Chambers Creek Regional Park

I am officially done with 2018 updates. Now, onto 2019!

Although we don't like to party that doesn't mean I like to stay home on holidays ... I will always choose the less chaotic vibe over the busy. We had a slow new year's day. We woke up to no alarm and took our time getting ready. Spoke with my parents and then headed to Snoqualmie Falls. Surprisingly it wasn't windy.

Jacob was off for a couple of days. We visited the zoo, had a yummy lunch at Five Guys then on to Starbucks for a warm drink. It was a very cold day on Jan. 2nd. I also did a bit of book shopping. Have to start the year off right ... continue to build up my home library!



Sometimes we get tired of eating out. Don't you? Sometimes we pack a lunch and have a picnic however, during the Winter months when it's freezing and raining we put the seats down in my Tahoe and have a picnic in my car. We like it, Riley says it's cozy.

We visited Chambers Creek Regional Park. Had not been here before. It's 950 acres located along the shores of the Puget Sound. It's got sand dunes, massive fairways and breathtaking views.
It was so windy and cold. I'm glad we had our thick jackets on. The park was almost deserted except for a handful of couples and a man walking his dog.
It was your typical PNW winter day. The sky was so nice to look at!

This picture is a bit grainy. Riley was trying to walk forward but the wind kept pushing him to the side.

I love how the natural element of the driftwood makes the picture that much more interesting.

It's a really nice area to enjoy a walk. I love leisurely walks as much as hiking. It's such a relaxing activity ... there's just so many positive things about spending time outdoors.

It was a simple day but stimulating. These types of outings (out in nature) I find fun and bring so much fulfillment.

A place where the noise of the outside 

world is muted, immerse in the wonders of nature.

Cannon Beach & Cape Disappointment

The Oregon coast definitely has a soft spot in my heart.

Back in February we went on a quick getaway to Cannon Beach. Well, we first stopped in Astoria to have lunch at our favorite restaurant for some fish n chips. Their tartar sauce is so creamy and the fish isn't greasy at all. So delectable. I love the views from Bridgewater Bistro. One can see boats, big cargo ships pass by and the bridge always makes a good background prop.
After we ate we made the forty minute drive to Cannon Beach. We first checked into our lodge, which has a New England charm. I thought it was wonderful. I would rather have this type of setting than having to walk through a busy lobby of a big hotel. I prefer the more intimate, low key feel.

The room we stayed in was a one bedroom with a living room that had a sleeper sofa. It was like a one bedroom apartment but without a kitchen (although, this room did have a compact fridge and a microwave). There was also a dining table for two. Very intimate and cozy. What I found somewhat surprising was that there was an open Bible on one of the nightstands. Seeing that made me smile.

Our outdoor view from our room was of the courtyard and a few feet away we came across a Koi pond. Such a lovely view. We didn't bump into people checking in or out like you would at a hotel.

After we checked in and left our belongings in our room we headed out to walk on the beach. This is definitely the best time to visit the beaches here because there's not many people walking around sightseeing. It's mostly locals out during this time of the year or people like us that appreciate a visit to the beach on a cold day.

Thankfully we were appropriately dressed so we walked quite a distance from Haystack Rock. We noticed lots of odd looking jellyfish. They were quite gross really. The long ones were giving me a nauseated feeling because Riley kept stepping on them and water would squirt out, yuck!!!

After we walked for over two hours we left the beach, got take out and had dinner in our room. Oh so cozy!

And I sure love it when I don't have to wake up too early the following day. This gives me the chance to read in bed for a bit.
This is the very first book I read about the Holocaust because of how horrific this event was but this book, The Hiding Place I thoroughly enjoyed. Corrie had such strong faith in God and was/is truly an inspiration.

After eating breakfast we left Oregon and headed back to Washington, the Cape Disappointment way.

It was so wintry out ... rainy and windy but at one point it began to snow while we were at a lookout. It was exciting. There's just something magical about the first snow flurries and seeing your breath. Riley was all smiles and I had a constant sniffle.

Such pretty views. In my opinion whenever there are trees, cliffs and huge rocks on the beach it makes the experience that much more beautiful.

Cape Disappointment Lighthouse
It is the oldest functioning lighthouse on the West Coast. In 1788 British fur trader John Meares (who by the way also has a lighthouse named after him in Tillamook county named Cape Meares Lighthouse) named the area Cape Disappointment after his inability to locate the river's mouth.
I think this scene is so beautiful. I can stay out here for hours. We were hoping to see whales but we weren't so lucky this time around.

We continued our drive up the Washington coast. It kept on snowing. There were very few people on the road which was good. Although it was February we had Christmas music playing on the radio. Classical Christmas carols are just so wonderful and they quickly change the ambiance and makes one forget our worries and troubles. It's just a lovely cozy feeling.

The snow was sticking and I prayed for protection like I always do whenever we're out on the road. I remember texting Nathan back home and asking him if it was snowing and he said no. So that was a relief. This was enough snow to last me for about a week (because several days after this it snowed where I live 😖).

I did like how all the pine trees covered in snow looked though. There were so many that it made things look blurry. It was weird.

If you listen carefully, the silence if beautiful!

A New Year (2018)

I don't do new year's resolutions but what I hope for myself is to grow more in my walk with God and continue to live according to his decrees. This is all I hope for, for the rest of my life.


I prefer to be out of the house enjoying the day than staying home especially on January 1st. Being out in nature is always were I want to go. It's so nice taking a drive and being surrounded by all these tall pine trees.
We woke up on January 1st somewhat early and headed over to Bremerton then made our way to Poulsbo (the little Scandinavian town).

There's several shops I like going in to. There's two bookstores, a shoe store where I check on the Birkenstock styles they carry, a Vintage shop, apparel stores that also carry the cutest gifts and novelties, and lastly the bakery shop. They have such a large selection of pastries even cakes.

We've visited this little town in the past and I believe I have shared pictures of how it looks so I'm not going to share them again this time. This is a place we enjoy visiting that's why we keep coming back. The small marina sits next to a park so it's a nice place to come and take in a little bit of sun while enjoying boats passing by.

With kids though you know you can never sit down for too long before they begin to wander off.

One thing though, we haven't had lunch in Poulsbo yet. We've looked up the restaurants on Yelp but none of them have good ratings. I guess we're going to have to just try one of them out and see. But what we usually do is have lunch on Bainbridge Island which is a twelve mile drive from Poulsbo ... and after we eat we grab some coffee before we ride the ferry back to Seattle. This is why I like to go on this little outing, it's relaxing and fun!

You never know where you'll be directed to park as you enter the ferry. This time we got to park right in the center of it. We usually get out of the car and admire the scenery because to us it always feels like the first time riding the ferry, every single time. I haven't lost that sense of wonder and excitement of it and I hope I never do.

While Riley was still off for Christmas break I took him to see Coco. Such a cute movie!

One of our favorite parks is Discovery Park. We chose this park over others when we want to go on a moderate hike.
There's a pretty small church at the top. Sadly, I don't believe its in use.

Then you walk downhill and come across a large field. The view up here is gorgeous and with a cloudy sky like this one it makes it even more so.

There's quite of bit of stairs so that will definitely make you get out of breath. But what you get to see makes it worth it.

I love the deep quiet I experience out in nature and the cold air on my face makes me feel alive.
This is what I want my loved ones to remember me by, my love for nature and the sea/Puget Sound.

In every walk with nature, 

one receives far more than he seeks.