Salmon Tales in Westport

I know it may seem as if we have been writing lots of  'fishy tales' lately, however if you live at the beach in Westport, you understand that Salmon is the word of the month in September!

When you mention the Pacific Northwest to "muggles", the first thing that may come to mind is the Salmon that runs in our rivers for most of the fall, and if you are looking for the hub of this activity, look no further than Westport this weekend.  The Salmon Tales event takes place this weekend on Saturday, September 22.

What sounds most intriguing to this writer, besides the amazing Smoked Salmon Derby (as this girl loves to eat) is the Charter Boat Bingo that gives players 14 chances to win Charter Fishing Boat trips.  My husband went out last spring on a Westport Charter Trip and loved it!

Westport Brewing Company will be hosting a Beer Garden on the Maritime Museum, but why wait for Saturday?  The WBC is open to the public daily and you can samples their beers today if you want!  While you enjoy that beer on Saturday, make sure you listen for the sounds of 'Catch of the Day'.

Local Magazine Horns and Hooks has an excellent write up on the event that was published on August 29th.  Check it out here!

Remember that you can also participate in the Boat Basin Salmon Derby until late into October, so if you head out to Westport for Salmon Tales take your fishing rob and reel in the big one.

Say Aloha with Island Fare at Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill

Show of hands: Who got in enough beach time this summer? I know I didn't!

But as the weather slips into fall, then winter, the ideal beach time has definitely passed us by until next spring. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't still visit our friends out at the beach - just pack a sweatshirt instead of a beach towel. After you comb the beach this winter after a blustery storm or find yourself taking a cool fall Sunday drive to the coast, plan to lunch at Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill in Westport. Aside from providing a warm, cozy shelter from the Harbor weather (and an award winning Bloody Mary), Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill promises to transport you to another beach altogether with their special Hawaiian menu items.

Hawaiian Style Kalua Pork

The island-inspired options are available on the lunch and dinner menus and are sure to get you in the sunny island spirit. Have you ever indulged in Pork Lumpia or Kalua Pork? I recently enjoyed both during a family lunch at the restaurant. But there's plenty more beyond that to "taste" the islands. Just look at the screen shot of the menu- is your mouth watering?

A Snapshot of the Menu at HMB

Don't forget to sign up for Ohana Rewards, too! This is a loyalty points program put on by the restaurant - the more you patronize the establishment, the more points you rack up towards Rewards certificates that you can use at the establishment.

30 Miles of Junque in Westport this weekend

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.

application

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.

The Fab Four, Loggers Playday and more more more!

With so much going on this weekend we here at GoGo wanted to wrap up the upcoming events into a nice little package and stick a bow on top to make planning your weekend of fun stress free.

Even though we are back to school and there is a tiny chill in the air, it is in fact still summer and there are many summer festivals to be enjoyed this upcoming weekend.

Speaking of festivals, Pacific Beach is soaring things into high gear this weekend with the Up Your Wind Kite Festival.  Sponsored by Hi-Flyers kite shop, this kite festival is family friendly and full of fun.  Up Your Wind is happening both the 8th and the 9th at the Pacific Beach State Park. 

Cosmopolis is also hosting a festival that will once again be hosted at the Cosmopolis Elementary School.  The Cosi Festival in the Park has operated out of the school for the past three years due to park closure when the Mill Creek Dam broke.  However, the show must go on and so will the festival this year on Sunday the 9th!

Did we mention that it is Logger's Playday weekend?  Officially starting with the Rotary Clubs pancake feed and including the Elks Lodge grand parade, Loggers Playday offers something for every history buff in town.  The Loggers Playday loggers show is a must see, along with fireworks and booths that will have you working up a logger's sized appetite.  Hoquiam hosts Loggers Playday and the festivities begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday the 8th!

If Music is more your thing then you should definitely be in Westport this weekend for the Dock of the Bay Blues Festival.  Running from Friday to Sunday the Dock of the Bay Blues Festival is the beaches answer to Loggers Playday.  Live music and food and booths to make every music lover smile.  Head to Westport this weekend for Blues music and fun.


When you are looking for live entertainment, the D&R Theater never dissapoints.  This weekend the D&R is throwing a concert that you must simply see to believe.  The Fab Four tribute band that is so much more than a tribute band will be performing on Sunday the 9th.  These musicians attention to detail makes this show a can't miss performance.  Make sure the D&R Theater is on your list for this weekend.  A perfect way to finish off the weekend!

Not to mention Hoquiam's First Thursday on the 6th of this week, the Jack Reynvaan Memorial Run at the Hoquiam track on Saturday the 8th, the Brady Clean Water Oyster feed on Saturday the 8th, the Seabrook Saturday Market on Saturday the 8th, and the AAOS Arts and Crafts festival in Ocean Shores the 7th-9th.

It is a Kite flying, Park festival, Blues playing, Loggers Playday this weekend and you must simply get out and enjoy!

Blue(s) skys are in Westport this weekend

When thinking of Blues music, one might just picture a New Orleans bar around midnight.  The lights are low, candles flicker, and clinking ice is the bass drum of the music on stage.  A three piece band is swaying in the middle of the room to low notes with a rhythmic beat, while a singer belts out a folksy song reminiscent of the working hollers.  

You might just think that blues music has no place in our world, but you only need to look no further than Westport this weekend to prove yourself wrong.  Like our parents listening to Elvis and James Brown, blues music is as current today as the popp-y tunes that blare out of the DJ booths at any dance club in the city. (think White Stripes)

In the serene setting of the Westport Inn grounds the band line up this weekend is a perfect mix of Blues standards and today's stars.  The Dock of the Bay Blues Festival is starting a day earlier this year on Friday night September 7th at 6 p.m. with Blues Attitude and continues all weekend long.  A jam session and dance on Saturday follows Spider Murphy and Sunday begins with "Badd Dog".  The entire weekend is a chance to expand your musical tastes and enjoy the ocean breezes at the same time.

Make sure you pick up one of the custom Tee's that are available now.

photo courtesy of westportblues.com

...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



Summer weekend at our Beaches

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.

Say Hello to our Brighter Summer Businesses

We are so excited for what is to come this summer. We are working on creating what we think will be the BEST booth at the summer festivals this year! Trust me, you'll want to come out and find us... so here's where we'll be:

Aberdeen Art Walk on July 28th

Hoquiam First Thursday (next to Gray's General Store) on August 2nd

The Kelpers Day Parade in Pacific Beach
-Want to be in the parade with us? We'd like to take our Bicycle Revolution to Pacific Beach! Email us for details. gogograysharbor@gmail.com

Logger's Playday

The Pacific Beach Sand Sculpture Competition
-We have a big announcement about this one too. Check back soon!


So, we want to introduce you to our lovely summer sponsors. You'll be hearing more from them as we have some fun this summer. We encourage you to go pay a visit to their fantastic establishments and tell them thanks for sponsoring this project of ours!

Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill

It's Saturday morning and you had a little too much fun at the bar last night - why not go grab a Bloody Mary from Half Moon Bay and enjoy the view of the Westport Marina? They also have great food, friendly service and live entertainment!

Vacations By The Sea

After a day of yummy seafood and fresh ocean air, you'll probably want to stay at the beach forever! Well, at the very least you can make a weekend of it and rent a condo right on the beach. The good people at Vacations By The Sea will help you plan the trip of your dreams!

Gray's General Store

If you're having trouble trying to find that perfect beach tote bag, why not make it yourself?! Gray's General Store in downtown Hoquiam has all of the supplies you need, and the knowledgeable staff, to get your summer crafty projects going. They also carry a wide selection of cute and quirky gifts for everyone on your list - many of which are locally made. And grab a cup of hot coffee or tea and stay a while on those foggy days while you wait for the sun to break through.

Lunch

If you want the freshest food in town, head over to Lunch in Aberdeen. Their selection of sandwiches, salads, and soups are drool worthy (I know I'm addicted - I eat there at least once a week!) and they also serve up espresso drinks and a yummy lemonade. Order at the counter and have a seat in their warm and inviting dining area. You can also find their sandwiches available at a variety of coffee shops across Grays Harbor! And make sure you like their page on Facebook to see what specials Chef Erin is cooking up this week!

Bergey Voice Studio

I'm sure you've been getting a lot of time singing in the car while you're on your summer road trip and maybe you've wondered "if I had a little training, I could probably be famous." Well, we think you're right so why not grab a lesson or two from Kelsey at Bergey Voice Studio located in downtown Aberdeen? Pick your favorite song and Kelsey will help you perfect it so you can start playing all of those open mic nights you've been dreaming about.

Pacific Beach Inn

Looking to get out of town, but want to keep it low key and somewhat local? We suggest you head up to Pacific Beach Inn. This is as close to the beach as it gets with ocean views and close proximity to a beach that isn't overloaded with vehicles. You are walking distance to all that Pacific Beach has to offer and the Inn Keepers Jen and John are very friendly and take pride in their recently renovated and clean rooms. Our blog team is even looking forward to a "corporate retreat" out there this summer!

Pure Clothing

We Grays Harborites love our jeans and t-shirts and we love getting them at Pure Clothing in Downtown Hoquiam! This little shop is filled to the rafters with unique, high quality used clothing. It's the perfect place to find a new outfit for relaxing this summer and for you music fans, you could probably spend hours in here looking for your favorite band t-shirt!

Queen B Quilts

If you find you've collected a few too many t-shirts over time, why not turn them into a quilt?! Queen B Quilts is a Hoquiam business that will turn your t-shirt collection into a cozy quilt. They make great graduation or Christmas gifts (might as well get a jump start on the holidays, right?) and they will work with you to create a memorable quilt that you can take to all of your beach bonfires and summer picnics this year.

The Salty Dog

For all the love your dogs give you, don't you think they deserve a little spoiling every once in a while? If you're looking for the cutest treats and toys for your pup, head up to The Salty Dog in Seabrook. Their shop is full of great gifts for dogs and those who love them. And many of them are perfect for beach lovers too! I saw the cutest knit sweater with a crab on it last time I stopped in and a crab toy made of rope to go with it!

So there you have it folks! Go say hello and thanks these Brighter Summer Businesses for their support! And visit us at all our summer festivals this year!

Saturday Shopper: Coastal Garden Center of Grayland

Coastal Garden Center          

Owned by Cindy Becker, Established 1994 

4986 SR 105

Grayland, WA

360-268-0804 

www.coastalgardencenter.com

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coastal-Garden-Center/108616919401

Daily, 11-5pm (summer)        

All About The Business: Quality counts when you are buying live plants!  I love and care for  my flowers.  Lush seasonal annuals, herbs, perennials, hanging baskets, veg. starts. Organic fertilizer, black gold potting soil.  Science Diet pet food.  Open seasonally April-July.  

What Makes Your Business Unique?   Quaint, enchanting, woodland and historic setting.  Every small business is unique!  That is the beauty of small business~out of the box!!!! FEED YOR SOUL. Bird, butterflies, frogs abound.                       

Advice for First Time Customers: Sorry, rural setting no restrooms.  State park and beach access restrooms close by.  Dogs welcome in the pet area, on leash! 

If you're a small business owner and want to feature your business on the Saturday Shopper (for free!), please click HERE and fill out the form. 

Friday Five: Anatomy of a Sailor

The pirate of yesteryear is quite different from those modern pirates of today.  You may be surprised to find out that some of your co-workers are pirates.  They live a double life, and use the rules of modern piracy to balance and lead their lives.

A quick search for traits of a pirate comes up with many hits, my favorite being PiratesvsZombies.org.   Th' "New" Pirates: Traits and Characteristics post is by far one of the best (in my opinion) maps of this new generation of pirates.

In honor of the Rusty Scupper Pirate Daze this weekend (June 22-24) in Westport, I find it only mo'r th'n fittin to highlight the characteristics of the mo'drn pirate!

Do today's pirates keep a parrot? Have a peg leg? Bad teeth? An eye patch? Beards?  Where did these images come from? 

1. The image of today's pirate hark ens back to the old days.  The beard is a must not only for the rugged appearance but for the sheer reason that when working days on end on the Tall Ships, shaving is just not a priority!

2. Today's pirate is part of a community, much like a family.  The captain is in charge of his crew, much like he/she takes charge of their life.  A ship is a disciplined place and most pirates practice this discipline in their own lives.

3. Those who sail the tall ships do have their own language.  To see a glossary of terms click here.

4. Pirates and sailors be explorers! On the sea or in life, a pirate is adventurous.  They are often the forward thinkers in a company.  Shaking things up and moving a business toward the future.

5.Pirates and sailors of tall ships today are certainly not the scoundrels of the past, more like privateers who are commissioned by the government, pirates today are fun loving lighthearted women and men who have a true calling with the sea. 

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.

Camp The Harbor!

Memorial Day weekend is coming up and you know what that means: it's stylish to wear white pants again! Oh, and it's the official kick off of the camping season.  If you haven't yet pulled out your trusty blue tarp do so now and start packing your camping gear because true to tradition, the weather for this weekend is looking iffy at best. Actually, if you haven't already made reservations to camp at a formal campground by now, you're most likely going to be camping in your backyard - everyone it seems, is heading out to the Harbor's best campgrounds this Friday to celebrate the unofficial start to summer.

But even if you end up spending Memorial Day weekend "camping" in your backyard, there's still an entire summer ahead of you to enjoy all the close-to-home camping opportunities. Have you camped locally before? The great thing about Grays Harbor is that our terrain is so versatile you can camp nearby and feel worlds away- beaches, lakes, rivers and forests all offer you the chance to reconnect with nature without ever really leaving home. Here are some options for you to consider; go ahead and mark a weekend on the calendar now and make your reservation ahead of time (yes, camping is so in-demand these days that reservations are needed at most places):

If you love falling asleep to the soothing sound of waves and waking up to the salty sea air, try the following beach campgrounds:

Pacific Beach Campground: On the northern end of Grays Harbor's shores, this campground is open year-round for those willing to brave the cooler months. You can even have fires on the beach!

Ocean City Campground: Just north of Ocean Shores, this campground is also year round and offers not only your typical beach activities, but is also a great place to view migratory shorebirds.

Twin Harbors Campground: On the Westport end of our shores, this park is open in its entirety from June 16- October 31. 

If you're looking for a really quick trip that still gets you in touch with nature, try one of the following two very local parks:

Lake Sylvia

Lake Sylvia State Park: Located in Montesano, this is a great place for a one-night stay if that's all you have time for. The camping is still excellent despite its proximity to the city and there's plenty of hiking, fishing and outdoor activity to keep you occupied.

Schafer State Park:  Ok, just outside of Grays Harbor, Schafer is technically in Mason County. But it's such a great camping location along the Satsop river, it has to be mentioned. It's also a very close camping option for those living in East County.

If you'd rather enjoy the Olympic National Forest and all its versatility, try the following:

Lake Quinault Area

The Pacific Ranger District of the Olympia National Forest maintains four campgrounds around Lake Quinault that allow you to take in the rain forest at its finest. All are first-come, first-served campgrounds.

Coho Campground at Wynoochee Lake: My personal favorite campground locally. I remember visiting this campground frequently growing up. I even blue-tarp camped there with a group of friends like a true Washingtonian on the 4th of July weekend in 2008, 7 months pregnant and all! This campground is a bit tricky - it's a long (bumpy) drive to get out there and its still your traditional first-come, first-served campground so head out on a Thursday just to be safe!

Some things to keep in mind when planning your camping experience:

-Reservations really are recommended whenever possible. You don't want to disappoint your family by getting all the way out there and seeing "Reserved" notes on every spot that is sitting empty. I've been there- and slept in the car, in a parking lot, as a result. All State Parks are reserved on their website. Olympic National Forest campgrounds are, unfortunately, still first-come, first-served.

-You will need a Discover Pass if you are visiting any State Park this summer. It's $30, and you can get it here or at any place that sells hunting/fishing licenses.

-Bring a blue tarp! You know how the weather can be.

-Respect burn bans and campfire rules. Some campgrounds, like the beaches, may only allow campfires on the beach and not at the campsite. Other times, a burn ban may be in effect because the weather's just been too nice for too long (it happens!).

-Have fun, enjoy nature, run wild! Just remember to keep all your trash to yourself so that those after you can enjoy the beauty too. Take pride in the fact that these beautiful, scenic areas are in our community and people come from all over the northwest to enjoy them!

We've all been there. Living in the NW, there's no way to avoid it.

Cleanwater Classic

Sand. Check
Surf. Check
Wetsuit. Check

Surfboard. Check

It is time for the 11th annual Cleanwater Classic in Westport this weekend!
Even if you have never surfed (me) and have no intention of putting on a wetsuit (me) and jumping into our frigid pacific coast waters (me), just watching this surf competition can conjure up images of summer and warm sun.

Want to volunteer? You can, even if you don't surf. Vollunteers are needed in all sorts of capacities from beach crew to registration, auction monitors to judge spotters.

Friday night the event kicks off with Live Hawaiian music at Half Moon Bay Bar and Grill and ends the evening with a Reggae dance party (you can't make this stuff up).

Want more information? Of course you do!  Clean Water Classic has a great website, and registration just started on the fifteenth. 

All that is left now is the grab your board, or your camera if you prefer to watch, and head out to Westport this weekend!

Wine, Dine & Shop All in One Place: Westport Winery

Six years of marriage? That's a cause for celebration! As someone who always thought she was too independent to settle down and start a family, every wedding anniversary is a delightful notch in my proverbial belt of marriage. This last Friday my husband and I decided to spend our celebration for two at the Westport Winery, one of my favorite local places. 

Outside of the Winery, by the gardens. 

I promise I'm grimacing at my finicky phone, and not the fabulous company.

Every time I go to the Winery, I remember how much I love it. This was our first time eating dinner there, and the food was simply devine! In fact, I ate it all before I remembered that I should have taken pictures for this blog. Call me impatient. Really, the food was just too incredible to stop eating. And when I did stop eating, it was to drink delicious wine, not reach for the camera.

There's also a lunch menu. This patio seating
will be perfect for Saturdays in the summer.

As far as selections go, my husband and I are both steak fans when we're eating out. My husband had the Prime Rib and I had the Garlic Tenderloin, both served with sesame sauteed broccoli and mashed potatoes. As we both took our first bites, I looked up and it was like looking in the mirror- the savory pleasure I felt was mimicked in the expression on his face. My husband's first words, I believe, were a declaration of his new favorite restaurant. We've been on the search for a new favorite local restaurant ever since Saginaw's in Elma closed up shop (which is a shame - it really was a fantastic restaurant and I hope the proprietors will pop up elsewhere for us to enjoy again), so imagine how ideal it is for me, wine lover, to have this little culinary jewel right in the middle of my favorite winery. Someone pencil me in a standing reservation, please.

Speaking of wine, I paired my dinner with a glass of Fleur de Lis Pinot Gris then a glass of Bordello Blonde. My husband opted for Elk River Reisling (I suspect due to the elk we spotted on the way out). All were delicious, but my favorite still stands at the Fleur de Lis. Pinot Gris and I are just meant for each other. After dinner and a delectable dessert of 4-layer coconut cake, we stepped over into the gift shop & tasting area. I love the selection of local products & goodies! From chocolate to canned vegetables to cook books and wine accessories, the gift shop is categorized by color and makes for a fun shopping experience. Makes me want to throw a wine party. 

 

Some of the fun, Washington-specific goodies for sale at the Winery.

I also did a tasting to get some more Westport Wines under my belt. For $5 you can taste 5 wines. The fee is even waived if you buy a bottle! And since I was definitely going to buy myself a bottle of Fleur De Lis Pinot Gris, I took advantage.

Wine tasting station & by-the-bottle purchases 

in an elegant color coordinated display.

Overall, it was the perfect backdrop for our anniversary celebration. If you're looking for a place with good atmosphere, great food & wine and a true local touch to celebrate a special occasion or take a hot date, this is the place. It's romantic and sophisticated without forgetting where you're at. You don't escape Grays Harbor at the Westport Winery, you just get to see the classier side. Cheers!

Evening twilight at Westport Winery.