is not like many other beaches around the world. For non-north-westerners, beach means warm sand, palm trees and crystal blue water you swim through at your leisure. This is not that kind of beach. Don't get me wrong. Tropical hideaways are pretty neat. I also am in the mindset that our beaches, though different than the beaches most are accustomed to, have some pretty interesting things to offer. Put down that Pina Colada and grab a frothy Hot Cocoa as you join me on this edition of the Friday Five:
Pacific Northwest Beaches and What to Do With One
1) Beach Comb
I'm sure there are interesting things washing up on beaches all around the world, but I have seen some pretty neat stuff regularly on these shores. From creatures to flotsam and jetsam, strolling along our beaches is a treasure hunt. Keep in mind, one man's treasure is another man's trash on these hunts. Storm season may not be the best time to fly kites, but beach combing is a year round sport. There is a devoted bunch of beach combers with tide charts in hand who rise with the first rays of sun to see what the Pacific dragged in. Sometimes it's only kelp. Sometimes it's styrofoam floats from the crab boats just off shore. The really diligent and storm savvy combers tell stories of antique glass floats and other mystery cargo that finally makes it's resting place after escaping Davy Jone's Locker of Fine Goods. The story I hear is the wind has a way of blowing the wrong way, and that's when they know it's time to walk the beach. (The news is also buzzing of the migrating debris from last year's Japan Tsunami. Grays Harbor County Emergency Management generally advises if the debris seems dangerous, do not attempt to remove it from the beach. Contact 911 immediately. If debris seems like general litter, or possessions suspected to be from Japan, contact 360-249-3911 or ghcdem@co.grays-harbor.wa.us and be as specific as possible without endangering yourself.)
2) Clam Dig
I wasn't too sure about this practice of "Catching Clams" when I first heard the local stories about clams out-witting the average digger. Apparently our razor clams have the ability to out run the average shoveler and guns are most clammer's weapon of choice. I'm not talking rifles or glocks, but tubes, usually made of PVC or metal that diggers plunge into promising holes or "clam shows" and suction up soil samples that (hopefully) contain a razor clam. Clam digs are not a year long activity, but if you get the chance to make it to the Olympic Peninsula beaches in Fall/Winter and early Spring during a scheduled dig, you'll be glad to get the opportunity to taste these evasive morsels. Even if you choose not to dig, watching the beaches fill with shellfish prospectors in waders, galoshes and head lamps is often more than worth the trip. Dig dates are set once populations on each beach are verified to be strong enough. A 3-day clam pass will set you back a measly $8.60, but combination licenses are also available if you plan to try your hand at any other foraging activities throughout the year.
3) Build a Sandcastle Sand Sculpture
Sand is getting serious. Challenge your friends and family to a friendly Sand Castle Competition (war) armed with the tricks of the masters! Does anyone else share the childhood memories of the points of those plastic sand castle molds breaking off mid cast? Or that miss measure of water to sand ratio that left you with a pile of mud instead of Rapunzel's tower? A very friendly onlooker pointed out to me once that the trick is bottomless buckets. I know, my mind was blown too. The plan is to fill your cylinder or cube with sand 1/2 way, wet with water, fill with more sand, pat like crazy and simply slide your mold right off. No weird suctioned sand. No muddy mess! This basic idea can be extrapolated to building giant molds out of 2x4s and plywood. Before you erect your massive mold, do remember someone will have to actually dig all the sand it takes to fill it. Once you get your supremo structure upright, get to work with whatever sharp-ish objects you can find around. Paint brushes, chop sticks, spoons, forks, butter knives, you name it, they make a shape! Remove sand bit by bit only the castle will remain. Or whatever it is you decided to make. Try creating something on the beach most people don't find here often, a mermaid, a narwhal, A cabana with a blender. The possibilities are endless! If the sand is crumbling and drying before the carving is finished, try a gentle mist from a spray bottle. Or you could just build anytime during the month of Fogust. (Get it?! Mist? Fog! August!? I wish I could take credit for it, too.)
4) Make a Fort
One of the most amazing things about our beaches is how incredibly close they are to the forests. This is a perfect combination for piles and piles of driftwood. Drift logs are building material waiting to happen. There are some pretty industrious beach goers around here and I've found their ruins to prove it. My kids and I have discovered forts ranging from trenches to the more utilitarian windbreak. Sometimes, the trick is just finding the right log because some are so massive, they create 1/2 of the fort on their own. Keep in mind most drift logs are soaked to the core and much heavier than they appear. Once you scout a good area clear of the incoming tide (because this is going to take a while) start collecting sturdy logs and get creative. Some forts I've seen stay assembled for weeks. They are either being added to by a community of buiding enthusiasts or doted on by the original architect, I can't say for sure, but I like finding them. Not interested in hauling large mounds of lumber through sand? Look for a convenient collection of logs near each other and align them in a series for an obstacle course. This activity is especially helpful for turning rambunctious toddlers into sleeping toddlers by a decent bed time. You can thank me when they are asleep.
5) Enjoy a Campfire (Safely)
You know what really stinks about hot, sunny beaches? No one wants to make s'mores there.
Yeah, I said it! After a long day soaking up heat rays the last thing anyone wants to think about is oozy, melty, chocolatey-marshmallows crammed inside some graham crackers. Can you imagine how they must feel? It's sad, really. I think cozying around a flickering ball of warmth is one of the most wonderful ways to spend an evening. Or morning. Or anytime, really. Even on the sunniest of days here, you can bet when the sun lets off it's final beams for the day, everyone on the beach is going to need a sweater. At least. So bring a close to your day at the beach with a night around a fire. Grab those stray logs left unused in your rendition of Stonehenge and circle them around a cozy pit of awesome. Bring some meats fit for roasting on a stick, some cold (or warm, I don't judge) beverages, and don't forget the marshmallows. No matter what you plan to char over that flame of fantasticness, you are guaranteed to go to bed with warm cheeks and wake up with a pile of clothes that will smell of fire for weeks. The rules for fires on my closest beach are to keep them under control at least 100 feet from the dunes. Make sure to check in with local officials before lighting a match and remember Smokey before leaving smoldering coals to their own devices.
No, we don't really swim here. Bikinis aren't really a good idea either. Our beaches are more than just spots for sunbathers. They are big, beautiful dunes of opportunity. How do you beach?
All About the
Business: We are a cozy motel located in the town of Pacific Beach. Our
rooms range in size from studios with kitchenettes to larger units with 2
separate bedrooms and full kitchens. We strive to create a comfortable and
clean space our guests can relax in after a long day of exploring all the
wonders the Olympic Peninsula has to offer.
What Makes Your
Business Unique? Because The Pacific Beach Inn is a small hotel, we
function a bit differently than chain hotels. My husband and I personally
attend to each of our guests and have had the opportunity to make many new
friends even after only our first year of living here. We live where we work,
so we are essentially inviting our guests into our home.
Advice
for First Time Customers: Book early! As soon
as the sun comes out, everyone starts thinking about vacation. If you'd like to
spend a big holiday or festival weekend in Pacific Beach with us, be sure to
call as soon as your dates are solidified in order to have the best selection
of rooms. It also doesn't hurt to pop out of the city during the winter and
wander the beach to look for storm debris and sea creatures. There really is no
bad time to visit the beach, as long as you dress accordingly!
Catch Westport locals Nicholson Keaton at the Mermaid Deli and Pub every 2nd and 4th Friday and acoustic sets on Sundays
Who's in the band and what do they play? (Left to Right)Steve Jay bass/vocals Lonzo Tackett drums David Anderson guitar/vocals. (EARMUFFS)
Where did the name come from? The name came from the 1989 Batman movie (Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton).
How long has everyone been playing? We all started in the 4th grade. (Interviewer note: I can't prove this is Nicholson Keaton but I also can't prove it isn't Nicholson Keaton.)
In honor, or maybe in fear of Friday the 13th, ( a day this year that will occur three times.. all of them thirteen days apart ) I thought that today's Friday five would be a fun time to showcase superstitions and myths that go hand in hand with our natural world around us. More specifically, the beach, the river and the forest.
Myth #1
Grays Harbor thrived on the logging industry for many years as our forests provided the highly valued timber. I won't take the time to reflect on how that resource was depleted, and instead share with you the myth of the spirits of the forests.
Legend says that when walking through a forest, always ask permission from the spirits first or you will be lost forever! (Must have been what happened to Dorothy and the Scarecrow in the forest of apple trees, they didn't ask the trees first! Wouldn't you throw apples at someone who didn't ask you permission? ) Anyway... this myth makes me think that we would have had entirely too many lost loggers if it was true, or maybe we just had a lot of men stopping at the edge of the forest talking to themselves... you decide.
Myth #2
River myths might just be my favorite type of superstition. If you grew up in Grays Harbor.. or spent anytime as a teenage here in the summer, you spent a lot of time tubing our rivers. Had you grown up with parents believing the next myth though you might have thought twice about jumping into the Wynoochee or the Humptulips river.
A Grindylow is a water demon with long fingers that snatches children in the river and drags them down to the deep. Supposedly this creature was invented to discourage kids from falling into the cold rivers in Britain, but seriously, if my parents had told me that particular story there is no way I would have been able to enjoy any of my endless summer fun!
Myth #3
When you research Fishing Myths in Google... the computer crashes. Well, not literally, but there are so many fishing myths and superstitions out there that it boggles the mind. With the abundance of fishermen and women on the harbor I knew that including a few of these fishing gems was a must!
Shall we begin with the hat? A whirlwind of myth surrounds the hat of the fisher-person, and I do not even want to tell you what happens when you set a hat on a bed! Bad luck and enough said;) Also, please don't bring your fishing pole in the house if you plan on catching a fish that day! Fishing on a Friday is extremely unlucky, and if you don't catch a fish all day it is because "you were not holding your mouth right". No idea yet if I can use this particular excuse in my everyday work life but you can bet I am going to try!
Myth #4
Ah the Ocean. We are so lucky that we have ocean views so close. There is nothing quite like living on the coast. What is so lovely and fantastic about the ocean and the beach is also appreciated by sailors, of which the Pacific Northwest has had their fair share. Which brings a basket full of sailing superstitions and myths.
My favorite fondly reminds me of our resident wine expert, but instead of consuming the wine sailors would pour the spirits on the deck to bring the voyage good luck!
Myth #5
Speaking of the beach, the water, a picnic? We have all heard the superstition that those who do not wait an hour before swimming can drown in the water because of cramps. Hahahaha. More than likely this should be filed under the "can't swim" category!
Enjoy your Friday the 13th!
Let us know which superstitions and myths that you take part in!
I am a self proclaimed foodie.. actually a term given to me by one of my college roomates! We were drawing names for presents for Christmas and she was discussing what kind of present would best suit us.. and I am getting way way way off track! It is this weekend that offers a great opportunity to taste the food of our shores to my hearts content.
The Sixth Annual Razor Clam Festival takes place in the Ocean Shores Convention Center in Downtown Ocean Shores. Begining at 7 AM, Saturday, March 24, 2012 with the Firemen's Pancake Breakfast and food vendors including many of our beloved harbor restaurants;
Emily's, North Shore Grill, Alec's, Home Port, and Bennett's.
If that doesn't start your mouth to watering, how about the Clam Chowder Cookoff?
Or the specialty adult drinks at Galway Bay Irish Pub and the Pirate's Cove Pub?
I also mentioned music.. a local favorite for sure! Drumroll please!
Ericka Corban will be the featured performer throughout the day.
On top of the Scrumptious Seafood and the amazing vendors and music, attendees can bid on decorted clam shovels and kids can enjoy Uncle Stinky's Magic show and pony rides.
The Sixth Annual Razor Clam Festival ends at 4 pm. Admission to the Festival is $3.00 per person, but children 12 years old and under will be admitted free of charge!
