Now that we have some day trips under our belt, let's talk about some "mini-vacations" you can take on a long  weekend or plan to enjoy for several days in the Great State of Washington. It's God's Country, you know! I had that affirmed to me while filling up at a gas station in Southern California. This woman kept staring at me and finally came up to me and pointed to my license plate. She asked if I was from Washington, I said yes I was and no sooner did I say those words did she blurt out, "That's God's Country". Her plates were California plates - I can tell you she put a smile on my face and a tear to my eye! So explore, after all you're here on the Navy's dime!! 

Tri-Cities | Kennewick, Pasco and Richland

The Heart of Washington Wine Country where you can sip, sample and enjoy the beauty of natures gift.  You can choose to explore 150 wineries, or spend the day golfing in the sun, riding bikes on the trails, hiking in the hills or take your kayak on the Columbia. 

You might want to explore nature by bird watching at the McNary National Wildlife Refuge or explore the Hanford Reach. Spend a sunny summer weekend on the river banks watching the hydro races. The weather is usually dry and hot during the summer so make sure to bring your SPF.  If you play softball you will end up in the Tri-Cities for some type of tournament.

Leavenworth | Bavarian Village

Leavenworth is a Bavarian style town with authentic German architecture, located in a dramatic alpine like setting with awesome old time hospitality.  You will find a variety of resort activities here during any of the four seasons.  I enjoy Leavenworth the most during the Christmas Holidays. 

You can find that "White Christmas" feeling here when you visit for the tree lighting or decide to come for the sledding.  You can ride in a horse drawn sleigh through the snow sipping hot chocolate or you can rent a snowmobile and ride the groomed trails. 

Accommodations are plenty and run from the rustic type cabin to the cozy bed and breakfasts or you can stay at one of the many hotels. I love walking around down at dusk with the lights on looking in all of the quaint little shops. There are several authentic German type restaurants if you enjoy that type of food.

Grant County | Moses Lake, Ephrata, Grand Coulee, Soap Lake and George

This area of Washington State will be the closest you get to a desert type area.  With 10 wineries, 14 golf courses, 144 lakes, the Grand Coulee Dam (8^th Wonder of the World / largest concrete structure in North America) and the beautiful outdoor Gorge Amphitheatre, there is always something to do in Grant County! 

I spent 11 years in Moses Lake and really enjoyed being able to water ski right out my backdoor! I learned to knee-board, water ski and cliff dive.  My boys were born in Moses Lake so I have a special place for the small town that is now a huge tourist area. 

During the summer you might be able to catch a Dave Matthew's Band concert at the Gorge which is an outdoor amphitheater.  In Grant County you can find amazing fishing - whether it be winter or summer.  You can plan a camping trip to the sand dunes as long as it isn't Memorial Day weekend - that place is too crazy for me on that holiday!! You can ATV, fish and enjoy the hot summer sun. Be sure to bring your SPF when you visit Central Washington!!

Ocean Shores | The Ocean is Calling

I love this beach! I have spent time in Rhode Island (the beach state) and Southern California where you can swim and surf in the water, but for some reason I love the beach at Ocean Shores the best. There are six miles of public sand beach with five beach approach access roads so it is easy to get to even when there are tons of people.  The sound of the pounding waves is really something to experience here.  There is that "roar". 

This is not the surf you come to swim or board in; this surf is just too cold and dangerous with the riptides.  But you can jump some waves as they come in to catch your feet, you can do some fun wading while you search for that special sand dollar or starfish. 

I love to spend time flying my kite or digging razor clams at midnight with a lantern and flashlight. On one outing I was able to watch the most amazing meteor shower while lying on a blanket on the sand staring up in the sky. Ocean Shores is the typical tourist beach town with quaint shops and eateries. Be sure to buy some saltwater taffy!  You can rent bikes, go bowling or have some fun at the go-kart track. Always a fun getaway for either the weekend or a full week. 

Hope you have enjoyed the Naval Base Kitsap Online Relocation Series, this will be the last article prior to my "wrap up" .  If you have missed any articles you can check out the article that introduced the Naval Base Kitsap Online Relocation Package by clicking on this link Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT'S YOUR PCS  which is updated after every new article.

HAVE A FINE NAVY DAY!!

If you have any questions about real estate in Bremerton Washington, contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

Click here for my ONLINE RELOCATION PACKAGE, but make sure to click here to register for the mailed out RELOCATION PACKAGE ,  which includes the Washington State Visitor's Guide (143 pages of information including maps), the 2007-2008 Seattle Visitor's Guide (113 pages), several other brochures and maps of the area. This RELOCATION PACKAGE is jam packed with over 2lbs of outstanding material! Free to you just for the asking!