Bill's Bountiful Blog

May I keep you posted on my thoughts, ideas, observations, and silliness?. Am I serious? Is it relevant?. Does anyone care? Probably not much.

But in today's age of everyone has something to say, why not me? And who can blame me for jumping into to the pool? For speaking up For laying it out?

"Freedom of the press is guaranteed only to those who own one." - Thomas Wiley, Journalist


Allison & Chase Discover Family Skiing at White Pass!

By Wendy Thomas
Published: 08/06/24 Topics: Dog Friendly, Family, Interview, Mount Rainier WA, Packwood WA, Things To Do, Vacation Comments: 0

Allison, who works in inventory management, and Chase, who is active-duty military, are currently stationed in Port Orchard, Washington. They wanted to take a skiing vacation within Washington State. Theirs was a full house, with Allison, Chase, their two kids, two friends, and their dog, Magnolia.

------

Packwood Properties: What made you choose Packwood and Cowlitz Manor House?

Allison: Chase is an avid skier, and we wanted to take a ski vacation to someplace new. We’d never been there, but he wanted to try the White Pass area, and the house looked beautiful and the location seemed to be amazing. Plus, it had a hot tub.

Packwood Properties: Did you use the hot tub at all?

Allison: Oh yes. The kids took skiing lessons, so after spending a day skiing, it was great. We used the gas fire pit upstairs as well, especially when the power went out!

Packwood Properties: Oh no! Sorry about that. I hope that turned out to be okay in the end?

Allison: It was. Packwood Properties kept us up to date about when the power would come back on. We had the gas stove inside and the gas fire pit outside, so we were fine until the power came back to the street in the evening.

Packwood Properties: What was your favorite thing about the house?

Allison: We loved the front porch facing the river. We spent most of our time there. And, of course, the hot tub after skiing. We used the fire pit quite a bit. Especially with the power out! We liked how close it was to the White Pass Skiing Area, only a half hour drive. The house was big enough for all six people plus Magnolia to spread out. It was beautiful. Just like the pictures showed.

Packwood Properties: I hope we’ll be able to host you again in the future.

Allison: It was one of the better Airbnbs we’ve stayed in. We will definitely stay here again, if available!

Read more

Author: Wendy Thomas – Cowlitz Manor House, Cowlitz Manor House
Blog #: 0977 – 08/06/24

Working With Leavenworth Getaways

By Wendy Thomas
Published: 04/11/24 Topics: Guest Behavior, Guest Management, Interview, Leavenworth WA, Lodging Management, Vortex VIP Comments: 0

Mike, a retired attorney and the owner of Icicle View Vacation Rental Home in Leavenworth, agreed to sit down with Leavenworth Getaways, a member of the Vortex VIP lodging managers group, for a few minutes this week.

For over 20 years, Mike and his family have owned Icicle View.  They’ve spent weekend, holidays, and new years there.  Their daughter’s favorite childhood memories have been at the house, and the entire family has enjoyed seeing the California Quail and Grouse in the backyard.  A special event for this family of birdwatchers.  Deer have even taken advantage of the carport to cool off during the summertime.
 
VIP: Mike, thank you for speaking with us today.  We’re so glad you are trusting your house to us.  What made you buy it 23 years ago?
 
Mike: The location was very important for us.  We wanted to be out of town, but have the benefit of town water.  We love the views of the hills, the night skies, and the sunrises and sunsets from our quiet hillside.
 
VIP: As a resident, what are your favorite things to do in the Leavenworth area?
 
Mike: Golfing at the Leavenworth Golf Course is one of the hidden gems for golf in Washington State.  We love to hike up in the Alpine Wilderness area in the Enchantments by Colchuk Lake.  Icicle Ridge Trail is beautiful.  We’ve enjoyed cross country skiing here.  There are three courses in and around Leavenworth.  Leavenworth is halfway between Stevens Pass and Mission Ridge for downhill skiing.  
 
We love going shopping at Apple Annie Antique Gallery in Cashmere, and there’s a diner there we enjoy named Café Jazmin.  It’s a 50s themed diner that we enjoy.
 
To enjoy the natural features of the area, we go to Ohme Gardens and overlook Wenatchee, Dry Falls beyond Wenatchee.  We love the geology of the area.  
 
Another great way to enjoy the beauty of the area is to rent inner tubes from Adventure River Tubing Leavenworth.  You can spend an entire afternoon floating down the Wenatchee River, right by downtown.  Some people bring food and drink and have a picnic along the way, or get out and stop for a while, then restart.  
 
VIP: That’s amazing, Mike.  Thanks so much for sharing all of that.  Sounds like you’ve been loving the area for a while.  When did you start putting your house in the vacation rental market?
 
Mike: It was during Covid.  July of 2020.  
 
VIP: Did you rent it yourself, or did you use a management company?
 
Mike: We started with Vacasa.  But we didn’t like how they handled it.  The house wasn’t consistently cleaned, and some of the guests we had were worrisome.  There was a fight in the house where there was quite a bit of damage.
 
VIP: That sounds awful!  We’re glad we are able to help you!
 
Mike: Bill said we’d have better clients, and you’ve kept your promise.  You’ve positioned the house well and marketed so we don’t have any more problematic guests.  We want to keep the house in our family for years, so making sure we don’t have guests who ruin it is very important to us.  
 
VIP: How do you like our local manager, Michelle?
 
Mike: She’s good.  We have a dedicated housekeeper who has been with us for 23 years, and she and Michelle have a good working relationship. Michelle is very businesslike, and it’s good.  She has been very helpful.
 
VIP:  Thank you so much for speaking with us, Mike.  We appreciate you taking time out of your day.  
 
Mike: It was my pleasure.

Read more

Author: Wendy Thomas – Contributor, Vortex VIP
Blog #: 0985 – 04/11/24

Birthday at Pintails Lodge

By Wendy Thomas
Published: 03/06/24 Topics: Dog Friendly, Family, Hood Canal, Interview Comments: 0

Heather, an elopement photographer from Seattle, wanted to celebrate her birthday with family and friends.  She and her husband, their toddler, her childhood best friend, and her two rescue dogs headed up to Port Ludlow for a vacation.
 
The Port Townsend area has a special place in her heart, as it’s where she and her husband got engaged.  It’s not their first time staying in Port Ludlow and they know and enjoy how quiet and restful it is. She chose to stay at Port Ludlow Vacation Rentals company, a member of the Vortex VIP lodging managers group.
 
______
 
VIP: What made you come out to Pintails Lodge for your birthday?
 
Heather: We chose it because it was dog friendly, it was on the water, it looked so cozy and inviting, and it’s close to Port Townsend.  
 
VIPs: Glad you thought it looked cozy and inviting!  Was it that way in real life compared to the pictures?  
 
Heather: It was.  It was so welcoming, well appointed, it had great energy, it was cozy, and we loved the water views.
 
We also hadn’t known about the carriage house.  It was such a great set up for us.  My best friend stayed there, and my toddler didn’t wake her in the morning.  The floor plan was great.
 
VIP: What activities did you do while you were in town?
 
Heather: This trip we just chilled together after a really busy season, but the next time I come down I’m bringing my paddle board.
 
VIP: You have your own paddle board?
 
Heather: I really love paddle boarding.  Because the house is right on the water, I’ll bring my own and I’ll be able to go paddle boarding as much as I would like.
 
VIP: Sounds like a great plan!  I hope even without the paddle board you left your vacation feeling relaxed and rested?
 
Heather: Oh my goodness, yes.
 
VIP: You said “the next time”.  Do you think you’ll come back?
 
Heather: We’re already planning to book again with my parents in May or June.
 
VIP: Thanks, Heather!  Can’t wait to have you back again.

Read more

Author: Wendy Thomas – Pintails Lodge, Pintails Lodge
Blog #: 0981 – 03/06/24

Outdoor Preschool Director Finds Classic Cabin

By Wendy Thomas
Published: 02/26/24 Topics: AirBnB, Cooking, Crystal Mountain, Interview, Mount Rainier WA, Vacation Comments: 0

Justin, the director of an outdoor preschool in Denver, stayed true to his likes when he and friends booked a trip to Mount Rainier. They wanted to be able to hang out together and ski, coming together from their homes across the United States.

______

Crystal Cabins: What made you choose Lindgren Haus and the Mount Rainier area?

Justin: The price was hard to beat for the weekend. It was an awesome location and had classic cabin kind of vibe. We wanted to go skiing at Crystal Mountain. That was the biggest driver of where we stayed. I’d been to Seattle a bunch of times, but never up to Crystal Mountain before.

Crystal Cabins: Did you and your friends enjoy the cabin?

Justin: It was great for hanging out with friends. It had a nice layout and everything was provided.

Crystal Cabins: Were the amenities ok? What you were expecting?

Justin: We were surprised by a TV and DVD player. We hadn’t realized that they would be there. We hooked up our Switch to the TV. The kitchen was well stocked and we were excited we didn’t need to bring in anything. Soap and towels were already there. That was great for those of us who flew in.

Crystal Cabins: Was your favorite part of the trip the skiing?

Justin: That was definitely part of it. It was phenomenal skiing. But all of us hanging out in the cabin at night was the best part.

Crystal Cabins: You skied and you stayed at the cabin. Sounds both fun and relaxing. Did you feel you had a good trip?

Justin: Yeah, we got everything we wanted and more out of it. It was an awesome stay. If we can get everyone together again, we’d like to come back.

Read more

Author: Wendy Thomas – Editor, Lindgren Haus
Blog #: 0979 – 02/26/24

Yuka's First Trip to Hi-Tide Resort

By Wendy Thomas
Published: 01/25/24 Topics: Aberdeen Washington, Dog Friendly, Hi-Tide Resort, Interview, Moclips Beach WA, Ocean Shores WA, Vacation Comments: 2

For 33 years, Michael Muller, from Edmonds, worked for the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife.  So naturally, when he wants to take a weekend away, he heads out to the coast.

Visiting Moclips for the first time, he came to Hi-Tide Resort in October 2023, hoping to avoid the crowds but still have the great weather the coast can provide.

------

Hi-Tide: What brought you out to the coast?
 
Michael: I wanted to visit with friends in the area.  I saw Hi-Tide was there, and I could bring my Husky/Malamute mix, Yuka.  I was debating about going to Lake Cushman or the coast, and I decided I wanted to get Yuka out to the ocean.
 
Hi-Tide: What did you do while you stayed with us?
 
Michael: We did a lot of exploring of the area.  We also enjoyed the solitude and quiet of the beach.  Yuka was a busybody on the dunes.  At night, I loved looking up at the stars and I could see the crabbers with their lights on way out in the water.  The weather was perfect, since it was the tail end of summer and it was still warm.
 
Hi-Tide: Were you upset there was no razor clamming during your visit?
 
Michael: No.  It’s hard to keep track of Yuka and dig for clams at the same time.  I talked to other people at the resort about it and liked that there was a cleaning station right there for people to use.  Not many places have that.  
 
Razor clams are one of my favorites, though.  I stopped at Duffy’s in Aberdeen on my way out to the coast.  They were some of the best razor clams I’ve had.  
 
Hi-Tide: What was the best part about your stay?
 
Michael: On our first day there I discovered that Yuka would not go up the stairs.  I had to carry her the few tries we went up those stairs. I called the front desk and Jerry there was able to get us moved to a ground floor unit within an hour of my phone call.  
 
Hi-Tide: Would you come back to Hi-Tide?
 
Michael: Absolutely!  I’d like to come back at about the same time of year later this year.  I’d like to take my daughter and granddaughter, and Yuka’s littermate Kavic.   
 

Read more Read 2 comments

Author: Wendy Thomas – Hi-Tide Resort, Hi-Tide Resort
Blog #: 0973 – 01/25/24

DETAILS: Newsletters are published for the benefit of readers. Because information changes rapidly, content may be dated by the time it arrives and further out of date over time. Reviewing old newsletters should be done understanding when it was published. Authors are invited to submit news, articles and opinions by clicking on the Submit articles link. By doing so, submitters authorize the editor to publish such submissions additional news items on this and other websites without compensation, with and without credit to and naming of the author. Once submitted articles may can not be withdrawn. The publisher accepts no responsibility for mis-information or errors submitted to it. Please report inappropriate or undesirable linked news by emailing the website.