High Camp Flask is a Thermos Flask with 2 Magnetic Tumblers
Living in Washington State we get some fantastic snow in our ski resorts in the Cascade Mountain Range. There are several resorts, but the one I have been to most often is Mt. Baker.
I went to college in Bellingham, Wa and Mount Baker was not a far drive. With snowboards in tow and friends from school we spent much time on the mountain. What made the trip more bearable on cold, winter days was a thermos flask and some Amaretto and Port. That sounds a bit off to me in my older days now, but being young and on a cold mountain that combination warms you from the inside out. No one ever really overdid it by drinking this. We would all just put a bit in our flask and take a drink on the lift chair when we needed to warm up.
Having a flask when hiking, skiing or working in the cold can be the difference from calling it a day or stopping only to warm up and keep going. Maybe you are more of a hot cocoa or coffee drinker, but no matter what beverage you take along this High Camp Firelight Flask keeps liquids hot or cold for up to 24 hours!
The Firelight Flask holds 750ml, the perfect size for an entire bottle of spirit or wine. The magnetic tumblers and flask are forged from BPA- and phthalate-free 18/8 stainless steel.They are built like your favorite bar glass with 6-Shooter designed grooves for a no-slip grip!
One of our favorite weekend getaways is a drive to the Oregon coast from western Washington. Seaside is always our destination because it is the perfect family and pet-friendly spot to stay. When I say pet-friendly, I mean that many shops have no problem with your dog wandering inside on a leash. There is plenty of places to stay and eat all within walking distance. in the small, yet plentiful town.
We have found that when we go, there are things we never miss doing or seeing and I will share them with you.
Book the room with a view
Every time we have stayed, we ask for the room with a view and this can be anywhere from $0-$30 extra a night. The extra will be worth it! There are a few hotels off the water strip, but plenty along it. This past trip we stayed at the Hi Tide Oceanfront Inn. It was a great price because it is an older Inn, but very clean and kept up very well.
We had the dogs and were given a ground level room with a balcony looking out to the ocean. It is winter and it was stormy so the views were spectacular of the high waves. The only obstacle between the room and the ocean was a walking trail. The boys swam their hearts out and it was great they keep there pool open until 11pm. From 6-8 they had fresh cookies in the lobby and the free breakfast was very plentiful. I will definitely stay here again.
Bring the dogs!
Why? Because everyone does. Seaside is a dog’s paradise. The beach is full of furry friends, the walking trail has more leashed friends and plenty of poop bag stations and trash cans. Broadway St. is the main shopping avenue and the stores will have dog invite signs if they are allowed in. Most allow them except food and ice cream shops and the odd tiny store where space is a factor.
Take the kids to Funland
Once the kids see this gigantic space, they won’t let you pass it up. Funland is almost a block long and connected to Fultano’s Pizza which is delicious, this arcade is packed almost any time of the year.
If you happen to spend New Years or other special weekends in Seaside, Funland will close and offer a cover charge admission (usually $15 a kid) and they get a DJ, raffles and contests as they play all night. Playing at the arcade then dinner a hotel swim and you will have a quiet evening enjoying the view as the kids crash!
Eat at Dundees on Broadway
We always make a stop at Dundees Bar and Restaurant. This family-friendly restaurant has great beers on tap (and you are walking back to your room so no big deal). The food is fantastic and great portions. They offer a small salad bar too to add to dinner. If you are unsure what to order, their pizzas and fantastic. The crust is thin and crunchy and so delicious!
Stop by the swings
As minor as it sounds, my son (and other children around) gravitate to the swings placed down the beach in 2-3 spots. There was a set on the sand in front of our hotel and another set in front of Broadway in the sand and I believe there is a third set further down.
Stop at the candy store when they get tired of walking and take a break on the swings because you have been so busy you almost forgot to do nothing but look at the waves.
Visit in the winter
All the beaches along the Washington and Oregon coast are gorgeous in the summer. They are always packed and the water is still not always warm enough to really swim in anyhow. We love the winter visits!
In the winter, wind is common especially late December and January. This makes the beach gorgeous with large waves. Bring an umbrella, it rains often enough but never bothers us-less loose sand in the shoes (bring boots). Also, you typically get prime hotel prices and plenty of rooms with views available. The staff is relaxed and more attentive and the shop owners really want your business and deal well and offer specials.
If you want a relaxing beach with no crowds, with large waves, shopping and dining without needing your car all weekend and tired kids, visit Seaside, Oregon in the winter!
I was given VIP access to Maris Farms in Buckley, Wa
If you live in Pierce County Washington then Maris Farms is a fall name turned tradition for many families. I know friends and family all over the state who are aware of Maris Farms and we had our first visit this weekend and I have 1 word: IMPRESSIVE!
We moved to this county last year (moved back actually), yet we have never made a visit to Maris Farms before. Usually there is a neighborhood farm near our home that we will visit because it is close and local. Had I experienced Maris Farms earlier it would have been a tradition for all of the boys, not just the youngest now. Anthony brought a friend because a farm visit is better with a buddy!
I want you to experience Maris Farms with me! So, I have created this post full of photos that still doesn’t do the well-organized farm any justice. These pictures are only half of the experience you get.
See the map that Anthony is holding above? Below is a list of all of the events and stations around the farm to experience. That’s a lot! Now the green are everyday events and the ones in orange are weekend only events so the weekend is a great way to experience it all especially coming later so you are here for the evening Haunted Woods, but the weekdays are quieter and still offer plenty!
No surprise money due once inside except for 5 of the weekend events that have a $ sign after it. Let’s take a little tour….
Barnyard Ball Zone. There are 2 of these around the farm! How great would this be in your own backyard!
First! Look at the top of the Rat Rollers photo…that’s the Farm up there with a lot of the events. This is another area below near the pumpkin patch. There are plenty of wheelbarrows to go around so you aren’t lugging your pumpkins that far at all.
The wait for a Bounce House jump is always the longest wait!
That’s a mechanical bull! No kidding! This is weekends only.
This is one of 3 large walls showing the history of their corn maze designs!
Dad joins in on the Rubber Duck Races!
I leaned over the sheep barn wall to snap this. At night this turns into the entrance for the Haunted Woods walk. This is weekends only starting at 7pm and extra $.
How old were you when you ate a hot dog on a farm watching a pig race happen? Anthony was 10! Races are weekends only.
This is called the Jump Pillow and I want one! There is the other Barnyard Ball Zone in the background I told you about!
This is the Paintball Gallery or as the boys call it, the Zombie Paintball! Weekends Only and extra $.
The Trout Catch and Release Fishing was a blast. None of us caught a fish, but several around us did. Weekends only.
Check this out…a Goat Walk! Bring quarters because you can vend food and hoist it up to them in little buckets on a rope.
Everyhere you turn they have fit little activities on the walk like this Color Change maze. Why not?
What is a Mineshaft Slide we wondered as we came up to this area?
That’s a Mineshaft slide!
Ever ride a Monster Truck by a pumpkin field. You can at Maris Farms. This one costs an extra $10 and weeknds only.
Sheep! Pigs! Pheasants! and….kittens! Yes, we watched kittens play in the Animal Barn
Have you taken a Speleo Kave challenge? No worries, I still have no idea what this is. The boys, however came out hollering that was the most fun so far! Something about climbing in and maneuvering between narrow paths and coming out the ground.
The 10 year olds declined the Cow Train, but how adorable!
How did they think of these spots of fun? Seriously! The Black Mamba
Another blast, literally! Anthony is cannon shooting the Apple Blaster. This is a weekend only event and extra $.
Now these boys are Human Foos-Ball players!
If you haven’t ended a day on a farm in the fall on a Bee Line Zip Line, you have not lived in boy glory!
Maris Farms events not pictured or mentioned
2018 Corn Maze (I know…we had to go to a dinner). We had no idea we should have given ourselves so much time.
Hayride
Slide Tower
Tire Mountain
Spider Web
Corn Hole
Corn Room (the toddlers were living it up in here)
Sunken Tractor
Tetherball (in more than one area of the farm)
Baby Ball Zone
Pedal Trikes Course
Tube Sliders
Live Honey Bees
Cow Roping (not real ones, silly!)
Tug O War
Digger Dell (weekends)
Live Duck Races (weekend)
Pumpkin Princess Story Time (weekend)
Face Painting (weekend)
Hot Seat Escape (like a mini escape room-weekends)
The mifold car booster seat is the smallest, safe car booster seat that fits children 4-12 years old and is small enough to fit in your diaper bag, backpack or glove box. It makes fitting 3 safe seats in a row much easier and comes in multiple colors.
Setting the mifold up is very easy and has 3 width settings. It is comfortable with foam padding technology for extra comfort that stays cool, even on hot days. You’ll love the materials they use also, strong metal chassis of 6061 aircraft grade aluminum (as strong as steel) and Dupont™ Delrin® 100ST a super tough plastic polymer for superior impact resistance.
Have you heard that mifold has a new product called the hifold Grab-and-Go Highback Car Booster? It also folds down small enough to fit in a carry bag. It is just as safe and the height, lap, shoulder width and head rest can easily be adjusted as your child grows.
The hifold will be great for ride shares and carpools just like the mifold. This small, easy-to-carry design makes switching the car seat back and forth between vehicles so quick and easy.
I love that you can get carry bags for the mifold and hifold so if you need to head out of town, carrying the booster seats will be so easy!
Take a look….
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