This was the first spring break that we didn't have any plans or adventures planned. So, we decided to go at the end of our spring break, so Nate didn't miss too much work and went and stayed in a fun A-frame cabin in Longbranch, WA right on the Puget Sound. It was such a fun little getaway, and we loved all the beach combing we did and fun adventures we went on. We stayed Thursday to Saturday and though the weather wasn't the greatest most of the time we were indoors when it was raining and soaked up the sun when we could.
We arrived Thursday right at our check-in time and we loved our little cabin. There were two beds in the loft for Baylor and Paige and a room downstairs for Nate and I and McCall was in our room in the pack-n-play. We got everything set up and explored our new home for the next few nights. It had a wood burning stove and was pretty cold in the house when we arrived, and Nate loved keeping the firewood pile stocked and the fire burning. The girls had fun helping him and Paige even made the fire on her own one evening. McCall and Baylor loved the telescope and binoculars they had to look out on the pond in front of our house and all the bird watching. The house had an amazing deck with a gorgeous view. I made some dinner while we listened to Bob Marley on the record player. It was a super rainy evening, and it was nice to be in this cozy cabin with the fire burning. We watched Survivor and just relaxed before going to bed.
The first thing on the agenda on Friday morning was building a fire and making some breakfast.
We then drove 3 minutes to Joemma State Park right on the Sound. The tide was pretty low, which was good for beach combing. The sun came out and it was glorious to lounge out on the beach and soak up all the sun rays. Nate and the girls loved finding white rocks, flipping over rocks to find some crabs, climbing on the driftwood, and just enjoying time out in nature.
This cute girl lost her shoes and kept entertained by the little rocks and sand. She got a big clam shell from Nate and loved filling it with little rocks and then dumping it out and doing it all over again and again.
We watched the storm clouds come our way and headed out to walk on the pier. It started raining as we got to the end of the pier. (If you look at the bottom left picture, you can see the beautiful blue sky on one side and the darker sky on the other.)
We went to the local grocery store for a few snacks and then drove back to our little home away from home for lunch. We found an eagle to watch and just relaxed at the house while it rained.
McCall's point of view (I spy a cute little foot peeking in the picture:).
I saw a Christian church camp (Sound View Camp and Retreat Center) near us the bottom of the peninsula and I wasn't sure if they had day use things and so I called and the guy that I talked to was super nice and said even though they just barely open for the season, and no one was really there that we could come and tour the property and see what was there. We first got to see their little farm which the girls loved. Paige was brave enough to feed the alpacas.
Then we got to go in the animal pen and pet sheep, goats, and chickens. Paige even got to hold one of the chickens and it even fell asleep in her arms.
Then we walked around the property and looked inside the cabins they have available to rent and then we walked down to the waterfront. They have an amazing view and swimming area. They had kayaks and fun stuff that you could use when you camp there. They have a long pier, and we spent quite a bit of time down there just enjoying the Sound. The girls had fun throwing rocks in the water, Nate was skipping rocks like a champ like always, and we also come up with fun little games to keep the girls busy while playing near the water. It was such a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
Then we walked back on a gorgeous trail back up to the car.
The girls found a bird that had a hurt wing and they loved holding it and wanted to take it home.
It was a little tender mercy that the rain stopped before we got to the camp and then as we were driving back to our house for the evening the rain started up again. We spent the evening making dinner and enjoying our last night in our little cabin.
Saturday morning was breakfast, packing, and cleaning up. Nate got some pictures of the house before we checked out and it was such a fun place to stay. It was cool to see the tide go in and out on the pond and I loved just sitting on the porch enjoying the view. I would totally stay here again!
We then drove to Penrose State Park and to enjoy some beach time before heading home. We went here a few years ago when we had a reunion over this way and there was hardly anyone there, even in August. This time we went, and the parking lot was almost full and we were curious what was going on. I guess the clam season was open and there were SO many people out with their shovels and buckets. They even had a weigh station and park rangers counting how many clams people got so there was a limit. It was crazy and pretty entertaining to watch. The tide was really low which helped with the clamming.
We loved walking around and enjoying the gorgeous view. There were quite a few large rocks to flip over which so many little crabs and a few eels. The girls had fun exploring and it was such a nice way to end our little getaway.
We then went to the Snack Shack for lunch which was delicious and they even had fry sauce (which is kind of a big deal for here and it makes the Idaho in me so happy!). I would go there again to enjoy a meal.
We then drove to Gig Harbor and went to the Harbor History Museum since it was free (donations were accepted). It was a really cool museum with all sorts of fun artifacts and information about that area.
It was such a fun way to end our spring break!
