Winter may seem like a bit of an odd time to visit the Hood Canal, what with all it’s water sports and leisure activities, and boy was it chilly, but damn was it gorgeous. I had the pleasure of visiting the lovely Alderbrook Resort over the New Year’s weekend and let me tell you, there is no place I’d have rather rang in the new year. Just two hours from Seattle, you can easily make this a weekend getaway and I promise, you’ll fall in love with the resort and the Hood Canal. (Like when am I going back?)
You’re greeted in the most adorable fashion when you arrive at Alderbrook – with your first “Skipper” and a blanket to snuggle up on while you skip rocks. When Alderbrook Inn became a resort destination in 1913, there wasn’t a whole lot to do around there. Skipping rocks became a canal tradition quickly and Alderbrook celebrates this history with this darling way to welcome you to the Hood Canal.
Don’t miss the Alderbrook Restaurant and double don’t miss their Bloody Mary. I went on quite a Bloody Mary kick last year and while I’m back to old faithful (whiskey), I still can’t resist a good looking Bloody (and come on there’s a crab claw on this one). Here’s the full lineup: Pepper Vodka, House Made Mix, Crab Claw, Pickled Veggies, Seasoned Salt Rim. Swoon, y’all.
Can you believe this gorgeousness was the view from my balcony? Alderbrook spoils its guests with superbly simple yet elegant rooms with stunning views like this one. Just views for days. Look at all that blue. Yup, I’m already ready to go back.
Walks on the dock by the boats is something you have to do at least three times a day at Alderbrook or you’re doing it wrong. Even in the absolutely frigid weather last weekend, it was totally worth every little stroll. So bundle up and take a jaunt down by the canal!
I never would have thought that whiskey and clam chowder go together until I got invited to Whiskey + Chowder Festival in Seattle last year. I won’t lie, first I thought “gross”, but I went and I ate and I drank and it worked. (Who knew?) Anyways, now I’m super into the combination and it’s absolutely the perfect thing to order on a chilly night like the ones last weekend. Alderbrook’s clam chowder did not disappoint, and neither did the whiskey, which was OOLA Distillery.
I was lucky enough to get both sunny and overcast days during my time in the Hood Canal and I’m really not sure which I enjoyed more. The sun and the dreariness were both so beautiful in their own ways. I snapped this the day I left, just the definition of serene; something I soaked in as much as I could before returning to the hustle and bustle of Seattle and real life. There’s not many places I leave and say I want to return, because there’s just too many places on my list – but, I’ll be back to the Hood Canal.
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