Fresh Shellfish from the Source

You’ve heard it before – those dang months with the “r.” Well, technically local oyster farmers don’t agree, bivalves have a much longer season, Some of the best shucks are in May – but there is something to be said for a fall or spring oyster over a “peak of the summer” one. That’s why March and April are the perfect time to follow the shellfish trail and visit local farms that grow the food you love.

In Search of Perfection

Want to meet the farmers that wake up on the night tides to bring you the perfect oyster, clam or geoduck? Check out these farms on and around Hood Canal!

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Capital Oysters & Seattle Shellfish

South Puget Sound | capitaloyster.com

5th generation oyster farmer, Tom Bloomfield, tide tumbles Capital oysters that are suspended off the ground. The growing process results in a smooth, super deep shell as each oyster captures the essence of the beautiful ocean waters, free of sand and zero muddy tastes.

Chelsea Farms & Olympia Oyster Bar

Chelsea Farms | photo:poppi photography

Eld & Totten Inlet
Chelsea Farms is a current working model of environmental sustainability. They have made a priority of farming the Olympia Oyster, a native oyster to Olympia, that was on it’s way to extinction. Specialties include their Chelsea Gem, Bonita, and Olympia Oysters, along with fresh clams and geoduck. Visit their Oyster bar in downtown Olympia to get the ultimate local seafood experience!

Let’s Go:

CHELSEA FARMS OYSTER BAR
222 CAPITOL WAY N, OLYMPIA, WA 98501
Phone: (360) 915-7784
Hours: TUES-FRI 11AM-9PM, SAT 10AM - 10PM | SUN 10AM - 9PM
menu

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The Fjord Oyster Bank

Sea Nymph Oysters

Hoodsport & Hammersley | southsoundoysters.com

24341 N Hwy 101 Hoodsport | (360) 877-2102

For the last decade and a half the Hansen family has been raising oysters and clams on South Puget Sound's nutrient rich waterway, Hammersley Inlet. Through a tumble bag and a bag to beach process these oysters have distinct merrior as well as shape profiles resulting from their growth process despite being in the geographic. The tumble bag Hemingways have a sweet cucumber finish while the beach finished Sea Nymphs have a kelpy taste. Hemingway Sweets roll in deeper water and have a deep cup, sweet flavor and a full-body crunch. Hemingways (coined from Ernest Heminway's famous oyster quote) as well as Sea Nymphs, are available for raw and grilled preparation at their Hoodsport café and Oyster Bar, Fjord Oyster Bank.

Let’s Go:

Fjord Oyster Bank Oyster Bar
24341 N Hwy 101, Hoodsport
Phone: (360) 877-2102
Hours: THUR-SAT 10 AM-8PM, SUN10AM - 6PM | Closed MON-WED
menu

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Hama Hama Oyster Farm

Lilliwaup, Hood Canal
A few years ago the Hama Hama Oyster Co opened their Oyster Saloon in Liliwaup. This high energy destination serves oysters pulled from the last tide and prepared to order with an ever changing menu of seasonal local ingredients. In their retail shop you can purchase a variety of their Hood Canal product including salmon and oysters smoked on site. Hama Hama is a 5th generation family run farm with a reputation for quality and environmental mindfulness.

Let’s Go:

HAMA HAMA OYSTER CO
35846 US-101, Lilliwaup, WA 98555
PHONE: (360) 877-5811
Spring Hours: Farm Store Daily 9:30 to 5:30
Oyster Saloon Check website for details
Shellfish is available in their retail store, Saloon and at parent restaurants throughout the Northwest. Product also available online and shipped directly to your home.

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Olympic Oyster Co. & Mike’s Beach Resort

Eldon, Hood Canal
Third-generation farmers, Matthew and Sara are serious about producing some award winning oysters on site for market and available at restaurants as far away as New York. Guests staying on the active farm aka Mike’s Beach Resort have first dibs on some of the freshest oysters on the fjord!  

Let’s Go:

Mike’s Beach Resort
38470 N US Highway 101, Lilliwaup, WA 98555
Phone (360) 877-5324
Waterfront cabins and rooms, with view of the canal.

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Taylor Shellfish

South Puget Sound and British Columbia
Stop in at Taylor Shellfish’s headquarters and visit their market near Shelton. Taylor’s specialties include the famed Kumamoto (sweet fruity flavor) and the Virginica (Crisp, briny, and buttery). The company has been farming oysters on Puget Sound since the 1890’s when great-grandfather Justin Taylor began farming Olympias. Five generations later, the company’s product line includes worldwide export of geoduck, clams, and mussels along with oysters.

Let’s Go:

TAYLOR SHELLFISH RETAIL STORE
130 SE Lynch RD Shelton WA, 98584 
PHONE: (360) 432-3300
Hours: Open for Monday - Sunday: 10am - 6:00pm; Closed all major holidays
Shellfish is also available at one of their many locations throughout NW Washington. Product also available online and shipped directly to your home.

Loblolly Lavender Farm: A Peaceful Bloom in Shelton, Washington

Experience the sights, scents, and serenity of Loblolly Lavender Farm—a hidden gem in Shelton, Washington. With over 2,000 vibrant lavender plants, handmade products, and a charming on-site shop, this locally grown family farm is the perfect escape.

In this video, Keith and Tracy Cook share the story behind Loblolly—from planting the first rows to welcoming over 1,000 guests at their first festival. Learn about the different lavender varieties, their calming and healing benefits, and how you can pick your own bouquet, sip lavender tea, and browse small-batch skincare and syrups all summer long.

Five Northwest Books to Read While the Rain Falls

The weather on Hood canal is ever changing and unpredictable. Sometimes it offers the perfect excuse to take a break from dodging rain soaked branches and curl up with a great book. Snuggling downunder a mountain of blankets with a hot drink and a snoring dog sounds like unabashed bliss for the bookworms among us.

While Netflix may dominate others’ rainy afternoons, we dare you to rebel with good old-fashioned literature. We pared our favorite Northwestern fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and kid’s books down to five of our favorites.  There's lots of choices and chances for good book conversation and recommendation at the local branches of the Timberland Regional Library in Shelton, Hoodsport and Belfair.

1. The Mushroom Hunters: On the Trail of an Underground America by Langdon Cook 

As with most of the delicious and sought-after delicacies the world has to offer, decadent morels, luxurious truffles, and other elusive mushroom treasures are hidden away in hard-to-access places. Seattle author Langdon Cook juxtaposes the high-class, refined people to whom these mushrooms are presented with the rugged denizens who forage for them in the Northwest’s most inaccessible woods. Seized by Gold Rush-like desires, this rough and territorial lot hauls hoards of edible fungi from the misty hills. As much a culinary history lesson as it is a compelling and character-driven narrative, The Mushroom Hunters is a must-read for someone as enchanted by adventure as by the world of fine dining.

This book is available for download and audio book Grab a library card and click here.

2. Sometimes a Great Notion by Ken Kesey

Although Kesey may be better known for his Jack Nicholson-endorsed One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, his epic Sometimes a Great Notion is arguably the quintessential Northwest novel. Many claim that it’s one of the greatest American literary works of all time, period. Its setting is a fictional costal city in Oregon at the confluence of the also-fictional Wakonda Auga River. The parallels between this old waterlogged logging town and historical Hood Canal are stark. The gravity with which Kesey is able to illustrate man vs. land in this masterpiece is powerful for a reader curled up with a Northwest winter gale at her window. It is an experience that sticks with the reader long after the book is returned to the shelf.

This book is available for download and audio book as well! Grab a library card and click here.

3. Long Journey: Contemporary Northwest Poets by David Biespiel

In his eloquent introduction, editor David Biespiel writes, “A Northwest poet’s impact on our sense of how we see the Northwest may be greater than the Northwest’s impact on the poet.” As such, poets included in this anthology were born in the Northwest…and elsewhere. Likewise, their poetry revolves around images of recognizable Northwestern iconography…or not.

This collection evades reduction to a single concrete theme, but the Northwest lives and breathes within these pages. They grasp at and, in a quirky way, get ahold of what we see and feel while we’re here. Let the 80 poets in this masterpiece impact how you see our Northwest.

This book is available through the Timberland Library System. Click here to order

4. The Far Corner: Northwestern Views on Land, Life, and Literature by John Daniel

John Daniel blurs the lines between natural, literary, spiritual, and human history—to the reader’s delight. As much of a personal memoir as it is a meditation on the relation between man and nature, these 18 wide-ranging essays attempts to capture the Northwest’s character as a whole.

Both lyrical and informational, this collection entices those who are eager to learn, and those who are eager to be entertained. A winner of the Oregon Book Award, this work belongs on the shelf of everyone who has stepped foot in Hood Canal.

5. Where Would I Be In An Evergreen Tree? By Jennifer Blomgren

A story to delight the little ones, this work by Northwesterner Jennifer Blomgren follows the lifecycle of an evergreen tree. Her smooth verse is gently informative, while Andrea Gabriel’s pastel images in soft greens, quiet blues, and warm browns illustrate the host of animals that inhabit these northwestern deciduous behemoths.

Blomgren’s other works, like Where Do I Sleep? and Why Do I Sing? are equally as educational and comforting for kids adventuring through Hood Canal. This is one to keep in the car on your next road trip.

For more suggestions and ideas to enhance your experience in Hood Canal, keep up with us on Facebook, and Instagram. Share photos of your bookworm selves with us—we love to feature photos! Tag your social media with #wildsideWA. Cheers to the page-turners!

A winter roadtrip with just the right mix of nature and holiday

We are all looking for something different to do with our cooped up familes this year. We have received so many calls lately regarding the perfect local roadtrip – a mix of natural sites to renew the spirit along with a dash of holiday cheer to lift the spirits.

Here’s our top picks for a safe and fun day exploring Hood Canal.

Let’s get started

We begin our Hood Canal Loop in Quilcene but you can join us anywhere along the way – whatever suits your travel direction.

1. Lunch in Quilcene, WA

Quilcene is a small town with a load of community spirit. Here you can pick up some great take out from a local restaurant or explore some of the quaint shops. Our favorites are the Quilcene Village Store and Fiber and Clay. Also high on our list is a drive by the Worthington Park Manor.

Gas, food, liquor, housewares, tea, coffee, snacks, locally baked goods, wonderful gifts, chocolates, gourmet treats and unique handmade locally sourced items.

Quilcene Village Store, Hwy 101

Heading south on Hwy 101 you will climb into the chance of roadside snow as you pass by the Mt. Walker outlook. The road up the mountain is closed right now for winter conditions, but many choose to park and hike to the summit.

On a clear day you can see all the peaks including Rainier, Baker and Seattle’s skyline. Our family loves to drive up in the Spring and see the wild rhododendrons along the journey.

Rocky Brook Falls | From Brinnon at Milepost 306 on US 101, drive west on the Dosewallips Road for 3 miles to parking in turnout on your left just after bridge over Rocky Brook

2. Brinnon for the Road side Waterfall Stop

One of the tallest waterfalls on the Peninsula, Rocky Brook Falls is also among the prettiest. Follow the trail past a small hydroelectric generating building and come to the base of the stunning towering falls fanning over ledges into a large splash pool surrounded by boulders. This classic horsetail waterfall crashes more than 200 feet from a small hanging valley above. More information here

3. Not quite Reindeer, but pretty darn close

Just past Brinnon, and sometimes in the town of Brinnon itself you see the “reindeer” of Olympic Peninsula. Pass over the Dosewallips River, keep your eyes peeled for the herd of Roosevelt Elk that hang in this area.

Swing into the Dosewallips Campground as they are often resting in the grassy areas here.

4. Hama Hama Oysters and Views

A visit to Lilliwaup would not be complete without a stop in at Hama Hama Oyster Co. We love how the Hama Team has completely pivoted operations to be safe and still loads of fun and great memories.

For the Saloon dining area they have created wooden a-frames over each distanced tables. Each with great views of the beach and access to the fire pits. Rain or shine, these cozy little pods make the perfect spot to wile away an hour soaking in the view. Enjoy grilled oysters or their famous crab cakes. The clams aren’t half bad either.

Shopping? Each day they set up the shop outside market style. You will find tons of unique gifts here.

5. Hoodsport Coffee and & Shopping

We love Hoodsport. This adorable seaside town is tiny on size but big on character.

You can easily lose an hour wandering the shops here. Pull over, grab a coffee at Hoodsport Coffee, they also serve sandwiches and homemade soups, and start wandering the “boardwalk.”

Visit the Sunshine Creations Gallery where local artists display their unique creations in a beautiful setting.

Head over to the Hardware Distillery. The moment you walk through the door to soak in the rich aromas — you know you have come to “the place.“ The holiday decorations are up and the shop is COVID ready for customers. In the shops there are gnomes and tree shaped bottles. At the Distillery, cocktail kits are available for your one-stop shopping.

Pay a visit to the Stottle Winery Tasting Room, they are currently open Fri – Sun 11 AM – 5 PM. Finish up with a wander around Octopus Garden. This cute little shop run by husband and wife team, Tim and Lucy, sells customized jewelry and watercolor paintings and other decorative items. I love their marine inspired hand made silver earrings and pendants. One of a kind and reasonably priced.

We love the Hardware Distillery Cocktail kits — what a great gift! Between $45- $65, these kits are all you need too satisfy the spirit lovers on your list!

Just after Hoodsport is one of our favorite waterfront lodgings on the north side of Hood Canal. Glen Ayr Resort is located between Potlatch and Hoodsport and features a marina and fantastic views of Hood Canal from decks, cottages, and guest rooms. Enjoy diving, boating, fishing, and shellfish gathering right in the front yard! Facilities include a swim spa hot tub, a game room with a pool table, and a recreation lodge. Rates are reasonable the the resort facility is very clean.

6. High Steel Bridge for spectacular views

If you have time, take a detour to explore the historic High Steel Bridge that spans the gorge and sits a staggering 300’ above the mighty South Fork of the Skokomish River.

The vertigo-inducing High Steel Bridge has an uncontested view of the last cascade on the itinerary, Vincent Creek Falls, and is easily accessed from Hwy 101. It’s also a quick pit stop after an awesome wintery afternoon of mountain biking if you happen to visit the area on a dry-ish day.

7. Spectacular Olympic Views and Quaint Shops

Originally settled in 1893 with the construction of a hotel, wharf, sawmill, and store, the area was heralded as the ultimate destination for wealthy families in the Northwest. Centered around many resorts rooted in the natural beauty of the site, the establishment of a rich artistic heritage followed in the 1920's. Union holds the title of the first non-native artist colony in Washington state. Inspired by the amazing views, artists of all kinds flock to what is truly a beautiful town.

Stop in a the Union City Market. This adorable beach shop has everything you could possibly need to make a sumptuous gourmet gift. Every item is carefully curated - from the handmade beach glass decor to the full size wall paintings. On weekends their glorious waterfront pop-up cafe is open on the marina’s waterfront. The bites are delicious and the views are divine!

Nearby Cameo Boutique & Wine Shop has a unique and inspired selection of fun gifts for your mother, sister, best friend, – and, if all else fails – check out their great selection of wine!

Waterfront Union City Market make a great Hood Canal Destination and “picture” spot with the backdrop of the Olympics.

Nearby Alderbrook Resort and Spa, one of the premier resorts in Washington State, is located on Hood Canal in Union. During the holidays, guests with reservations (closed to non-resort guests) enjoy holiday traditions with Santa and special events at the decorated resort. Make reservations today to enjoy your traditional, but non-traditional, event with Alderbrook!

8. Soak in the Spirit in Christmastown

Shelton is typically branded as a logging community. Railroad Avenue was built wide to accommodate logging trucks going down to the mill, but trees weren’t just cut to make into boards or pulp, Shelton was also known as “Christmastown, USA – the Christmas Tree Capital of America.” This year the town upped the spirit with live garland and cafe lights across the major intersections on Railroad Avenue.

Charlie Brown trees on the corners

Check out the quirky Douglas Firs on the corners. These little trees were donated by local logging companies (they were scheduled to be cut later in the spring in a natural thinning/harvest process). In the last week locals have begun decorating them. They are also free for the taking for families that can’t afford a tree this year.

Christmas has always been important to the timber town of Shelton. Located less than ten miles from Hood Canal on Hammersley Inlet, Shelton is serious about their Christmas tree roots. In 1962, to celebrate the Seattle World Fair, the town commissioned the retired Simpson Lumber shop artist, Clarence Beauchamp to build a three story Santa Claus to wave at visitors all year long.

32’ Santa Claus in Shelton | Jennifer Rutledge Photp

In 2019 the giant Santa was given a seasonal permanent location in the City of Shelton Outlook Park on Hwy #3 at the entrance to town. Thanksgiving through December, be sure to pull over in the outlook and get your family portrait. Free and COVID safe Santa photos!

Before the lights go on check out the quaint shops that line Railroad Avenue in the center of town but don’t miss the outlying treasures on Olympic Hwy (new town) or near Mason & Limerick. There is lots of opportunity to support small shop owners here. Check out the full gift list here.

9. This town is A-MAZE-ing

Last December Shelton took the Hallmark Channel head on. Shelton and Mason County celebrated their Christmastown distinction with an attempt at the Guinness World Record for “Most Lit Christmas Trees” in one location. The previous record was set by Hallmark in 2015 was 559 trees.

Trees were donated and countless community members cut, carried, stood, and strung lights on over 800 trees.

The record was recorded in July of 2020 with 797 qualified lit trees!

The town has rebuilt a Guinness Record Tribute maze this year for families to explore. With over 400 trees, this maze is available to explore for free. Located at 234 1st Street it is open each evening on a timer for families to visit through December 31.

Weekends through December 20 (Thursday through Sunday, 4PM - 8 PM) head over to the maze to enjoy marshmallow roasting (free), as well as crafting activities. Crafts are pre-packaged for safe distribution. Event has limited attendance due to COVID physical distancing.but no reservations are necessary to attend.

Curious about what else is going on in Christmastown? Check out the 797+ reasons to check it out!

10. See the Lighted Boat Parade

The 2020 Shelton Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade will be held December 18 & 19. Boats will leave the marina at 6:30 PM (weather permitting) and travel down Hammersley Inlet. All boaters are welcome to join in the parade regardless if you're a yacht club member or not. The boat parade can be viewed from the club parking lot, Church Point and Walker Park. Check the yacht club website for additional viewing options.

For more information on holiday happenings in Christmastown, visit christmastownwa.org

The Mountains are calling... ANSWER!

A weekend warrior is a 21st century beast whose population seems to be exponentially growing. As the “rolley chair blues” epidemic proliferates across the Pacific Northwest, so does the drive to combat it with an epic 48-hour adventure.

Here’s to those who burn the midnight oil finishing up reports and rise with the birds to knock presentations out of the park. This one’s for those who are at the gym until it closes so that their lungs are ready to be filled with alpine air come Saturday morning.

For those that simply cannot wait to escape Seattle’s concrete jungle when the clock hits 5 on a Friday, we have good news: Hood Canal is waiting for you in your backyard.

How to Get to Union, Washington

The Bremerton Ferry sets sail from Pioneer Square in the heart of Seattle over 15 times a day. As it scoots around Bainbridge Island, the impressive Olympic Mountains rise ever higher off of the water as your weekend playground draws ever nearer.

A short 45 minutes from the Bremerton Ferry Terminal lands you at Alderbrook Resort & Spa. But you’re a weekend warrior—you’ll take the extra half-hour trip to Lake Cushman. Or possibly even forge on a bit further in order to get in the thick of it with a visit to Staircase in Olympic National Park.

How to Make the Most of it

Breathe in, breathe out. You made it. Waking up underneath behemoth, moss-covered, primordial-looking trees and a tangle of lacy moss is what makes it all worthwhile. And you’ve got two whole diems to carpe!

Access to the Olympic National Park is second-to-none from Staircase Campground and it just so happens that some of our favorite biking trails are just down the road. The Lower South Fork Skokomish Trail #873 is bar-none one of the best trails around.

If a two-wheeled ride is not your pick of weekend poisons, Mt. Ellinor is a short drive away. An intrepid 6 miles of trail give way to breathtaking 360 degree summit views. And, as one of the more notable peaks in the area, bagging this peak will earn some serious bragging rights.

There is a wealth of adventure waiting around every twist of trail in Hood Canal. For more ideas, check out our extensive To-Do list.

How to Celebrate in Shelton, Washington

During a weekend away, we think just about anything is cheers-worthy. The good news? There’s no lack of handcrafted libations in Hood Canal. If you’re a gin or whiskey drinker, The Hardware Distillery crafts some of the best spirits in the Northwest. Their tasting room is open from 11am to 6pm Friday through Sunday.

If you find yourself drawn to a glass of wine made with locally sourced grapes as an after-adventure drink, Walter Dacon Wines in Shelton makes some of the best wine in the area and is dedicated to Rhone and Mediterranean styles. Their tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from noon until 6pm.

As weekend warriors ourselves, we revere those who rise early on Saturday and Sunday to take advantage of the precious weekend freedom. We’d love to see what you get into in our neck of the woods; tag your photos on social media with #wildsideWA, and be sure to find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more.