Showing posts with label Copper Creek Inn. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Copper Creek Inn. Show all posts

Monday, April 20, 2015

Remembering Summer Camp

I was going to write about summer’s Big 3 today. You know: Graduations. Weddings. Family reunions. But, as I was looking out at my garden seeing the fragrant lilac hedge doing its lavish best to fill the air with its gentle perfume, I was reminded of the warm days of summer camp when the trees were fully leafed out. Sunlit days. Moonlit nights. The walks in the woods. The starry nights. Laughing around the campfire. The smell of wood smoke. No phones. The shower just up the trail. Heaven.

The funny thing is ~ that is all still available at Mount Rainier!

I love the Sky and Snow Cabins. Quite a bit more civilized than the summer camp of old but just as serene, peaceful and relaxing. These classic cabins are small and tucked under the trees in a beautiful wooded setting. 

Each cabin has its own detached private bathroom with a shower. How cool is that! So, fling your towel over your shoulder like you did when you were 10 and walk 30 steps to your own bathroom. And, since these cabins are a tad more polished, you have access to the hot tub behind the Inn during your stay.

These darling cabins are open all year 'round. So, whenever the "summer camp" mood strikes, book a stay in Sky or Snow!

I'm just sayin' . . .

Grateful every day for summer in the Northwest.

King5 Evening Magazine Voted Best Cabins 2 years in a row!


Sunday, April 12, 2015

Going for a Three-Peat! King 5 and Evening Magazine's Best Northwest Escapes Voting is Open! Please Cast Your Vote!

You may have noticed this logo 
at the bottom of the blog posts. 

Great Getaways and Copper Creek Inn 
has been voted the best cabins in the 
Evening Magazine's Best Northwest Escapes 
two years in a row!


It's that time of year again.

http://email.wifa.st/c/ZD0xMmFlNyZpPTIwMTUwNDAzMDAzNTAzLjE1NjUuMTkzNTclNDB3aWZhLnN0Jmg9N2Y0YjIwMGQxNDgxNTZhYjBkMzI2NjU3NGRhMTQ1YmYmbD1odHRwJTNBJTJGJTJGbndlc2NhcGVzLmtpbmc1LmNvbSUyRmNvcHBlci1jcmVlay1pbm4lMkZiaXolMkYxNzQzNzgmcj1oYmJlbmVkaWN0JTQwYW9sLmNvbSZtZXNzYWdlbG9nPTU1MWRlMDM2YjY5ZDgwNjk0NWZlMmZjYQ

King 5 ~ Evening Magazine ~ Best Cabins
Please cast your vote for Copper Creek Inn


                                                     http://email.wifa.st/c/ZD0xMmFlNyZpPTIwMTUwNDAzMDAzNTAzLjE1NjUuMTkzNTclNDB3aWZhLnN0Jmg9YjkwOWE2MTdkODM4NDdhYmEzYzBhOGJmMTYyMjI5ZWQmbD1odHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnd3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20lMkZwYWdlcyUyRkNvcHBlci1DcmVlay1Jbm4lMkYxMDU4Nzg5MjYxNTYzNTAmcj1oYmJlbmVkaWN0JTQwYW9sLmNvbSZtZXNzYWdlbG9nPTU1MWRlMDM2YjY5ZDgwNjk0NWZlMmZjYQhttp://email.wifa.st/c/ZD0xMmFlNyZpPTIwMTUwNDAzMDAzNTAzLjE1NjUuMTkzNTclNDB3aWZhLnN0Jmg9MzU5ZWM2MDc1NzMwNDJiMTE1MDU5OWJkYmZkOWFjODImbD0lMjIlMjImcj1oYmJlbmVkaWN0JTQwYW9sLmNvbSZtZXNzYWdlbG9nPTU1MWRlMDM2YjY5ZDgwNjk0NWZlMmZjYQ

Please cast your vote for Copper Creek Inn and tell your friends. Your vote makes all the difference. These cabins are wonderful. 

Thank you in advance for helping Copper Creek Inn ~ going for a Three-Peat!

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

How Green are They? Greener than Kermit!

As I mentioned when I was telling you about Phil Freeman, he lives his ideals. He's been green since Kermit was a tadpole!

Organic garden. Darling gardener!
Recycle? Check.
Compost? Check.
Organic Garden? Check.
Solar power? Check.
Electric car? Check.
Charging stations? Check, again.
Private pond stocked with trout? Of course.

Over the years, Catharine, Phil and I have talked about their views on the importance of a healthy environment; about maintaining a small carbon footprint and about the obligation to leave this world for their children and grandchildren. To say it's a passion understates their commitment to ethical practices in all aspects of their business.

This spring, I've been highlighting the location and design of their cabins. Let's chat about Catharine and Phil's eco-values in action.

Many of their cabins have complimentary Electric Vehicle Charging Stations. If you have an electric vehicle, you can confidently leave the bustle of the city and the rush of the freeways for the rejuvenating calm of a cabin stay without having to worry about where you will be able to charge your battery. Reserve with confidence.
Look for EVCS on the Great Getaways web site. It indicates which cabins have charging stations. Worrying about the logistics of travel is the antithesis of soothing.

I'm just sayin' . . .


They are in the process of installing solar panels on their cabins. The Beach House on Puget Sound was recently completed. In a few years, the Beach House will be generating power instead of using power.

Copper Creek Restaurant is all about fresh! Fresh bread. Fresh blackberry pie. Fresh Copper Topper cinnamon rolls. All fresh out of the oven. Paired with their own specialty roasted coffee? Oh, yum! When you dine at Copper Creek Restaurant, you will always find premium products that are delicious as well as handled with care and respect for the environment. Stop by. Enjoy.

Grateful every day to have people in my life who are working 
to make the world a better place for generations to come.

KING5 and Evening Magazine ~ Voted Best Cabins 2 years in a row! 




Thursday, March 12, 2015

Diary of the Perfect Birthday ~ Beach House Style

Quick! What do Phil Freeman and Smokey the Bear have in common? Yes, they both love the forest and they pay attention to the “forest fire danger “ sign on the way to Mount Rainier. But, apparently according to a local radio station, they share the same birthday. Who knew?

Phil's birthday started in Seattle in Columbia City at a very cool jazz club called The Royal Room. Live music, wonderful food, a very nice bottle of wine. Convivial. Friendly. Excellent.

As the week progressed, I wanted to continue his celebrations with a dinner party at my house. When I got in touch with Catharine, she said, "Rats! No can do. Have to be at the Beach House to finalize the installation of the solar panels. Why don't you bundle everything up, come here and stay overnight."

Yes! What a grand idea!

So, loading up the wild salmon filet marinating in its special mixture, the cedar shingle, a baggie of large slices of potatoes drizzled with olive oil and a nice mix of spices. a lovely bottle of French wine, some fresh Belgian feta from PFI, a couple of quarts of my famous homemade pickles in vintage farm-style bale wired jars (a present for Phil), and my pillow, my friend Kim and I headed to the Beach House on the Puget Sound, one of the lovely properties owned by Catharine and Phil.


On the way down there, we were listening to the radio and the announcer intoned, "Smokey the Bear's birthday was this week." 

"Wow," I thought. "Nice to have a shared birthday! Phil will get a kick out of that. I must tell him."

Even though we unpacked the car when we arrived, we still cruised along on Easy Street. Never liking to rush into things, first, we opened a bottle of wine, noshed on an assortment of cheese, opened a jar of pickles, grabbed a handful of wasabi roasted almonds and put our feet up while the cedar plank soaked in the sink. Nice!

Now, here's the thing about Catharine and Phil: they are gourmands. They have sophisticated palates without being snobs. From American diner classics to French and Italian cuisine, they know good food and wine and appreciate a beautiful presentation. And, I have it on good authority, they are, in fact, the Washington state sultans of BBQ. They BBQ two to three times a week. So, it was a surprise to me that Phil had not had cedar planked wild salmon at home. In a restaurant, sure, but never at home.

He started the BBQ out on the back deck. I took the cedar plank out of the sink and laid the filet on it. "Don't we need a spatula to turn it over?" said Phil. 

"Nope. We don't turn it over. We just put the whole shootin' match on the grill, close the top and wait for the deliciousness." While the salmon was on the grill, Catharine made a classic Caesar salad complete with anchovies and egg yolk. We popped a baguette in the oven to warm after the potatoes finished roasting.

And, oh, the deliciousness! Many yummy noises around the table. Catharine said, “this is the best salmon I've ever eaten.”

We ended the evening in the living room, with our feet propped up on the table, eating an utterly divine classic cheese cake from Gotti Sweets.

And, what a wonderful slumber party! The next morning, fresh ground coffee, an amazing frittata, and cold, smoked wild salmon still on its plank! Much laughing.  Much talking. Much about Smokey and Phil sharing a birthday!
 

A perfect birthday getaway! Sooo, here’s my recommendation: if you have a birthday coming up, grab your family or a group of friends and stay in one of Catharine and Phil’s cabins. The perfect combination: Not only the perfect birthday but the perfect getaway, as well.

Connect with those you love. 
Enjoy a celebration vacation.

Oh, Phil and Smokey’s birthday? Shhhh! Apparently, you can’t believe everything you hear on the radio.


Grateful every day for lovely friends to celebrate with.

Reserve Now! The Beach House at Pirates Cove on Puget Sound


KING5 and Evening Magazine ~ Voted Best Cabins 2 years in a row! 


Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Come for Your Alaska Cruise; Stay for the Mountain

Spring is nearly upon us (though, if truth be told, it's come early for those of us in the Puget Sound region.) The cherry trees have been in bloom since the end of February. It's been a riotous profusion of pink and white lacey limbs in yards and along streets throughout the region for the last month. With the pink dogwood and magnolia soon to follow, we are enjoying all the hopeful signs winter is over. 

The reason I mention this is because it's nearly time for the Alaska Cruise tour season. Sailings start in April and go through September. So, whether you are sailing on Holland America or Norwegian or Princess or Carnival or Royal Caribbean or Celebrity or, if you just can't think of what to do with $10,000, there is Lindblad Expeditions, if you are planning a cruise to Alaska, come for the cruise but stay for the Mountain. 

The truth about cruises to Alaska is there are lots of options in a wide range of prices but . . . there is only one Mount Rainier and for the most part, it's free for all of us to enjoy. 

So, I'm recommending you come for the cruise and stay for the Mountain. Come early for a few days before you sail to unwind from your day-to-day routine. Refresh, breathe deeply and embrace the zen of a well-earned retreat. Or, continue the joys of the Alaskan coast with its craggy cliffs, calving glaciers, starry skies and bright blue days and relax at the foot of Mount Rainier in one of the cabins at Copper Creek Inn and Resorts.

Located just outside the Nisqually Gate to Mount Rainier, Copper Creek has been a stopover for families with children, backpackers, day hikers, and travelers for over 60 years.

Under the inspired ownership of Catharine Gallagher and Phil Freeman, that tradition of homespun hospitality coupled with modern amenities makes Copper Creek Inn and Resort a natural addition to your regional vacation plans.

With properties from Stevens Pass with its white water rafting, hiking, biking, and clear cool nights to the Beach House or Caboose with 850' of waterfront on Puget Sound to the cabins at Mount Rainier, you have a score of lodging options to choose from.

Gentle reminder: come for the cruise; stay for the Mountain.

I’m just sayin’. . .

Grateful every day for misty rain and fragrant air.

KING5 and Evening Magazine ~ Voted Best Cabins 2 years in a row! 

Friday, February 20, 2015

Looking for a Cabin at Stevens Pass? Stay at The Grey Fox

Even though my friend, Kim, has only been here for a few years, she could be mistaken for a Seattle native. She has embraced all things quintessentially Northwest ~ hiking, biking, camping, skiing. She's got REI on speed dial and they greet her by name as she comes in the door. When Kim goes skiing, she goes to Stevens Pass. And, when she makes a long weekend of it, she reserves Grey Fox.

Whether hiking or biking in the summer, white water rafting the Skykomish in the fall or skiing at Stevens Pass in the winter, Grey Fox is the ultimate getaway cabin. Secluded on 3 1/2 acres of dense forest along 350 feet of the Skykomish River, Grey Fox is a nice walk from the historic town of Index and a short drive from skiing at Stevens Pass or enjoying a beer and braut in Leavenworth.


It is perfect for a romantic getaway or a centralized locale for a friends or family day trip. The cabin has two queen bedrooms fitted with down comforters and handmade quilts. 

Kim loves the queen-sized log bed in the living room with its freestanding fireplace on the beautifully designed, hand-built river rock hearth and surrounding wall. At night in the winter, she lights a fire; then, into bed under a down comforter and lovely quilt. There is nothing like lying in bed, hearing the Skykomish rush to the sea while looking out the large window into a starry night. And, in the morning: the forest, a few deer nibbling their breakfast and a view of the best rock climbing wall in the state of Washington.


As usual with all the Great Getaway cabins, there are many artful amenities. I could wax poetic about the super comfortable mattresses and the darling wooden rocking chairs used in the cabins. Everything you need for your stay is here. You can literally walk in the door with a bag of groceries and find a fully stocked kitchen complete with a canister of the specially roasted whole bean coffee served at Copper Creek Inn. You'll want a fresh cup of joe when you sit on the wrap-around deck. So, relax and breathe in the crisp, clean air. 

There is a large flat screen TV/DVD/VCR in the living room. While there is a handful of DVD's in the cabin, you will want to bring your own DVD's if you want to watch movies. TV reception is not good in the mountains. 

The inviting hot tub, under a gazebo, is just steps from the river.

So, whether you are skiing alone or planning an outing with friends, you'll find what you need at Grey Fox where up to six can stay comfortably. Includes a BBQ grill with propane, a picnic table on the deck and, if you have an electric car, there is a complimentary electric vehicle charging station. 


Enjoy all your outdoor activities: 
fishing, rafting, skiing, biking, hiking, rock climbing. 
Grey Fox. It's private and beautiful in all seasons. 


Grateful every day for my friend, Kim.


KING5 Evening Magazine ~ Voted Best Cabins 2 years in a row




Catharine's original art throughout Great Getaways lodging.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Meet the Creekside Cabin ~ Enjoy Wandering Secluded Trails Through Acres of Pristine Forest

Holy Cow, what a sunset tonight! Intensely bright pink flashing along the horizon as the clear blue sky fades to indigo. And, yes! The Mountain was out! You can just see everyone slowing down to enjoy our sunsets. It feels like we, as a city, take a collective deep breath, drop our shoulders and let out a gentle sigh. And, when we get home, the first words out of our mouths?

"Did you see the sunset?"

Beautiful. A natural benediction. A true moment of Zen.

I guess that is why I love the cabins at Mount Rainier so much.


Every time I see Mount Rainier's year-round, snow-capped peak framed in the famous blue skies of Seattle, I am reminded of sleeping in one of my favourite cabins up at Mount Rainier. I know! I know! Much like beloved children, I know it's a mistake to have a favourite, but oh, am I tempted by the historic Creekside Cabin at Mount Rainier.

What's it like? Well for one thing, it's perfect for a large family. It has three bedrooms so up to six stay comfortably. Includes WIFI, Verizon cell service, BBQ grill with propane and, if you have an electric car, there is a complimentary electric vehicle charging station.

It is located on the banks of the Copper Creek so when you go to bed at night, the sound of water tumbling over the rocks on its way to the sea will lull you to sleep. And, when you wake up in the morning, it calls to you ~ "Come on. Get up! Let's go out to play."

The air is fresh, crisp and clean. I don't know a better way to start a vacation.

There is a full kitchen with everything you need for meals from simple to gourmet. On the counter, find complimentary whole bean coffee especially roasted for your morning joe. Grab the coffee grinder and enjoy!

There's a basket of spa towels near the door. You're going to need them. The hot tub is just steps from the front door overlooking Copper Creek. Yes, the hot tub is tucked near the cabin but it is placed so you have all the privacy you desire. Gaze up! You're under the stars up to your neck in warm water surrounded by those you love.

As you plan your stay, don't forget to bring the marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars. You'll be glad you brought them along as you sit on the log benches around the inviting fire pit. The fire pit is always available as long as there is no burn ban in place. Your hosts will let you know.

Bring sports equipment to play games on the open grassy areas. Go into the woods. You have 6 1/2 acres to explore. And, as you wonder the forest, breathe deeply, relax, look at the world around you. Keep your eyes out for trillium, fern, foxglove, blackberry and wild strawberry scattered among the cedar and fir trees.
.

The comfortable, casual interiors invite you to put your feet up and relax.




Starry nights.

Crackling wood.

The smell of pine and the sound of rushing water.

Yup, that's why I love this cabin so much!

I think you will, too!

Grateful every day to see the sunset on another day in paradise.

Reserve Now! The Creekside Cabin at Mount Rainier

KING5 Evening Magazine ~ Voted Best Cabins 2 years in a row



Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Oh, the adventures that begin with . . .

If you believe the loveliest memories are made at Mount Rainier, bring your family and friends to Copper Creek Inn for your wedding.

If you believe the best things come in small packages, consider exchanging your vows at the Lodge at Copper Creek Inn. Perfect for your intimate wedding of 40 guests. For a larger wedding of up to 150 guests, hold your ceremony in our sun-drenched glade and reserve the Meadow at Copper Creek Inn. Both venues sublime and utterly distinctive.

Located two miles from the Nisqually Gate to Mount Rainier, the Meadow and the Lodge at Copper Creek Inn are stunning backdrops for a wedding as exceptional as you are.

Extraordinary in every way ~ chic, sophisticated, elegant, refined, tender, deeply romantic, and reminiscent of a more graceful time.

Our weddings are noted for their flawless attention to detail.

Imagine your photographs . . .

You ~ beautiful in your dress as your groom gazes at you.

You ~ radiant on the arm of your beloved as you exchange your vows before your family and friends.

You ~ glowing with happiness as you toss your bouquet.

While it is true all weddings need families, friends and a lovely couple glowing with love, you're also going to need something to eat. And, oh, boy! Have you come to the right place!


Julia and Donny, the catering chefs at Copper Creek Inn, are ready to help you plan the perfect wedding menu for you and your guests. 

Yes, it is true that Copper Creek Inn is famous for its amazing berry pies, but, wait until you taste what they have planned for your wedding celebration! Everything freshly prepared on-site. Everything beautifully presented. 

Thinking of a wedding brunch?

Yes, you can have that lovely brunch you have always wanted. Copper Creek Inn has many dining options. Maybe you will want your guests to have the fresh, warm quiche with a delectably flaky crust served with fresh fruit in its own rind bowl.  Whatever menu items you select will be carefully prepared and artfully presented. The result will be friendly and inviting. And as always, you can choose from an assortment of breads fresh from the oven.













If you have a dinner in mind, the chefs at Copper Creek Inn are famous for imaginative entrées.










Are you thinking smoked salmon? Me, too! Their wild salmon is smoked on site the day of your event. How about BBQ? Yes! Our chefs are BBQ'd royalty. Delicious flat iron steaks, rib eye steaks, chicken, burgers, ribs, and bratwurst ~ prepared while you watch. Add locally sourced fruits and vegetables to complete your dinner selections. Result? Oh, yum! I'm just sayin' . . . 

Copper Creek Inn offers professional catering services you can depend on. 












From the food to the sparkling wine to the tent to the music to the arrangements on the tables, the knowledgeable staff at Copper Creek Inn is prepared to make your wedding wishes a reality.

Whatever you decide, every recommendation is made to make your day as perfect as you hope.

Call to arrange a tour or a tasting.

Everything just as you imagined.

And, a dazzling beginning of many, many happy anniversaries.


Everyday grateful for family and friends
who gather to celebrate happy occasions.

Reserve Now! Great Getaways and Copper Creek Inn Cabins