Honeymoon: Ocean Shores, WA
We had already decided before the wedding that our honeymoon would be in Ocean Shores, WA. We both love the place, and November is truly the off-season, meaning no big crowds! Having an entire beach practically to ourselves was a huge plus.
Waking up on November 9th as a married couple was exciting, we both were like a young married couple and excited to start our new lives together, but first the honeymoon; at least one night away where we could just be a newly married couple and not worry about anything for a couple days. We got ready, packed the car, and hit the road.
The Drive
There was no rain when we left, which made the drive more pleasant for Lelaine. I actually love driving in pouring rain. The scenery was beautiful, with winding roads along the Hood Canal and all the fall colors on display.
We stopped in Shelton, WA for a quick lunch at a place called Wilde Irish Pub. We ordered the Wilde Pork Belly and the Bavarian Soft Pretzel with Pub Cheese and two iced teas. The pork belly was succulent and tender with a Maple Bourbon reduction. The waitress was sweet, and after hearing we had just gotten married, she surprised us with a complimentary crème brûlée. It was our first time there, but certainly not our last. Funny thing about the creme brûlée is that is one dessert that when we were first dating, we shared and then rated how good they were. This is how we knew each other was a bit of a foodie.
After lunch we hit the road again and continued on without any problems.
Ocean Shores
We arrived in Ocean Shores around 4 p.m., just in time for check-in. As expected, the town was mellow and quiet. After hauling our bags in, we settled into our room, complete with a jetted hot tub, kitchen, living room, and bathroom. Everything was spotless and very welcoming.
After a short rest, we got ready for dinner. We chose La Spiaggia Ristorante, and yes—an Italian place. The atmosphere was lovely and clean, and the staff were friendly without being pushy.
We started with a calamari appetizer with garlic aioli and marinara. For our main courses, Lelaine ordered the Scampi Prawns and I had the Chicken Parmesan. The chef was clearly classically trained; you could taste his passion for cooking. But at any Italian restaurant, there’s one test that matters most to me: Can they make a proper tiramisu?
YES. They absolutely can. Fresh, delicious, perfect.
Would we go back? Definitely.
And the beach? A little windy and chilly, but very enjoyable. The waves were rolling in beautifully. Lelaine had the courage to take off her shoes and walk in the water, which is something she says she has to do any time and any weather at the ocean. She keeps telling me she’s really a mermaid. Me? I stayed dry, someone had to take pictures, and I think it was a pretty good excuse.
The Restaurant on the Way Back
The next morning was slow and peaceful. We packed up and headed out. Breakfast consisted of overpriced food from a local store and below-average coffee from a roadside stand, but the drive home was uneventful in the best way. We had each other’s company, and that was more than enough. We had to make one stop in Shelton, the courthouse so Lelaine could file paperwork to legally change back to her maiden name. We learned you can’t just go back to your previous name when you remarry. Either take my last name or pay to get her name back. Even the USA has their own set of bureaucracy issues, but this is a necessary step for all the paperwork and updated documents we will need to have for our move.
Our final stop was for an early dinner at the Lucky Dog Casino in Skokomish, WA. The clam chowder was excellent, the service was great, and we even ended up $175 in the green.
Closing
We had a lovely time together, away from the everyday routines. Lelaine deserved this special getaway; she has been working so hard on her teaching and earning her master’s degree. It was wonderful to relax our minds and bodies before diving back into the long list of things to do before the big move.
In the next blog posting, Lelaine will tell you all about our wedding and all that she planned to prepare a small intimate wedding that would be a wonderful memory for us, mom and her children.
