One of my absolute dreams (and long-term goals) is to have an A-frame cabin and this year my wish came true! Okay, so it may have only been for a weekend but we decided to go on a little getaway for my birthday and we stayed in the CUTEST cabin. Likeee holy ish, can I live here forever cuteness! Oh and get this… the company that owns the cabin is named Live Boldy and my company’s name is Going Bold Studio… So we were living bold for the weekend. So perfect right??

Like come on, how adorable right?! The cabin was located near Lake Cushman in Hood Canal which is one of my favorite areas. It’s just a hop and a skip from where we live and just feels like a real escape. Plus, it’s a great hub if you’re exploring the small towns in the area or exploring the Olympics. Since we were visiting in January and during COVID our outings were minimal but honestly I was just so excited to stay at the cabin I would have been happy just staying there the whole time.

The cabin was also pet-friendly (with a pet fee) which was awesome because Benji got to come along for the adventure. He absolutely loved it too as you can see. He made himself right at home on the bed! This little guy is such an adventurer, he loves getting to go places with us.

Which BTW, here is the listing for the cabin if you want to check it out. If you haven’t used Airbnb before, this link will also save you up to $65.

Now for the few places we did stop at that I’d recommend!

Union City Market

We have friends that live in Union so we kicked off a little adventuring with a trip to the Union City Market. If you’re in the area I highlyyyy recommend checking this spot out! They have an adorable market with local artisan goods, food and drinks and they also have a restaurant right on the water. It’s a casual grab and go spot and perfect for a bite while social distancing (and beyond!) And guys, their food is BOMB! Highly recommend it. Plus taking in the views by the water are just so relaxing.

Rocky Brook Falls

Following our quick bite we checked out a few other options our friends recommended including Rocky Brook Falls. This was a little bit of a drive from where we were (about 45 mins) but it was so worth checking out! There’s a huge waterfall and it’s only a short walk off the main road. Although, our driving directions took us on a little bit of a ride so I recommend using the directions from AllTrails. It’s not marked, but it’s right off the road on the righthand side and there’s a small parking lot on the left side of the road. Another thing just in general about the area is to screenshot directions when you have service because you’ll likely lose it when you aren’t on the main road.

The Hardware Distillery Co.

The cabin was also in a great location because it was just a quick drive to the tiny town of Hoodsport. It’s a tiny town but there’s everything you need for a little getaway — grocery store, restaurants and some cute shops. I definitely want to explore it more in the future but imagine it gets a bit crowded in the summer. This go around, Evan wanted to check out The Hardware Distillery Co. (another rec from our friends). It’s a local distillery that makes everything from Washington grown ingredients and they also sell spirits in gnome shaped bottles. One of the big reasons Evan wanted to pick some up!

Lake Kokanee

Lake Cushman may be the more well-known lake in the area but another option is Lake Kokanee aka Lower Lake Cushman. Given it was the dead of winter it was empty, but I’ve heard it’s a nice alternative to Cushman in the summer. A lot of the area is private, but the cabin we stayed at had a parking pass which would be nice when the weather is nicer. There are also public areas of the park too — just keep an eye on the signs! Nonetheless it was a gorgeous lake!

Lake Cushman Lookout

Our last stop on our way out of town was the Lake Cushman Lookout. This is just a turnoff on the way to the Lake Cushman park but I love, LOVE, LOVE this view. We make sure to stop every time we’re in the area rain or shine. This photo does not do it justice. Over the years, they’ve added a few picnic tables too so it’s a great spot to relax for a few before heading to your next destination.

That’s a wrap on our cabin life weekend. We had such a great time and I’m even more motivated than ever to save up so we can get out own cabin in the future too! Definitely rec this airbnb if you want to explore the area too! It’s not big.. but it’s the perfect size for a couple, a family or a few friends.

P.S. If you like keeping up with my PNW adventures, Evan and I started an Instagram account focused on just that! Follow along at @TheHicksintheSticks

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This year for Evan’s birthday weekend, he decided he wanted to go mushroom foraging! It’s something a lot of his family has been doing for years but neither of us had tried it so we decided to give it a go! We ended up having such a blast and I thought it was something cool to do that’s a little different so today I’m sharing some tips and things I learned in case you want to try it for yourself!

What to Know

Before you think about going you definitely want to make sure you’re educated and well prepared. We went with family who taught us the basics and knew where to go, but I know that isn’t the case for everyone so here are some helpful resources to guide you. The first one specific to Washington state that I recommend checking out is the Puget Sound Mycological Society which is a full-blown organization specifically focused on mushrooms! Apparently, the one in Washington is also one of the largest chapters in the country too! Although if you aren’t based in Washington there are chapters all over so be sure to find the one nearest you. If you check out their website you’ll find a wealth of resources with everything you need to know from rules and needed permits (depending on where you’re going), mushroom identification, book recommendations and even recipes! They also offer classes on mushroom identification and even do field trips where you can go out together (restricted during COVID). Definitely worth checking it out!

I also found a number of great books on the topic that will walk you through what you need to know. Here are 3 popular and well-reviewed options.

• Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest by Steve Trudell

• The Complete Mushroom Hunter by Gary Lincoff 

• Mushrooming without Fear: The Beginner's Guide to Collecting Safe and Delicious Mushrooms by Alexander Schwab

The number one thing you definitely want to be confident of before going is your ability to identify the Chanterelles — I don’t want anyone getting sick here! Having a resource on-hand to double-check the ones you picked when you get home before you eat them is a good idea too.

When to Go

Once you’ve learned some of the basics, let’s chat about when to go. This is going to depend on your region, but for Washington Labor Day to the first frost is generally the prime season. Although some of the group we went with said they can be found as early as July and intro January if we don’t get a bad freeze. It really just depends on where you are and the weather because mushrooms need wet conditions to grow. That being said, we all know Washington gets a lot of rain so it makes sense why our area has one of the most expansive selections of mushrooms in the world!

What to wear

Now that we’ve been, I definitely have some recommendations for what to wear! I didn’t totally nail this our first go-around. I’d compare it to similar clothing you’d wear hiking in the Fall in Washington. Decently warm and most importantly waterproof! I didn’t really know what to expect and didn’t realize we’d be walking through brush so I just wore yoga pants with hiking shoes and my ankles got pretty scratched up. So that being said here’s what I’d recommend.

• Raincoat or something waterproof and decently warm

• Rainboots, or hiking boots with tall socks — If you go with rainboots I’d pick shorter ones if possible, I know my tall hunter rainboots make it kind of tricky to walk and you’ll be walking over logs and through brush

• Hat — again, walking through tree branches and in the forest so this will help protect your face and not get your hair stuck in anything!

• Gardening gloves — These are a personal choice but I liked having them to keep my hands a little cleaner. I’d recommend rubberized ones if you do too to keep your hands dry

What to Bring

Beyond what you wear, here are some other things you’ll want to bring:

• Something to carry them in — We just used canvas bags but I’ve also seen it recommended that you use baskets

• Knife or garden clippers — Any kind of knife will really do, but they even make ones specifically for foraging. You can also use gardening clippers which is what we did

Where to Go

Luckily for us, we went with Evan’s family who already had some go-to spots in our area. If that isn’t the case for you though, there are a ton of places to go! I pulled together a few different guides to lead you in the right direction:

• Washington Trails Association Guide

• Visit Rainier Mushrooming Guide

• Outdoor Project Pacific Northwest Mushrooming Guide

What You’re Looking for

Chanterelles are known for their yellowy-orange color which separates them from some other varieties. They grow on the forest floor and we found quite a few near logs, or by trees, and also in mossy shrub filled areas. Some areas they were easier than others to spot but with a lot of fallen leaves a similar color they can blend in. It’s kind of like an Easter egg hunt in the forest! Here are some of the key things you’re looking for to ID chanterelles (but again, make sure you do your own research because there’s a few lookalikes)

• Golden color

• Veins go all the way down to the stem

• The “veins” are just ridges and not actual gills like you see in grocery store mushrooms

• The stems are solid all the way through and not hollow

• Don’t usually grow in clusters but if you find one there’s usually another one or a few nearby

• The caps aren’t slimy like some other mushrooms — they can be damp but won’t feel like a slug walked over them

Once you find them, you’ll want to slice or clip them at the bottom of the stem, brush off any bigger chunks of dirt and put them in your bag. Then when you’re home, you can lay them out on a cookie sheet for a day or two until the remaining dirt dries and then you can brush off the dirt with a toothbrush and then they’ll be ready to eat if you’re cooking them fresh! You can also dry them out, freeze them or can them. Lots of different options.

I hope you’ve found this post helpful and give it a try! We had such a fun time our first trip and probably found 30+ between the two of us! So we’ll definitely be enjoying those in the meantime and looking forward to our next trip!

P.S. If you like keeping up with my PNW adventures, Evan and I started an Instagram account focused on just that! Follow along at @TheHicksintheSticks

Please consider Washington’s reopening plan and check all recommended locations’ current status and hours prior to planning a visit.

I really don’t have to go far for this week’s Travel Local highlight, because it’s where we live… Tacoma, Washington! When Evan moved here, I had NO idea how much I would fall in love with this city that would later become my home too. The beaches, the parks, the food, the small businesses and just the community… this city has SO much to offer. So today we’re diving into some of my favorite places to hang out in our city.

Neighborhoods

Something I love about Tacoma is there are so many great neighborhoods within the city that all have different vibes. This, by all means, is not all of them but here are a few we spend a lot of time exploring.

Proctor

This is probably my favorite in the city. Proctor is such a cute neighborhood with gorgeous homes and a really cute downtown area with some of my favorite restaurants and shops — including Compass Rose, The Fernseed, Lapis, Waffle Stop and more! I also love their Farmers Market that takes place on Saturdays and has my FAVORITE scones from Upper Crust!

Stadium District

This was our old neighborhood and I love walking up and down the streets checking out the historic and victorian style homes. There are great food and bar options in the neighborhood and it also overlooks beautiful views of the water! We spent a lot of time at Shake Shake Shake, Indo Asian Street Eatery, and the Rhein Haus.

Downtown

Back when meeting up with friends was a thing (I miss you pre-COVID life), downtown was one of our spots we’d go. Pacific Avenue is a great place to grab a bite to eat and bar hop. A few blocks up, Antique Row is another cool spot to check out. Downtown is also where a lot of the museums and theatres are located!

6th Avenue

This is another hot spot for going out. 6th Ave kind of gives me vibes of my old neighborhood in Portland which I also really loved, so it’s no surprise I love this area! There are a ton of great bars and restaurants and it’s impossible to go wrong down there!

Dome District

The Tacoma Dome is known for hosting concerts and large events, but its neighborhood is also filled with unique things to do too — including shopping at Freighthouse Square (be sure to check out Adorned Abode!), the LeMay Car Museum, Tacoma Glassblowing Studio and more!

Favorite Beaches & Parks

I didn’t think I was a beach person until I moved to Tacoma. Obviously our beaches are a little different in Washington than other places but that’s why I love them! I can’t get enough of the rocky shores filled with driftwood and the regular seal spottings.

Owen Beach

I can’t tell you how much time I’ve spent walking the waterfront at Owen Beach, I love it down there! It’s definitely one of my happy places. It’s so relaxing walking along the water and watching the seals swim around. It’s one of the more popular options so it can get busy during the summer but it’s a great option to visit year-round.

Point Defiance

We are so lucky to have a park like Point Defiance in Tacoma. It’s HUGE and there are so many different places to visit there — a little something for everyone. It’s actually where Owen beach is too. I love spending time in the flower gardens when they bloom, walking one of the many trails, visiting the Point Defiance Zoo, Owen Beach, Fort Nisqually, and taking in the views on the 5-mile drive!

Chambers Bay

Since we bought our townhouse, I’ve been spending more time at Chambers Bay, which is technically in University Place, but I group them together because they’re so close. This park is huge since it also has a golf course and I love walking on the rocky beaches or walking around on the walking trail.

Ruston Way

Another super popular option (especially in the summer) is Ruston Way. I love walking along the water down there and it hands down has the best views with Mt. Rainier peeking out in the background. At the end of Ruston Way there’s also a ton of development going up full of restaurants, shops and their own market.

Titlow Beach

We are SO spoiled with so many beach options! Titlow Beach is another great one to visit (and yes, that’s really its name). This one is on the other side of Tacoma near the Narrows and it has ample rocky beaches to enjoy. It’s also a go-to for kayaking for us.

Food

The food scene is hopping in Tacoma and there are still so many places we haven’t even tried yet! These are the spots that are on our tried and true rotate list though!

Shake Shake Shake

We used to live across the street from Shake Shake Shake and it was dangerous.. in the best kind of way! You cannot go wrong with any of their burgers, hot dogs or their delicious shakes. SO. DANG. GOOD!

Dirty Oscar’s Annex

If you’re looking for a bomb brunch or lunch Dirty Oscar’s Annex is the place to go. When you walk in, it has casual bar vibes but their food is Ah-mazingggg. You can’t go wrong with anything you order there.

Happy Belly

For delicious and healthy bites you need to make a stop at Happy Belly! Their menu is vegetarian focused plus they offer an amazing juice bar. Literally the besttt spot for a tasty lunch, juice or smoothie!

Pomodoro

Pomodoro is the perfect date spot in the adorable neighborhood of Proctor that serves up seriously delicious Italian. There’s a reason it was voted Tacoma’s Best Italian by the readers of Tacoma Weekly!

Cactus

We’re obsessed with the queso and margaritas at Cactus! SO dang delicious. There are other locations than just in Tacoma but we’re so glad they’re here now too!

Waffle Stop

If you ask me to go to brunch in Tacoma I’m probably going to take you to Waffle Stop. Because hello… waffles! These aren’t just any ordinary waffles either, they’ve gotten really clever with some of their menu items including one of my favorites, the messy but oh so delicious monte carlo sandwich.

Art House Cafe

Another great brunch spot is Art House Cafe in the Stadium District! It has cozy vibes and I love that the menu is built around local and in-season options. Everything is just always very fresh tasting.

Katie Downs

If my mom is visiting, you’re probably going to find us at Katie Downs! It’s one of our favorite places to go to Happy Hour and enjoy gorgeous views on the water. We usually order a bunch of their appetizers but they’re also well-known for their pizzas.

La Cà Bar

Pho! Something I didn’t realize was missing from my life until I moved back to the PNW was pho and I’m obsessed these days. My personal favorite is La Cà Bar off of 6th Avenue and let’s just say we’re regulars in the fall and winter!

Ice Cream Social

If you’re looking for some sweetness in your life, Ice Cream Social is the spot! They have two locations in Tacoma and you cannot beat their all-natural, homemade, local ice cream! They rotate flavors each month and my mouth is watering just thinking about them. My favorite that got added to the everyday menu is their Almond Poppyseed. Holy YUM!

Bars & Breweries

We also have a ton of unique bars to go to throughout the city, which makes going out so much more fun! Some of these are temporarily closed right now because of COVID but save this for later so you can check them out and support them when they’re back!

Triple Knock

Pinball bar, need I say more? I’m convinced there’s nothing more fun than enjoying a brew while playing pinball and Triple Knock delivers! If I’m being honest, I’m not even very good at pinball but it’s still fun nonetheless!

McMenamins Elk Temple

If you read my Olympia travel guide you know I loveeee me a McMenamins and the Elk Temple takes the cake for my favorite! It’s HUGE! It’s 7 floors and there are a variety of restaurants and bars, a tasting room, hotel, concert venue and even a hidden bar. It’s bomb and you could spend a whole evening exploring different areas.

The Red Hot

Craft beer and hot dogs FTW! The Red Hot is the spot to enjoy some quality beer or ciders and also get adventurous with their hot dog creations!

Rhein Haus

If you’re in the mood for German beer, grub and some bocce ball or miniature golf, Rhein Haus is the spot. Yes, they really have all of that inside! It’s a great spot to watch sports in the fall or enjoy some time by their fireplaces in the winter too!

The Camp Bar

If you love camping, or are just looking for an awesome local dive bar, The Camp Bar is where you need to go! Their decor is filled with fun camping vibes, they have bomb food and you can even order tableside s’mores!

7 Seas Brewery and Taproom

If I had to pick my favorite place to go out with friends, this is it! 7 Seas Brewery is the best! It’s located in Hilltop in a huge warehouse building and I just love the vibes. Plus their beer is BOMB, we love to do the tastings although the IPA is my all-time fav. 3uilt Tacoma is also located there and they have amazing sandwiches!

Locust Cider

If ciders are more your thing (I also love them) you’ll definitely want to check out Locust Cider. It’s located on 6th Avenue and is such a fun spot where you can have tasting and play board games. I’m all about the tasting and checking out their rotating ciders too!

Parkway Tavern

Last but definitely not least, Parkway Tavern is another one of our go-tos — especially when we lived in the Stadium District. It’s a great chill bar that has a ton of brews on tap and they also have games in the back! Can you tell, I like having things to do when we go out? Highly recommend!

There are so many awesome things to do on a visit to Tacoma, these recommendations don’t only touch the surface! This should give you a good starting point though. Have other favs? Drop them in the comments!

P.S. Want to keep up with my adventures around Tacoma and the PNW? Follow along on Instagram!