Friday, July 26, 2013

Summer Road Trip 2013: Electric Boat Company, Shopping and Spa

This morning’s fog dawned thick and creamy, with little visibility. However, I had yet another plan. I had booked a boat ride (yes, I know, I don’t like boats generally but desperation had set in) with The Electric Boat company as the folks on trip advisor said it was the number 2 thing to do in Ocean Shores. Plus, it has the advantage of being a mere 4 miles down the road. So, after breakfast, we set off and met with Tom. He was lovely, if a bit forgetful, but he showed us the map of the canal system, explained Duck Lake, kitted us up with life jackets and gave us a brief safety lesson before letting us loose by ourselves with his boat. Crazy. Top that off, with the sun breaking through while we puttered down the Grand Canal and I was grinning ear to ear.

The canal was calm, lush and green. The boat was enclosed like a wee ferry with flaps that you could raise up if you so chose. Somehow, that made riding in the boat very tranquil. We saw the beautiful houses, lots for sale, deer, racoon and birds of all sorts. That hour and a half was well worth the pennies shelled out and the kids got a different viewpoint as well.

Since we were already close to the south end, we opted to go to the jetty to enjoy this rare thing called sunshine. The sand was warm on the feet and the wind brisk. We climbed the rocks to watch the pelicans, seals and what may have been either whales or dolphins. The kids liked to clamber the rocks and driftwood to make forts. However, lunch was calling.

The afternoon was spent exploring the shops. I was rather miffed to find a ceramics place at 4:00 today, too late to do anything with that information. I found some nifty gifts and then wandered over to the biker booths. Little did I know that when I booked this trip, I had booked it for the Sun and Surf event…aka HOG WILD. Harley bikes are everywhere. Tattoo parlours are set up and the casino is raffling off a Harley too. Everywhere you look, there is a bike. Things apparently kick off tomorrow, so we have decided to head north tomorrow. Outlet shopping will be a lot more fun!

In the meantime, I took advantage of having extra adult hands and took myself off to the Quinault Spa for a very relaxing massage and special. I have no idea what they did but it involved mud, brushing and warm cloths. The massage came at the end. My skin feels amazing and their set up is lovely. I would totally recommend this place. It is pricier though. Anyway, the next blog is from the road or at home, depending. Currently, I must battle the luggage with teeth. Again.
The wee boat
Electric Boat company
On the canal
Birds in the rushes...except I missed
Raccoons
Fishing
Houses
Bouy markers
Duck Lake
Along the canal

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