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Grayland Beach State Park Campground {Washington} – our maiden voyage

Apr 112015



Grayland Beach State Park

Our Maiden Voyage with Stella {our Airstream} happened over Spring Break, April 8-10, 2015. We had booked a camping spot at Grayland Beach State Park in Western Washington. We chose Grayland because it was a short 80-mile distance from home, an easy driving route and on the beach.

Location – Grayland Beach State Park, camping spot 102
Available services – Electrical and water hook-up (no sewer, but dumping available in campground)
Cost – $30/night, plus $8 web reservation fee = $68 for two night

It’s recommended you take a little “shake down” trip with your new (or used) rig a few times before you head out for a big trip. It’s a good opportunity to test your trailer systems to make sure all systems are working properly. I was a ball of nerves – although we had a very thorough walkthrough when we picked Her up, it was the first time we’d be doing everything on our own – hitching her up, hooking her up to water, leveling her and using all the systems.

Grayland Beach State Park - Airstream

Once we got to the campsite, got her backed in, leveled and plugged in – I finally let out that first sigh of relief. I think I had been holding my breath all the way from Olympia. 🙂 Had we really just got here in one piece? I was so grateful and giddy to have arrived as planned.

Shiny Airstream at Grayland Beach State Park (Washington)

It didn’t take us long to completely relax and immerse ourselves in the beauty and fun around us. How could we not? The weather was GLORIOUS – sunshine, no wind, and temps in the 60’s – rare conditions for a Washington beach in April.

Sandy log at Grayland Beach State Park

We headed straight to the beach – a short five minute walk from our campsite. The beaches at Grayland aren’t rocky like some – lots of nice soft sand, driftwood and shells.

Kid playing with crabs at Grayland Beach State Park

And crab. Lots of crab shells laying around, which Liam enjoyed playing with.

Beach-combing Grayland Beach State Park

Liam spent most of his time beach-combing – he was so excited to find treasures in the sand. Shore birds flew overhead – but his eyes were on the prize – any type of rock, shell, driftwood – he found all sorts of beauty from the beach.

Grayland Beach State Park - A boy and his beach-combing treasures

And he was so proud of them. This boy was made for this kind of thing.

Razor clam shells at Grayland Beach State Park (Washington)

Razor clam shells were everywhere and there were lots of people who were clamming. People were getting their limits every morning! We didn’t razor clam this time – I would like to next time we go, but this time we had enough to focus on with getting acquainted with the trailer – so we just enjoyed watching others!

Airstream camping Grayland Beach State Park (Washington)

Since it was spring break, there were lots of young kids at neighboring campsites. Our kids wasted no time making “best friends” with the other kids. We were in a “round-about” of campsites – the middle of the circle was a kid’s paradise – trees to climb, bushes to hide in, hills to bike down. The kids spent a lot of time playing hide-and-seek with friends in this area.

Airstream Campfire Camping - Grayland Beach State Park (Washington)

We wrapped up our first day with a campfire, roasted hot dogs, s’mores. . .

Reading by the campfire - great idea for camping with kids

. .  Liam reading to us by the campfire, and star watching before we FELL into beds exhausted.

Kite Flying - Grayland Beach State Park

On the afternoon of our second day at Grayland Beach State Park, we pulled out the kites! The kids had been begging to take them out and the weather was perfect for it – not too windy and still warm and sunny.

Kite flying - Grayland Beach State Park

My sweet girl – tired after a long morning of running around in the sand – she looks like she’s in deep thought as she flies her butterfly kite.

Kids playing in the Pacific Ocean - Grayland Beach State Park (Washington)

Our second night I had a dear friend from nearby Hoquiam come for dinner! Our kids had a BLAST playing together and even though I’d been telling my kids to stay out of the water all day – it’s cold! – they all ended up running around in it together. While most adults would be cringing the kids couldn’t stop laughing and giggling as they were jumped into, and ran away from, the waves. Sometimes you can’t worry about the mud, the mess and the mayhem – you just gotta let kids be kids. So I did.

But Hadley ended up tripping into a wave and getting completely soaked head-to-toe 🙂 With the sun setting, I was worried it would get too cold for her, so we headed back to camp where I gave each of the kids warm showers and put them in their pjs. They ended up playing outside long after the sunset – with their friends – in their pjs, wearing headlamps and building forts on the perimeter of the campsite. It was exactly how I’d want them to remember their first real camping trip.

RV cooking - homemade salsa and guacamole

This was my first “meal” I prepped in the tiny Airstream kitchen. Homemade salsa and guacamole. And not pictured was some baked Beecher’s baked macaroni and cheese (don’t be too impressed, it was from Costco – baby steps, my friends, baby steps). The kitchen area is definitely going to take some getting used to – but I think we’ll manage just fine.

In fact – it’s all going to take some adjusting – but it’s an adjusting that I’m looking forward to. Swapping the stuff, the excess, the 9-5, the complicated schedules – for simple family time, adventure, nature, fresh air and intentional living.

Snail at the beach.

We spotted this snail on the way to the beach one morning. And I think it symbolizes two things for me – coming out of our shell to find the courage to break from the status quo; and the slower pace of life that we’ll hopefully experience on the road.

Walking on the beach - dad and son - Grayland Beach State Park (Washington)

The memories we made this first trip were magical. The time we spent together – as a family – immersed in nature and engaged with each other, was just the sort of reason why we’re planning this year-long trip around the country. The trip solidified my faith in our choice – gave me courage and reassurance that we can do this – and that we’re going to have many magical memories along the way. . . .

Airstream trailer, camping - Grayland Beach State Park (Washington)

Parked under the moon at Grayland Beach State Park (Washington)

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{ 10 Comments }

by Heather Filed Under: Destinations, Washington

Comments

  1. Kyle says

    May 8, 2015 at 7:49 am

    What a fun 1st trip! Thank you for sharing your adventure! Looks like an amazing campground!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      May 11, 2015 at 8:53 am

      Hi Kyle – YES, we did love the campground and would definitely recommend it! 🙂 It was a great first adventure.

      Reply
  2. Ariana says

    June 1, 2015 at 8:27 am

    I love Grayland beach! A little slice of heaven. Sand for miles, endless ocean. Never camped there but that camp ground is beautiful. What a great first camping trip.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      June 1, 2015 at 8:29 am

      Ariana – It was delightful. 🙂 I would love to go back after our year of travel – just to close that loop.

      Reply
  3. Melissa Thornton says

    June 1, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    Your pictures are lovely! What sort of camera do you use? I will love living vicariously through you as you make your way! Would love to do this some day, but have a upcoming Freshman in high school so we will have to wait!

    Reply
    • Heather says

      June 1, 2015 at 3:46 pm

      Thank you Melissa! I have a Nikon D5100. 🙂

      Reply
  4. LeAnn W says

    June 3, 2015 at 9:19 am

    Our family has so many camping memories at this park. We have camped here for years with our entire family to include 2 kids, 2 labs, and a rabbit. We did a lot of camping in the states here in the West too and made wonderful memories. The kids are grown, the pets have crossed rainbow bridge, but the memories live on. Looking forward to hearing about your memory making journey.

    Reply
    • Jeremy says

      June 3, 2015 at 9:39 pm

      Thank you for the encouragement. We had a great time at the beach!

      Reply
  5. Karin says

    June 8, 2015 at 9:52 am

    Oh how fun! We were also camping at Grayland Beach while you were there. It’s one of our favorite short escapes from Olympia. I remember looking longingly at your shiny new Airstream and dreaming some dreams of long road trips with my family. Life is too short not to live it fully. Good for your family! You are going to make memories for a lifetime. I am excited to follow your journey.

    Reply
    • Heather says

      June 9, 2015 at 9:30 am

      Karin – You were there the same time as us? That’s so funny! You’re right – life is too short not to live it fully. We knew we’d regret it if we didn’t at least try this. out. We’ll see how it goes! We’ll make memories for sure. . .

      Reply

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