The Bitterroot Beginning ★

 Airstream Kitchen, Breakfast, Darby, Great Campsites, Montana, Rockin the Rockies 2013  18 Responses »
Aug 052013
 

Angler's Roost Montana with our Airstream

Four months ago we began planning our “Rockin’ the Rockies” Airstream road trip and finally, here we were, at the very beginning.

The Bitterroot Beginning.

We found ourselves at the “Angler’s Roost” campground in Hamilton, Montana tucked along the Bitterroot River.  We softly landed in site #19 after a full day of driving from Seattle.  Daylight was still ours for a bit so we settled in and took time to relax.

I kept thinking to myself  “three weeks away from corporate America,” and those words, in and of themselves made me feel very happy.

And relaxed . . .  Continue reading »

A Whale of a Tale

 Airstream Kitchen, San Juan Island, San Juan Islands, Sweet Treats, Whale Watching  6 Responses »
Aug 092012
 

Today we are on the West Side of San Juan Island specifically at Lime Kiln State Park.   Comprised of 36 acres, Lime Kiln is considered one of the best places in the world to view whales from land.  I will tell you that it is spectacularly beautiful here.  Sweeping views of Haro Strait with the whale’s swimming gracefully through the waters will definitely take your breath away if not put a tear or two of emotional happiness in your eyes.

The lighthouse and park are both run on a voluntary basis thanks to the “Friends of Lime Kiln Society.”  Thanks to the society, the park and light house have remained in excellent condition.  It’s a wonderful thing don’t you think to see people volunteering their time, for free, to help preserve history?

Continue reading »

Sweet Beginnings on San Juan Island

 Airstream Kitchen, San Juan Island, San Juan Islands, Sweet Treats  5 Responses »
Aug 082012
 

We have arrived on San Juan Island and I would like to thank you for coming along with us as we begin our second journey in the San Juan archipelagos.   To be able to share with you the adventures, beauty and everything else that this island has to offer makes me very happy (and excited!).

But first thing is first.  A special visit to our favorite beach.  SOUTH BEACH.

“I don’t remember coming here mommy…”

“Oh but we did come here and sooo many times,” I told B as we walked along the beach.

I was glad to have him back here to begin the memories again because this was such a special beach to us. Many memories here.

Years ago we began coming here to the beauty you see before your eyes. Perhaps you remember when we visited in the off season and I made an easy seafood dinner? That was a beautiful day for sure!

Today a celebration of s’mores was in order. It felt good to be back.


~ a very different kind of s’more (assembly instructions below)

If you have not had the opportunity to read my piece on the Huffington Post about Orcas Island you can do so here.  It was a labor of love writing about Orcas.  All of these islands are the same but yet all have very different “flavors.”  I feel so very lucky (and honored) to be able to write about them for the whole world to read and discover.

A Special Kind of S’more

Print recipe
A Special Kind of S’more

Ingredients

  • Nabisco Chocolate Wafers (instead of the chocolate bar)
  • Biscoff Spread (instead of the graham cracker. If you are unsure of what Biscoff Spread is, google it but be warned, it is amazing!)
  • Jumbo Marshmallows (cut in half, length wise)
  • Currants

Directions

Step 1
Spread the chocolate wafers with the Biscoff
Step 2
Toast your marshmallows and place on top of one of the wafer with the Biscoff spread
Step 3
Sprinkle some tart currants on top and seal this heavenly deal with another chocolate wafer

 

 

 

The Promise of Long Summer Days and a Kayak Tour with Shearwater Kayaks

 Airstream Kitchen, Kayaking, Orcas Island, San Juan Islands, Sweet Treats  7 Responses »
Jul 232012
 

Warm air, sunny blue skies and long days.  These are just a few of our favorite things about summer.

Our summer, so far has been spent in the San Juan Islands here in Washington State.    Every weekend, we are here.  Well, I should correct that — every weekend, I am here.  Hubby and B are the lucky ones that can be here all of the time since school is out for summer.  They call me while I am working away in busy corporate America telling me about the whales that are breaching off the coast of South Beach on San Juan Island while I am frantically fixing the copy machine that has flooded our work room with a sea of papers.  Or they call me to tell me about the most delicious lunch they have just enjoyed while I glance down at my pitiful brown bag lunch now smashed because I unknowingly dropped it on the floor and proceeded to roll over it with my chair.  *sigh*  This is not all, I also receive pictures via my email that hubby snapped from his phone of certain events happening during their days such as dungeness crabs they have caught, views from the top of mountains they have climbed all while being co-mingled with urgent emails from fellow colleagues needing A.S.A.P. help with something.

But really, I am happy for them because I know they are having the time of their lives.  Really!

What keeps me going?  The fact that on Friday’s I have a one way ticket to paradise . . .


~ A Weekend Escape to Orcas Island from Corporate America

These weekends for me are filled with excitement because after five long days of not seeing my boys — there they are.

“Mommeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!” cries B as he runs to me, weaving in and out of the line of walk on passengers.  He literally, runs faster than a speeding train and I must really brace myself to make sure we don’t fall over.

“Are we going to go kayaking now??”  he asked.

“Yes! ” and with that came a big sigh of relief :)

Kayaking was on my mind all week and I could hardly wait.  Our tour guide was Jeff with Shearwater Kayaks and on this evening we were able to tag along while he toured a lovely couple, Kathy and Robert on a sunset kayak tour.  Not only does Jeff know these waters like no other but he teaches you quickly and easily the ropes of kayaking.

Finally, my weekend has begun . . .

In addition to exploring the islands and all of the outdoor activities they offer, I love going to the farmer’s market to pick up goodies like these.  I was very excited to see currants there.  Oh those currants, how I have missed them!


These are just some of the views you can expect to experience while on a sea kayak tour with Shearwater

Peaceful, quiet and beautiful . . .


Wildlife abounds in the San Juan Islands as seen this evening on our kayak tour . . .


Grilled and flattened sugared figs with a honey and ricotta.  Another simple, yet elegant creation prepared in my Airstream kitchen with ingredients from the islands . . .

Thank you Jeff for allowing us to come along on your incredible kayak tour :)  It will be a memory we will have forever and can hardly wait to come back again!!

Home sweet home :)