Melakwa Lake

Melakwa Lake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle, Weekend, Outdoor adventures

Saturdays could easily turn into just another day in the week. We could spend our time cleaning, doing projects around the house and running errands, but instead Saturdays have become our day to invest in our most important priority-our family. On a typical Saturday, we try to leave the house early and head for the mountains. Depending on a variety of factors; the weather, our energy levels etc. we set out on a hike for the day. On this particular day, we hiked a total of nine miles. We hiked to a beautiful alpine lake called Melakwa. On our way up, while Jasper took a nap, I took time to document just a few of the wildflowers we saw. Once he was awake, amidst cascading waterfalls and scenic vistas we practiced his animal sounds. 

Our long weekend in Victoria, B.C.

Our long weekend in Victoria, B.C.

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend, Parenting

The biggest perk of catching the early ferry is you can hit the ground running once you are in Victoria. When traveling with a toddler two of the most important factors are food and speed. During our boat ride we were able to eat breakfast and then spend the rest of the time checking out all the boats and beautiful scenery out our window and chatting with the interesting people on board. Once in Victoria we took a short taxi ride to our hotel and without much fuss we were able to be settled into our room and get a bite to eat all before noon. Since it was so early in the day, we then had the rest of the day to explore Victoria at our leisure. We had such a long list of things we wanted to do we really appreciated being able to get up to Victoria so fast and with such ease on the Victoria Clipper. 

Outstanding in the Field at Hama Hama Oysters

Outstanding in the Field at Hama Hama Oysters

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Weekend, Travel, Food

There is something utterly romantic about taking a mid week break from every day life, boarding a ferry and heading to a beautiful place to have a wonderful meal. Outstanding in the Field isn't about just food, it is about bringing people from all walks of life together. I really relished the opportunity to have an evening set aside to meet the makers, break bread with the farmers and celebrate some of the best things in life.

Wolf in the Fog

Wolf in the Fog

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend, Food

Some times you eat and other times you feast. Our recent anniversary dinner at Wolf in the Fog in Tofino was definitely the latter. Aside from the jaw dropping scenery from the top deck, the friendly and attentive staff and innovative dishes being pumped out of the kitchen Wolf in the Fog is a place whose food lingers in your mind. From the Potato Crusted Oyster to the Bamfield Seaweed Salad to the Moroccan Spiced Octopus to the Shellfish and Chicken Laksa each dish was a delight to all senses. 

Beach day

Beach day

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle, Parenting, Outdoor adventures

It never quite feels like Summer until we spend a day at the beach. We met our friends on the first day of Summer for an epic day of surf, sand and togetherness. I am grateful for my friends who were brave and ventured into motherhood at a young age. For us it means we have a whole slew of potential babysitters at our disposal and so many sweet children eager to teach Jasper all sorts of cool things. 

Duck Soup Inn

Duck Soup Inn

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Food

At the end of an unassuming gravel road on San Juan Island there exists a place unlike anywhere else. A quiet, unpretentious place which delights your sense, satisfies your belly, sparks your creativity and challenges you to rethink how you present food at your own home.  Duck Soup Inn is home to Kyle Nicholson, an amazing chef, who is known throughout the island and beyond as a food pioneer. Before taking the reigns at Duck Soup Inn Kyle has been the Executive Chef at the Friday Harbor House. After meeting Kyle I was impressed by his quiet strength and his calm presence. Throughout the island he is thought of as a creative force and I firmly believe he is on his way to making Duck Soup Inn a destination.  

Summer Guide to Seattle

Summer Guide to Seattle

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle, Travel

The two questions I get more than any other is "What are some non touristy things I can do with out of town guests?" or "What should I do when I come to visit Seattle?" Today, I will set out to answer those two questions and give you a variety of ideas of things you can do both near and far.

Picking our way through Summer

Picking our way through Summer

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Food, Parenting

Jasper is just as crazy about eating berries as I am, so we have made an agreement to pick as many berries as humanly possible this Summer. So far we went strawberry picking twice, raspberry picking once and now blueberry picking twice. Jasper and I both love to be outside and it would not feel like Summer without spending ample time in the sunshine popping warm berries into our mouths. Picking berries will always be something I remember fondly from my own childhood and being able to carry on that tradition with my own child is pretty special.  

Black Rock Resort

Black Rock Resort

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend

Earlier this year, we decided it was high time we returned to where we spent our honeymoon- Ucluelet, B.C. For our eleventh wedding anniversary we spent a relaxing four days at Black Rock Resort as we celebrated each other and the awesome life we have created together. Although many people have never heard of Ucluelet, it is a ruggedly beautiful place located on Vancouver Island about four hours west of Victoria, B.C.

Friday Harbor Farmer's Market

Friday Harbor Farmer's Market

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Food, Travel, Weekend

One of my favorite things to do when I am visiting a place is to attend the local Farmer's market. Not only is it a good way to get a sense of the local cuisine, and interact with locals, but also gives you an opportunity to sample some local food you might not be able to try any other way. On our visit to Friday Harbor's Farmer's Market we were able to try our very first barbecued oyster which resulted in a subsequent trip to Wescott Bay Oyster Farm, sampled some of the first raspberries of the season and picked up some beet and radish seeds to fill the space in our garden once we pulled out the peas. In reality, I wanted to try almost everything and all the color and variety of the market made me very excited for the bounty which we call Summer.

Cruising around San Juan Island

Cruising around San Juan Island

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Outdoor adventures

During our stay at Lakedale Resort we had the opportunity to cruise around San Juan Island one day in a scoot coupe from Susie's Moped. It was a fun way to spend the day and see the island from a different perspective. We also enjoyed being able to leave our car for the day and explore the island in a more environmentally friendly way. If you have a couple of hours, half a day or a full day Susie's Moped is the perfect thing to do if you want to walk on the ferry and avoid the lines, but still see the entire island at your own pace. 

Sailing Lessons with Lake Union Charters & Adventures

Sailing Lessons with Lake Union Charters & Adventures

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Seattle, Nature, Outdoor adventures

On a cloudy, overcast day we met Captain Ron on the shore of Lake Union to take part in our very first sailing lesson. Many companies start their sailing lessons in the classroom, but Lake Union Charters and Adventures likes to get you out on the water and operating the boat immediately. I was little intimidated at the thought of sailing my own boat, but Captain Ron was patient, relaxed and fostered a non judgmental environment for learning.

Lakedale Resort

Lakedale Resort

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel, Weekend, Outdoor adventures

Do you ever want to visit a place where you can unplug? Where you can enjoy the great outdoors during the day and yet be able to come home to a few modern conveniences at night? A place where you can feel like a kid again either with or without your children? A quiet place where you can reconnect with your spouse? A place where you can enjoy quality time as a family or enjoy the serenity of nature alone? If you answered yes to any of these things, then Lakedale Resort is the place for you.

Bergen

Bergen

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

On our recent trip to Norway we split our time between Olso and Bergen. Bergen is known as the gateway to the fjords and is truly a remarkable place to visit. Bergen is also the perfect place to use as your base for exploring Norway. From Bergen you can easily access the city, coast, and fjords for an all encompassing experience of Norway. Aside from prime location and breathtaking scenery at every turn Bergen also has a lot to offer in the way of culture and history. Our first stop in Bergen was the Tourist Information to pick up our Bergen card. The Bergen card gives you free or discounted admission to most of the city's museums, attractions, sightseeing, cultural events, bus travel and even parking! 

Hiking with a toddler

Hiking with a toddler

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Parenting, Outdoor adventures

Hiking can be tricky with a toddler. On most hikes it is a delicate balance between keeping them entertained, doing a hike that isn't overcrowded with other people and pushing them too far. The hiking back packs they make for children these days make for one comfy ride for them, but if your toddler is anything like ours he likes to get down and explore on his own two legs. We have taken Jasper on several dozen hikes and each time we learn a little something more to be better prepared next time. And if I had a dollar for every time someone said they wanted to be carried up the mountain in a back pack like we have for Jasper, I would be filthy rich! 

Scandic Vulkan

Scandic Vulkan

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

When planning our trip to Oslo we knew we wanted to stay somewhere fun, hip and with a local flair. Making certain there were cool places to eat and fun shops nearby was also very high on our priority list. So when I stumbled upon Scandic Vulkan it was a match made in heaven. The Scandic Vulkan is located in the up and coming Vulkan neighborhood, surprisingly the area and its recent growth reminded us a lot of Seattle. In just a two minute walk from the hotel you are inside arguably one of my favorite spots in Oslo- Mathallen Oslo. Mathallen Oslo has an endless array of delicious things to eat and pretty things to look at. Eating out is admittedly one of our favorite things to do and food is consistently at the top of our souvenir list. 

A weekend retreat on Silver Lake

A weekend retreat on Silver Lake

Lisette Wolter-McKinley
Travel

Over Memorial Day we rented this cabin through Mount Baker Lodging for the weekend. We had never visited Silver Lake before, but it was such a beautiful property I can foresee us visiting again and again. Although the weather was not fantastic while we visited, it encouraged us to take it easy and recharge after our trip to Europe. After a busy month of traveling it allowed us to get back on our schedules. Despite the weather we still managed to go on a short hike, visited the nearby state park, spent an afternoon in Bellingham and even did a little strawberry picking at a local farm. 

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