Friday Five: Camping!

It's that time again! Yaaaay! Let's look at five different styles of camping. I am not a nature lover, and I can count the times I've camped on one hand, I have absolutely no business writing this. However, I am well trained in the art of gazing out car windows at vehicles in holiday traffic and also junior certified in tv episodes about camping. Let's do this!

1. TENT

Pro: Stealth- You can store a tent in a lot of places like the back of a Mini Cooper or a Motorcycle!
Pro: Convenience- You can tent camp just about anywhere.
Pro: Affordable- A trailer can be thousands of dollars. A tent might set you back $100.
Con: Weather- Tents are the lightweight jacket of camping. They block wind and rain but you might wake up flipped over and in a puddle.
Con: Set up- The set up of a tent can truly test the relationship you have with your fellow camper(s).
 Con: Security- A tent is pretty useless in bear country.
2. TEARDROP TRAILER
Pro: You look Awesome- So classic and stylish
 Pro: Lightweight- Can be towed by anything

Pro: Heat- If one body can fill up most of the cubic space in the trailer that makes it easy to stay warm.

Con: Tiny- You have to go outside to do everything except sleep- Let's face it, if you're camping in the Pacific Northwest, the only guaranteed nice summer days are the 5th of July and the first day of school. Chances are you're going to encounter some rain. Since the teardrop trailer's kitchen is in the back, you're cooking in the rain.
Con: Tiny- Can't store much in a teardrop trailer Con: Tiny- The teardrop trailer is not a family camper.
3. POP-UP TRAILER

Pro: Space saving design- Aerodynamic on the road, roomy in the campsite.
Pro: Easy hauler- (Again, I'm not a camper and I think the last time I was in a pop-up trailer was probably in grade school and the "camping" consisted of spending the night in the pop-up trailer in a buddy's driveway.) I see a lot of pop-up trailers on the road and their tow vehicles are not limited to trucks.

Pro: Keeps cool- The mesh "walls" keep the it cool.
Con: Stability- It is essentially a tent on wheels (see cons of tent above).
Con: Privacy- Don't forget about the mesh "walls." Even curtains can't block all noise and shadows.
If you can see out, we can see in

Con: Keeps cool- Pacific Northwest rain isn't really a warm rain.
 4. Fifth Wheel

Pro: Detachable- Once you're set up and camping you have a vehicle with which to travel about the area.

Pro: Self-contained- At this juncture we reach the point where we are now able to do everything indoors! Cooking, eating, bathing, and all the other things you can't do in a tent or a pop-up you can now do in your 5th wheel camper! Oh the convenience!!
 Pro: Lingo- Now you can get into deep conversations with your camping buddies and use words like "pop-outs," "dualies," and "awnings."
 Con: Towing- Lots of weight, fuel and traffic
Con: Location- Camping is limited to certain campsites that can accommodate such a monstrosity. Con: Is it really camping? Is it?! Is it REALLY camping?!
5. Class A RV

Pro: Convenience- It's a house on wheels and it's a tour bus c'mon! At this point, you're rollin' like a rock star

Pro: Towing- Again, you can tow a vehicle for day trips. Cool!

Pro: Socialization- There is an entire sub-culture of "rv-ers" that you will be surrounded by, meeting, getting to know, and who will happily embrace you into their fold.

 Con: Fuel- You very well may have to take out a loan to afford the fuel to go "camping" in this behemoth.

 

Con: Again, is it really camping or is it "second home-ing"? If I had to choose, this is about as close to camping as I'd get. I like camping with my own bathroom and shower, tv, fridge, stove and recliner.

Con: Socialization- There is an entire sub-culture of "rv-ers" that you will be surrounded by, meeting, getting to know, and who will happily embrace you into their fold.

 I feel we've just scratched the surface! I didn't get to the yurt, Airstream, truck camper or the semi camper...perhaps there will have to be a second installment...

X Marks The Spot...

Or is it N 46° 59.156, W 123° 44.609? For geocachers, it’s the latter.

Yes, fellow muggles (non-geocachers), there is a modern day treasure hunt taking place all around us and the treasure is surprisingly…ordinary. There’s no commandeering ships or scouring secluded tropical islands for chests full of booty. No, definitely not. But if you watched a geocacher on the hunt successfully locate the cache they were seeking, you’d think it was full of gold doubloons instead of the typical log book and possible trinket. It’s the thrill of the hunt, the game of hide and seek, the sense of adventure that is making geocaching the hippest new pastime. And it’s free! You can’t beat that.

the "treasure" geocachers seek

For those of you who are bemused by the idea of a modern day treasure hunt with no actual treasure, you aren’t alone. Geocaching is a relatively new past time just celebrating its 12^th birthday last month. The game is simple and mirrors the childhood game of hide and seek: someone hides a container (of varying size) with a log book and optional trinkets inside. They post the GPS coordinates, such as on geocaching.com, for others to find, and voila – you have a new treasure to seek! Did you know this was happening in Grays Harbor? In fact, according to geocaching.com there are 2,293 different Geo Caches within a 25 mile radius of Aberdeen. That’s a lot of adventure!

My first geocache at Lake Aberdeen

If you were wondering how to make your summer economical yet fun this might be your solution. It’s a largely family-friendly activity, remotely inexpensive and very outdoors, plus it gives a taste of adventure even in familiar territory. In fact, it might even get you to explore parts of Grays Harbor you’ve never bothered to visit before. Or you don’t have to go far from home. Just look at the map below and you’ll see a plethora of caches right here in the Aberdeen city limits. Did you have any idea our neighbors were playing scavenger hunt all around the community? How much fun is that!

To get started, you need GPS technology. These days, most SMART phones have some sort of navigation program you can punch coordinates into, and apps that you can download (I recommend the free C:Geo app that links to your geocaching.com account). If you don’t have a SMART phone, there are handheld GPS units for sale at places like Cabela’s and Wholesale Sports in Lacey. Next, you’ll need to sign up for an account on geocaching.com- a basic account is free- as this is the only way to get coordinates for the difference caches. Now, go caching! Make sure you wear appropriate gear for whatever type of cache you're seeking - hiking clothes, water bottles, snacks, etc. And don’t forget to Log your Visit on geocaching.com after you’ve found a cache.

c:geo app screenshot

There’s quite a culture in the world of Geocache. I recommend you explore these additional resources to get the most out of your Geocaching adventure:

Geocaching 101

Glossary of Geocaching Terms

Here's a quick video for anyone new to Geocaching:

Lastly, keep an eye out because Go Go Grays Harbor will soon be setting out 5 brand new geocaches in the Grays Harbor area to help you get in the spirit!

Get to know your local band: Nicholson Keaton!

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.)

Who are your top five influences?

What's your favorite song to play?

Where can we keep up to date with you? We are the Mermaid Deli and Pub's house band, Mac's Tavern and on our Facebook Fan Page.

Grays Harbor Outdoor Adventure and Travel Expo

This weekend is the second annual Outdoor Adventure Expo.

April 28th-29th.

Crew members from the deadliest catch.

Prizes and fun for the family.

Grays Harbor County Fair Grounds.

Eva Shockey of “Jim Shockey Hunting Adventures”.

Glen Hall of the fishing and hunting show “Hawg Quest".

Expo tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for youths 6 -13, children 5 and under free.

Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.

Children are welcome to cast for prizes at Cabela’s Fishing Pond.

Having lived on the Harbor for most of my life, it is hard to convey to people who are not from our beautiful area just how important the surrounding wildlife is to our outdoor experiences.

I would even go as far as to say that most of us either are a hunter/fisher-person, or know someone who is, which usually translates into a freezer full of yummy fish and meat to smoke, grill and fry!

flyer courtesy of www.ghcfairgrounds.com/OutdoorExpo.

And don't forget to visit Local Magazine Horns and Hooks booth!

Seafood and Music, does it get any better?

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. 

Check out the entire list of vendors here

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!
 

Photo by John Clark

Chocolate on the Beach

Chocolate on the Beach

Date: February 24, 2012 - February 26, 2012

Chocolate bake sale,

chocolate crafts,

chocolate cocktail throwdown,

chocolate cooking classes and recipies, and
chocolate vendors.  

The 5th annual Chocolate on the Beach festival is the place to be if your not so secret indulgence is chocolate.  Events including cooking classes sponsored by the Ocean Crest Resort and a new kid's event at the "Palace of Treats" (Pacific Beach resort Conference Center)

(not an actual representation of the Palace of Treats)

A third venue, the "Hot Cocoa Hall" at the North Beach Community Center has been added to hold all the new vendors.

This year's annual Chocolate Recipe Contest guest judges are The Culinary Madman, Jess Owen from the Ocean Crest Resort and Art Sanders from KOMO News Radio. Once the festival is over, recipes collected from the first five years will be made into a collector's cookbook.

Did I mention that tickets were only $5? However, on Sunday, ALL professional and volunteer fire, EMS, law enforcement and 9-1-1 operators are invited to bring a guest for FREE! This is the Festival Board's way of saying, 'Thank You!' to these extaordinary people.

Friday Five: Good Fortunes

It sounded like such a good idea at first... a progressive Chinese dinner! Five restaurants in one magical night.

1.

We were off to a good start and this fortune only assured us that we would reach our goal for the evening. Our first stop was the Canton Cafe. Quite the unassuming joint, but oh the decor! The 60's table tops mixed with 30's glass chandeliers and high wood walled booths. It was an amazing combination. The potstickers weren't so bad either.



Actually they were really good. Did you also know that this place is open until midnight? They also have a juke box and if you're lucky, as we were, you may have a drunken couple playing you the hits from Backstreet Boys and Ricky Martin. I'm just going to put that information in my back pocket for some future evening.

2.


... think about it.

PS - Ocean Palace also has great broccoli beef



3.

Don't mind if I do. Most fortune cookies are full of good news, but I always enjoy the extreme ego boost fortunes. These ones keep my vanity at a high level and typically leave me coming back for more... and I'll take some more of this egg flower soup and pork fried rice from Chinese Village too, while you're at it.



... and a beer too, please.



4.

Greenery? What celebration? I spend most of my time sitting at home in front of the television (just kidding! I'm fun! I have friends! Stop judging me). There's nothing like a confusing fortune such as this one.... I hope I get invited to a party. I'll bring a tree.


How about an origami crane instead? Stefanie is working on it.

5.

I see fortunes such as this to be a challenge. Fortunes from the Golden Dragon really put the pressure on! You better have something awesome planned now or else the world might come crashing down around you. You WILL enjoy doing something different this weekend. I know for sure that Chinese food won't be on the list because I have had enough to last me a good while. At least until Monday. Maybe I'll spend the weekend eating tacos.



This is me super full after eating too much Chinese food... and in case you didn't notice, the first fortune was dead wrong because we only made it to 4 restaurants. Take that, fortune cookie!