Gig Harbor: Tides Tavern was a Lucky Find

Gig Harbor is a little resort town that we barely had the chance to visit, but I already know that I want to go back. When we drove through town I saw cute gift shops, ice cream and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the water. If you look in the photo above and find the kayak, look directly above him, that's Mount Rainier!

We took a driving trip in late May with the goal of reaching Port Townsend on the northeastern tip of the Olympic peninsula. It was a beautiful day, we had a picnic in the cooler and our plan was to enjoy the ride.

We stopped in Gig Harbor to stretch our legs and find a picnic table. We noticed a large public dock called the Maritime Pier and parked so that we could walk out onto it. From the pier, we noticed this seafood restaurant called Tides Tavern.

Out of nowhere, my mom said that she thought she had read about Tides Tavern in Coastal Living magazine recently. Really? I goggled "coastal living, tides tavern" and sure enough, Tides Tavern was selected as one of the best seafood dives in all of Washington. Good job, Mom - what a memory! We decided that if the timing was right, we'd return to the restaurant that night for dinner. 

We found a spot in Gig Harbor for our picnic lunch and then packed up and drove to Port Gamble, then up to Port Townsend, back down through Port Ludlow and then made our way back to Gig Harbor again around 7:30. It sounds like a lot, but it was an easy drive and simply beautiful!

When we returned, we noticed that the tide had come back in! Look how pretty the restaurant looks in the evening. We had to wait about 30 minutes for a table, but enjoyed our fish & chips in a favorite local hangout.

Gig Harbor, we will be back! #summerinwashington #daytripping #finddelight

Collecting Sea Glass

My dear friend has moved to an oceanfront cottage in Hawaii.  Sounds dreamy, doesn't it?  But moving is moving, regardless of how glamorous the destination, so (in addition to planning a trip to see her!) I have been trying to think of things to help her adjust to her new beach-y lifestyle. 

I think my best idea is that she could start a collection of "found objects" that wash ashore.  I tore out this article from Coastal Living magazine to mail to her and hope she before long she can make a tabletop display of sea glass, driftwood and other treasures that she finds on beach walks.

All of this talk of sea glass reminded me of a darling shop I visited on Little Cranberry Island (Islesford) in Maine.  It's called "Island Girl Sea Glass" and when I did a Google search to provide a link, I see that Travel & Leisure magazine has found her too!  I met island girl, Kelly, when I was touring the island and found the weathered look of her shop (above) to be irresistible.  Do you love sea glass?

Puzzle Material

Some might say that this would make a great puzzle!  Personally, I don't think my eyes do it!  I photographed this veritable "Where's Waldo" of ornithology last month when I was in Florida.  Can you see the birds in the waves? 

I didn't see any natural predators, but these birds certainly have the perfect camoflage for feeding along the coast.  Their deep pink legs disappeared into the froth every time a wave came on shore and I kept having to wait for the water to recede to know where to aim my camera. They were that hard to see!I just downloaded a free iPhone app to identify birds (iBird Lite) so I can tell you with confidence that this is a group of White Ibis. 

Coastal Living on Lake Michigan

Every time of day has something special to offer when you are living on the water. Early morning beach walks. A picnic lunch after a long swim.

Six o'clock in the evening is another magic time. The sun is still high, but the relaxed feeling of "a day well done" sets in. 

You still have hours before the beach fire and all you can do is give in to the moment.

My dear friend invited a few of us over for wine & appetizers on the patio. It was perfect.

Surely, this is what they mean by Coastal Living.