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BY Nancy Mueller 8 Comments ON April 2, 2012

5 Fun Ways Seattleites Beat the Rainy Blues

If you have never lived in the Pacific Northwest, you might wonder how Seattleites cope with so much regional rain. We who do live here ask ourselves the same thing, of course, especially by the time January and February roll around. But true Seattleites find a variety of ways to ward off the seasonal blues. Here’s our survival guide:

1) Go climb a wall.

If the seemingly endless gray skies make you feel like climbing the walls, why not do just that? Visit the REI flagship store where you can Climb the Pinnacle for a mere $7.00 (members) or $20.00 (non-members). Just be sure to make a reservation first and prepare to sign a waver of liability.

Or head to Vertical World at one of several locations where you can sign up for a range of classes or packages from “Intro. to Climbing” to “Lead Climbing.” How better to test your strength and resolve before tackling mountain climbing in the Northwest? Of course, if you’d rather simply stop by and climb the walls, you can do that, too.

2) Hop on a ferry.

When you’re ready for a short skip out of town, Washington State Ferries are ready to be of service. With so many routes available, your only challenge lies in choosing where to go. For a quick getaway, you can board a ferry to several nearby destinations: bucolic Vashon Island, the artistic community of Bainbridge Island, the town of Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula for a visit to one of the world’s largest U.S. Navy repair yards, or Whidbey Island, for saltwater beaches and hiking trails. For longer visits, the San Juan Islands (Lopez, Shaw, Orcas and San Juan), Alaska and British Columbia beckon.

3) Make a museum date.

One day you feel like viewing the paintings of renown artists, another day exploring your fascination with dinosaurs. One day your mood runs more to rock n’ roll, another day to aviation, natural history or sci-fi. Whatever your inclination or budget, Seattle has a museum for you.

4) Embrace the rain.

That’s right. If you can’t beat the gloomy weather, you might as well get out and enjoy it! Just don a waterproof hat, jacket and pants and you’re all set. You’re not going to let a little drizzle dampen your spirits, are you?

5) Follow the Sun.

When all else fails,  Seattleites start planning their escape to the Sun Belt – Arizona, California and Florida are popular destinations. But sooner or later visions of tropical paradise, swinging hammocks and island living spring to mind. And when they do, Hawaii lands at the top of the list. Honolulu and Waikiki, Kaua’i, Maui and “the Big Island,” are perennial favorites with Seattle locals.

What about you, Wanderboomers? How do you beat the winter blues? What’s your favorite place for sun n’ fun?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Destinations, Seattle Tagged With: Alaska, aviation history, Bremerton, British Columbia, Climb the Pinnacle, dinosaurs, Honolulu, Kaua'i, Lopez Island, Maui, mountain climbing, Museums, natural history, Orcas Island, rain, REI, rock n' roll, San Juan Islands, sci-fi, Seattle, sun n' fun, the Big island, the blues, U.S. Navy, Vashon Island, Vertical World, Waikiki, Washington State Ferries, waterproof, Whidbey Island

BY Nancy Mueller 4 Comments ON May 5, 2011

5 Ways to Enjoy a Seaside Vacation

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky,
And all I need is a tall ship and a star to steer her by . . .
– from the poem Sea Fever by John Masefield

When you feel the call of the ocean, you know what that means: it’s time to start planning your next seaside getaway. But you don’t have to be at sea to enjoy a vacation near the water. You can play at the beach, visit maritime museums, walk around a commercial boatyard, hang out at the hotel pool, or jump into a flurry of water sports on or near shore.

Here are 5 ways to enjoy your next seaside escape with or without the kids and grandkids:

1) Go fly a kite.
Sure you can sit and watch the waves roll in, but to kick the fun factor up a notch:

  • Bring your favorite beach toys.
  • Build a sandcastle.
  • Finally learn how to launch and land a kite. Oh – and keep it airborne, too!
  • Go beachcombing.
  • Join in a beach volleyball game.

Whatever you do, make sure you go barefoot and squish the sand between your toes.

2) Visit a maritime museum.

You can wander through the exhibits or join in the interactive activities. You might even get to:

  • Explore the inside of a pilothouse or the engine room of a tugboat.
  • Listen to mariners tell their tales of harrowing adventures at sea.
  • See ship models and artifacts.
  • Blow a ship’s whistle.
  • Try your hand at boat building.

3) Explore a working boatyard. If you don’t normally hang out in a boatyard, you’re in for a real treat when you wander among the works-in-progress. You might:

  • See search-and-rescue vessels docked nearby.
  • Watch a boat crew lower their yacht into the water to test its seaworthiness.
  • Ask a crew member how they came up with the name for their wooden classic.
  • Observe a boat crew rebuilding their salmon troller.
  • Order fish and chips at the mariner cafe.

4) Be a lounge lizard at the hotel pool.

Dip your toes in or dive deep when it’s time to cool off.

  • Swim.
  • Take a nap.
  • Catch up on your reading.
  • Have an appetizer and a frou-frou drink.
  • Join a water exercise class – although that sort of defeats the purpose of being a lounge lizard.

You are wearing sunscreen, aren’t you? Don’t forget your sunglasses and straw hat, too.

5) Plunge into water sports: Choose a sport to match your desired activity level. Scuba diving, anyone? Alternatively, you could:

  • Go horseback riding on the beach.
  • Hug the shore in a kayak.
  • Rent a beach cruiser bike or boogie board. (I didn’t say you have to use it.)
  • See how long you can stay upright on a stand up paddle surfing board.
  • Why not go for the gusto and try parasailing?

A seaside vacation has something for everyone. What’s your vision for the perfect seaside getaway, Wanderboomers?

Filed Under: Activities, Baby Boomers and Travel, By Land, By Ship & By Sea, Uncategorized Tagged With: Beachcombing, Couples Travel, Museums, Outdoor Adventures, Sports, Teen Travel, Traveling Solo, Traveling with Friends & Family

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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