I think we may have found a new family tradition.
The weather didn’t exactly cooperate so we didn’t spend as much time out on the beach at La Push like we thought we would (including roasting marshmallows over bonfires at night on the beach which we were really looking forward to), but we had a great time just the same. There’s something about staying in a cabin by the ocean with lots of family that makes it the quintessential family vacation. Most times the days center around meals. You cook, eat, drink and clean and in a few hours you do it all over again for the next meal.
On our way over to the coast from Olympia, we stopped to get seafood at a place near Aberdeen. We had an empty cooler packed with ice and we were looking forward to getting crab and clams for dinner, and then halibut and scallops for ceviche another night, but we were told that there were no crabs that day. Kind of funny when the whole trip at one point seemed to center around this crab cookout. With some last minute brainstorming, Mark decided to make a seafood chowder. We ate it with corn and lots of pre-dinner appetizers like some smoked salmon that a family member caught and smoked just 3 days before, and some really good olives, brie, home-canned pickled beans and home-brewed beer.
There isn’t any cell signal or wifi out at the coast. And you know what? I didn’t miss it. Sure, we’d all whip out our phones the minute we drove through town (Forks – you know, twilight and vampires and stuff), but the rest of the time we played board games and talked.
A huge storm passed our way our last night in La Push. It was windy and cold and raining sideways. We probably spent all of about 2 hours total on the beach the whole time we were there. We didn’t see any sunsets, we didn’t have a cookout and we didn’t roast marshmallows over bonfires, but it was probably the most memorable part of our entire vacation. Within the first 30 minutes of being settled in our cabin, we all simultaneously agreed that this should be a new family tradition.
Unplugged should be mandatory for vacationing.
The coast is my favorite place in the world. The weather is almost always cold and rainy but it’s our family’s decompression place, too. Life just seems a whole lot simpler out there.
Such dreamy photos.
Such a lovely feeling to share meals and leisure time together. The photos of the food are so enticing.
We were in La Push last week and tented one night in the rain. We had hoped to stay longer and hike the trails and take photographs, but there will have to be a next time. 🙂 Rain scared us off…
We must have been there at the same time. One night the rain and wind were really intense – it almost felt like hurricane weather
Thank you for sharing these gorgeous photographs, both on this post and the previous one. They are stunning.
Ah gorgeous photos. La Push looks so amazing. Sorry not sorry that I only know about this place because of Twilight.. eeek xo
I had no idea twilight was set here until I started researching places to stay. And coincidentally it was on TV that night so I watched it.
My grandma used to live in Montesano when I was a little kid and when she’d say we were going to the beach I’d burst into tears because that meant I’d be cold and wet for the duration. Them Washington beaches aren’t for the faint of heart.
I’m glad you enjoyed La Push, even though the weather didn’t cooperate. My husband and I camped on the beach in La Push years ago before we had kids. It was a great experience. We haven’t been back since. Thanks for the reminder. We’ll have to take our girls. Maybe next summer.
Sounds heavenly. Love the photos.
these are all so beautiful!!
I love these pictures. They really capture the feeling…thanks!
I’ve lived in Seattle for over 35 years and have never been to the Northern Washington Coast! Beautiful pictures. Did you have a private cabin or can you make a recommendation?
Hi! We stayed here at Quileute Oceanside Resort in one of the cabins (we had 2 for our whole family). There aren’t too many places to stay at that spot but I know there are some houses for rent up and down the coast.
Despite the storm, it still looks like a lovely time. If only it were easier to unplug when we are not on vacation!
Beautiful pics, as always, Jenna. Love how you document your life. You’re honest and straightforward. These clams look delicious…..!
I think we must have been here the weekend before you… When we visited, we were lucky enough to get some rare sunshine. The coast is so changeable, but the grey mistiness is oftentimes even more atmospheric and beautiful that blue skies. LaPush really is just the most amazing place.
I love the gray and misty weather on the coast, but this was a serious storm. It was so windy and raining sideways that you couldn’t really be outside. I think we got unlucky with the weather because the days before and after were sunny. It was still a great time though.