Fortune magazine reports that in recent years “workers, on average, fail to use nearly five vacation days a year.” With fluctuating gas prices, hectic social calendars, and erratic weather sometimes the best solution is a close-to-home staycation.
Whether planning for a long weekend or unexpectedly sunny Saturday, Hood Canal is home to activities for every taste, both literally and figuratively. Looking for an adult’s only splurge? Try wine tasting, which pairs nicely with a romantic getaway.
One such option is the Lighthouse on Hammersley Inlet, just 10 miles from Shelton. This charming bed and breakfast promises “many ‘hide aways’ where you can be alone and private but at the same time provides places to gather with other guests…or meet new friends.” They offer waterfront views, river rock fireplaces, and on-site massage availability.
Kick things up with an aphrodisiac dinner at Xinh’s Clam and Oyster House, proudly part of Taylor Shellfish. There you will find fresh, local, house-made specialties like oysters on the half shell and decadent chocolate mousse, two of the world’s proven top 10 most romantic foods.
Prefer adrenaline over oxytocin? This area is rich with ways to get the blood pumping. Shelton’s Skydive Kapowsin is “the only fully certified skydiving center available 7 days a week for your skydiving convenience.” A tandem jump requires only 10 minutes of training before you are strapped to an instructor and experience a 120 mile per hour, 13,000 foot free fall.
If you like your G-force on the racetrack, visit The Ridge Motorsports Park. There you can burn rubber on go-karts, learn to road race with the Ridge Driving Experience, or put your favorite wheels to the test on Testing Tuesday’s high speed open track time.
Keep your toys close at one of the county’s many maintained campgrounds, many of which have trails for off-road playtime. Hoodsport’s Glen Ayr Waterfront Resort pairs RV parking with hotel rooms and boat moorage. If you’re just looking for a day trip with hiking, picnic grounds, volleyball courts, and multiple boat launches, Skokomish Park at Lake Cushman has it all.
Families can sneak a little year-round learning into any trip.
Turn an easy day hike into science class by looking for one of the Olympic Peninsula’s 250+ bird species. Find beavers at the Hamma Hamma Beaver Pond, fish galore at the George Adams Salmon Hatchery, or print a self-guided trail map and see where the day takes you. With names like Buffleheads, Longbilled Dowitchers, and Marbled Murrelets, it could be the greatest birding bingo game yet.
Should the weather keeps you indoors, visit the Pacific Northwest Salmon Center in Belfair, which provides full educational calendars, informative displays, and helpful volunteers.
No matter what the season, we could all use a little more physical activity. Mason County’s Potlatch State Park offers beachcombing, programs for children, and windy stretches to fly kites or practice windsurfing.
The Mason County Recreation Area is home to baseball and softball diamonds, batting cages, and playgrounds. Older kids can enjoy the nearby Mason County Skate Park, which is also open year round, or the Shelton Springs Disc Golf Course.
With park offerings across Hood Canal, families can always easily find somewhere new and exciting to spend an afternoon or entire weekend.
More than 1,500 years ago, Herodotus said “if a man insisted always on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad.” In this era of squandered vacations and information overload, take a few hours or a few days to enjoy family, friends, community, and the outdoors. In such a gorgeous corner of creation, it’s not hard.
View a map of county-wide activities with contact information and driving directions online or read up on activities and events thanks to Thurston Talk’s intrepid explorers.
