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BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON October 12, 2015

Roadtripping Down the Oregon Coast

Toyota 4Runner

Nothing quite beats the fun of roadtripping down the Oregon Coast to enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. While not quite as iconic as driving U.S. Route 66, the Oregon Coast offers plenty of spellbinding scenes, best beach towns and destination dining. Whether planning a family vacation, girlfriend getaway or romantic escape, why not take to the road to explore the region’s bounty?

Getaway Vehicle: Toyota 4Runner

For a family adventure at summer’s end, we hit the highway in style, taking a gleaming red Toyota 4Runner for a spin. Our drive was smooth, comfortable and easy-peasy to maneuver as we (okay, I) belted out favorite roadtripping tunes with visions of off-roading exploits dancing in our heads. Though used to packing light (think carry-on) for my flight travel, I had no problem filling the roomy back of the vehicle with you-never-know-when-you-might-need-it-but-probably-won’t items.

KOA Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside

KOA

For the ultimate family camping experience, KOA (Kampgrounds of America) provides RV, tent camping and cabin accommodations. On this trip, our plans included a new travel experience: a two-night stay in a deluxe cabin at the Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside KOA .

KOA Cabins

Amenities at this site include an outdoor and indoor pool with hot tub, a free pancake breakfast (with lunch and dinner available for purchase), bike rentals, and a new activities center that houses arts & crafts, arcade and board games, ping pong and pool tables and basketball. Outside, the giant Jumping Pillow and mini-golf were favorites among the campers on site.

Entering the KOA site, we’re welcomed by friendly ambassadors directing us to the registration office. The friendly atmosphere continues inside the convenience store and at the registration desk. For office manager, Rosanna, “Seeing people have fun” is the best part of her job at KOA. Doris, HR manager, agrees: “When your employees like being here, it’s a good place to be.” In fact, fellow employee Hillary likes working at KOA so much that she planned her wedding to take place on site.

Happy to recommend nearby sites for exploration, the staff directs us to historic Fort Stevens across the street, Seaside with its landmark oceanfront Promenade and beachfront turnaround, and Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. For this short getaway, we opt for Seaside and Astoria, saving Fort Stevens for a longer visit.

Seaside, Oregon

Seaside Starfish Sign

Amazingly, though I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for many years, I discovered Seaside only recently while attending a Travel + Words Northwest Travel Writers Conference here. Northwest ocean breezes, a fun boardwalk that includes an oceanside aquarium, and plentiful outdoor recreational activities, have attracted families to this coastal town for generations.

Seaside Beach

Visitors can rent bikes, ride the carousel, stroll the Promenade or have a go at bumper cars. Be sure to stop in at Beach Books to browse the bestsellers, regional collection and everything in between, as well as other specialty gift shops and galleries. Or kick back on the beach and soak up the stunning ocean views.

Astoria

Astoria Bridge

Once a thriving fishing, then timber town, Astoria showcases its heritage at the Columbia River Maritime Museum with interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages.

Maritime Museum

Visitors are also welcome to board the Lighthouse Columbia, a national historic landmark, just outside the museum. Throughout the town, a scattering of Victorian mansions dot the hillside, reminding visitors  of its historical roots.

Astoria Riverfront Trolley

To learn more about Astoria’s colorful history, ride the Astoria Riverfront Trolley. Hop on and off at designated locations or stay on for the entire one-hour journey for only $1.00.

Bowpicker Fish & Chips, a dry-docked boat, (think food truck alternative), came highly recommended, but alas! The first day of our stay the eatery was closed and the second day we stopped by, the lengthy line of customers – while an obvious testament to Bowpicker’s popular following and reputation – kept us at bay. Instead, we discovered the Blue Scorcher Bakery & Cafe, a worker-owned cooperative located in the historic Fort George Building that features delicious artisan breads, pastries and seasonal foods. Also highly recommended.

By the end of our short getaway, plans to include off-roading adventures in our rugged Toyota 4xRunner took a backseat to running trails and beach town explorations. But with so much more to see and experience along Oregon’s northern coast, it’s only a matter of time before our travels bring us back.

For more information, visit:

Toyota 4Runner
KOA Astoria/Warrenton/Seaside
Travel and Words – Northwest Travel Writers Conference 

Many thanks to Toyota and KOA for the chance to explore the Pacific Northwest in style for our end-of-summer family escape!

Wander on!

Nancy

When and where are you planning your next road trip, Wanderboomers? 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Destinations, family travel, Oregon, Pacific Northwest

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON March 13, 2015

Chase Away the Clouds at Chihuly Garden and Glass

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Need a color infusion to brighten your cloudy days? In Seattle, look no further than Chihuly Garden and Glass for a striking counterbalance to Fifty Shades of Grey in the Pacific Northwest. Showcasing the works of local glass artist, Dale Chihuly, the long-term exhibit at Seattle Center offers a vibrant tonic of sumptuous colors, innovation and inspiration.

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Wandering through the stunning collection reminds me of the Navajo prayer and blessing, “Walking in Beauty:”

Beauty is before
me, and beauty
is behind me,
Above me and
below me hovers
the beautiful.

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In color palettes ranging from cobalt blues to fiery reds, in tones from golden yellows, iridescent orange to honey amber, the collection dazzles as a movable feast for the senses.

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Visitors can learn more about the eight art galleries, soaring glasshouse, and outdoor garden in daily spotlight talks with exhibition hosts. The notable galleries include a Sealife Room, Chandeliers . . .

Chihuly Ikebana and Float Boats

Ikebana and Float Boats . . .

Chihuly Float Boats

Macchia Forest . . .

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Glasshouse and Garden.

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For more information about the exhibit, special events or to purchase tickets to Walk with the Gardener visit Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Wander on!

Nancy

What about you, wanderboomers? What’s your favorite way to beat the winter blues?

 

Filed Under: Baby Boomers and Travel, Culture, Gardens & Nurseries, Seattle, Travel Experiences Tagged With: art, color, Dale Chihuly, gardens, glass art, Nature

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON February 16, 2015

Fifty Shades of Grey in the Pacific Northwest

Gray Northwest Sky

Fifty Shades of Grey? For as many words as there are for snow in the Inuit language, we have at least that many for the color gray here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Though we Americans usually spell the hue that lands between black and white on the color wheel as “gray” unlike our British friends who opt for “grey.” Unless we’re talking about a movie premier, of course.

Beyond the book or film, as any true Northwesterner knows, we bask in a wild beauty of subtlety, nuance, . . . um, shades of gray in our region. From our remarkable wildlife to our natural wonders . . . From our style of architecture to, of course, our well-known cloudy climate.

For starters, we have glacier gray . . .

Mendenhall Glacier

Mendenhall Glacier, – Juneau, Alaska

Goeduck (pronounced “gooey” duck) shell gray . . .

Geoduck Taylor Shellfish Farm

and Gray-whale gray kind of of days . . . Gray-shingle gray . . . Garter snake gray and gray-blue skies kind of gray.

Gray-blue sky

Blue-gray skies

We have gloomy gray . . .

Gloomy gray

Gray wolf gray . . . and Robert Gray sea-gray shades of gray.

Sea-gray

Mt. Baker

How about you, wanderboomers? How many shades of grey have you found in the Pacific Northwest?

Wander on!

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Pacific Northwest Tagged With: Fifty Shades of Grey, geoduck, gray whale, Inuit, Mendenhall Glacier, Robert Gray

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON January 27, 2015

NFL Super Bowl XLIX: Go Hawks!

Saguaro sky

While the East Coast readied for bombogenesis (the ultimate snow bomb) this week, we Seattleites have enjoyed unusually balmy weather with clear, sunny skies and temperatures in the 60s. Rain is moving in again, but overall, not a bad backdrop for our weeklong celebration honoring the Seattle Seahawks, top contenders for the NFL Super Bowl XLIX championship next Sunday.

If you’re one of the lucky 12th Man members who plan to visit Phoenix for the big game, you’ll find plenty of fun celebrations to attend throughout that city, too, this week, even if you can’t make it inside the University of Phoenix Stadium for the Super Bowl game itself. Here’s how to make the most of your stay:

Seattle Seahawks

NFL Experience (January 27th – February 1st)

For what looks like the biggest bang for your buck, a $35.00 entry fee for adults ($20. age 12 and under), gets you into an interactive theme park with games, exhibits, a photo op with the Vince Lombardi trophy, autographs with NFL players like Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (today between 5 and 7PM!), and youth football clinics.

Where: Phoenix Convention Center

For more information call 866-TIX-4NFL (849-4635) or visit SuperBowl.com.

Verizon Super Bowl Central (January 28th – February 1st)

More family-friendly entertainment with free admission awaits at Verizon Superbowl Central. Covering 12 blocks in downtown Phoenix, football fans can enjoy live music and nightly fireworks, a chance to mingle with former NFL players and watch commentators at outdoor broadcast areas.

Where: Downtown Phoenix North border: Monroe Street East border: 5th Street South border: Jefferson Street West border: 1st Avenue

For more information visit Verizon Superbowl Central.

The Grand Canyon Experience (January 28th – February 1st)

Not to worry if your plans don’t include a visit to Arizona’s star attraction, the Grand Canyon, on this trip. Within the 12-block perimeter of Verizon Super Bowl Central, organizers have created a rock wall set designed with rock texture to resemble the mesmerizing monument’s natural terrain. The site includes a dramatic 20-foot waterfall and 18-foot video screen at the peak. Up to 20 novice and experienced climbers can scale the wall at a time.

Where: Verizon Super Bowl Central

For more information visit The Grand  Canyon Experience.

Skeptical Chymist: An Irish Restaurant & Pub

So where do Seattle’s 12th Man fans congregate to watch the Super Bowl XLIX game if you’re not a lucky ticket holder? Word on the street is that the Skeptical Chymist attracts the largest Seahawks’ fan base in Arizona. Celebrations begin on Thursday at 7PM, followed by a viewing of the NBC Seattle King 5 morning show from 6 – 10 AM on “Blue Friday” and a 12th Man Rally on Saturday at 7PM. Doors open at 11AM on Super Bowl Sunday. $15.00 gets you in the door, but plan your place in line because the Skeptical Chymist doesn’t take reservations.

For more information visit Skeptical Chymist.

Thanks to host Visit Phoenix for the chance to discover how the city is rolling out the red carpet to Super Bowl fans this week! If you’d like to explore all that Phoenix has to offer beyond the Super Bowl festivities, check out Visit Phoenix.

* Top Photo courtesy of Kevin Dooley Saguaro sky flickr.

Wander on! Go Hawks!

Nancy

Where will you be watching NFL Super Bowl XLIX  and cheering on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, wanderboomers?

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, Destinations, Seattle, Sports, Travel Experiences Tagged With: 12th Man, bombogenesis, NFL, Richard Sherman, Skeptical Chymist, The Grand Canyon, University of Phoenix Stadium, Vince Lombardi

BY Nancy Mueller Leave a Comment ON December 31, 2014

2014: Oh, the Places I’ve Been!

How to capture an entire year of phenomenal travel experiences in one post? Impossible. Instead, here’s a photo montage of a few favorites, reminding me what a lucky gal I am . . .

Quebec

February and August . . . I fell in love with Quebec . . .

San Francisco

March . . . Stopped by San Francisco, the City by the Bay . . .

Okanagan B.C. Wine Country

May . . . Wandered through Okanagan, B.C. wine country  . . .

Kenmore Air Over Seattle and Spokane

May . . . Flew high with Kenmore Air over Seattle . . . and Spokane . . .

Ohai California

May . . . Took a mini-retreat in Ohai . . .

Whales watching in the San Juans and Glacier Bay

Spring and summer . . . Went whale watching in the San Juans and Glacier Bay . . . Imagining what I could have captured with the right camera lens!

Carson Kressley and Kym Johnson

July . . . Danced with the Stars, Carson Kressley and Kym Johnson, on a Holland America cruise to Alaska . . .

Blue Angels

August . . . Got buzzed by the Blue Angels at the top of the Space Needle, prompting the guy standing next to me to say, “Time for a change of underwear.”

Evelyn Hannon

Played Seattle tour guide and made friends with the pioneer Journeywoman herself, Evelyn Hannon, and her friend Marilyn . . .

Mount Rainier

September . . . I reacquainted myself with our favorite mountain, Mount Rainier . . .

Jetty Island

Summer . . . Discovered two new treasures close to home – Jetty Island and . . .

Birch Bay

June . . . Birch Bay . . .

State Cross Country Championships

November . . . Witnessed these phenomenal young women bring home the State Cross Country Championship – Woo hoo!!

Pacific Northwest

Happy New Year from the beautiful Pacific Northwest!

Wander on!

Nancy

Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism
Holland America
Kenmore Air
The Oaks at Ojai
Quebec Tourism
Snohomish County Tourism
Thompson Okanagan / Destination BC
Visit Rainier

Thanks to my hosts for covering part, though not all, of my travel expenses.

Where have your travels taken you in 2014, Wanderboomers? I’d love to hear.

Filed Under: Activities, British Columbia, California, Cruising, Destinations, Pacific Northwest, Québec, San Juan Island, Seattle, Travel Experiences, Washington State Tagged With: 2014, Blue Angels, Carson Kressley, Dancing with the Stars, Happy New Year, Holland America, Kenmore Air, Kym Johnson, State Cross Country Championships

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Hello fellow wanderboomers! I’m a Seattle-based travel journalist, specializing in fun travel adventures for the young at heart. My articles have been featured in Hemispheres, AAA Highroads Magazine and Northwest Travel & Life Magazine where I'm a frequent contributor. When this Wanderboomer isn’t traveling, I help global executives polish their personal and professional brand for long-term results.
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