Travel Journals

Our magical Christmas getaway to Alderbrook Resort & Spa

Published

8 months ago

December 6, 2024

I am going out on a Douglas Fir limb to declare that Alderbrook Resort & Spa might be the ultimate holiday haven in the Pacific Northwest.

After a recent weekend visit with my mom and my toddler, it’s clear that Alderbrook offers something special for all ages. The idyllic setting, lavish decor, and festive offerings were perfectly suited to our travel group of three, spanning three generations.

Come along on our magical weekend adventure to celebrate the Holidays on Hood Canal.

Our Black Friday was Red & Green

Traveling with a toddler is an adventure unto itself. So finding a destination where you truly feel transported — but without the hefty travel time — is a dream. Our trip started with one of my son’s favorite activities: a scenic ferry ride to Grandma’s house. From there, we packed up the car and started our hour-long trek to Union, Washington.

As a fan of the Alderbrook Golf Club and nearby Cameo Boutique, my mom knows the region well and volunteered for driving duty. With trusty Grandma at the wheel and my 3-year-old blissfully napping, my city stress melted away during the picturesque drive through Kitsap and Mason counties.

While the PNW has plenty of desirable holiday destinations, you can’t beat the convenience of traveling to Alderbrook—and need not worry about fighting traffic or dicey pass conditions.

We pulled up to the stunning resort already feeling relaxed and with a rested toddler, to boot. This Black Friday was about to burst into festive red and green.

Ahhh-lderbrook Resort & Spa

The resort’s rustic exterior leads into a grand lobby, which is decked to the hilt for the holidays. Towering, elegant Christmas trees bolstered by oversized ornaments are found at every turn. The lobby is Alderbrook’s interior centerpiece, a gathering place for families and couples to sit by the fire, play a game, sip a hot beverage or just bask in the grandeur of it all.

We checked into our Creekside Room on the 3rd floor with views of the quaint nearby cottages and gorgeous Hood Canal. The room was spacious and thoughtfully supplied for our two-night stay. After a couple mandatory hotel bed jumps, my son was ready to explore and soak in the awaiting sights, so it was back to the lobby for the first activity in our jam-packed itinerary.

Fireworks, Tree Lighting, and our 1st Santa Sighting

The evening began with a literal bang as the impressive Roosevelt Drumline filled Alderbrook’s chic lobby with a drum battle before the band marched outside in beat towards the evening’s main event.

It’s a longtime tradition in our family to attend tree lightings the day after Thanksgiving. Now that I have a toddler of my own, factors like traffic, pushy crowds and safety are much more top of mind. This year’s stroll from the lobby to the beautiful grounds of Alderbrook’s waterfront plaza was my idea of the perfect commute. We were surrounded by crowds of eager kids and kids-at-heart, far more people than I anticipated, in fact. But there was no mean-spirited jostling for position. All eyes were on the sky for a display of promised fireworks that meant Santa had arrived.

I expected a brief flash of fireworks like you might see at a neighborhood July 4th party, but ho-ho-no…this was a full-on show! The fireworks just kept going; it was incredible. Colors cascaded over Hood Canal, and spread absolute wonder across my son’s sweet face.

As the fireworks delivered their grand finale, Santa and Mrs. Clause emerged from the Lady Alderbook, the resort’s private yacht. The talented drumline got back in formation and ushered the jolly couple through the adoring crowd. Santa led onlookers in a countdown to the lighting of a massive Christmas tree and then fluffy “snow” fell across the crowd—the icing on this holiday cake of a night.

Activities for All Ages

Saturday morning started in the best possible way: with prompt and scrumptious room service. We’ll dig into our culinary journey in a moment.

My mom enjoyed a soothing one-hour massage at the resort’s spectacular award-winning spa while my son had a special celebrity encounter: lap time with Santa!

The Big Guy himself appeared in the lobby and spent quality time with each child in line. This was the first Santa meeting that really clicked for my son. They happily talked toys and shared giggles without any rush from the typical mall Santa experience.

After lunch, we were invited back to the lobby to decorate a gingerbread house and discovered it’s a lot harder than it looks. But we walked away with a special memento and new appreciation for the craft. Then it was time to embark on a much-anticipated water-bound adventure.

Hood Canal Highlight: Cocoa Cruise

This activity was our collective highlight of the weekend. Alderbrook’s Cocoa Cruise is a one-hour excursion aboard the festive Lady Alderbrook.

We lucked out with postcard weather as we sailed around Hood Canal, soaking in striking views of lush forests, snow-capped mountains and (my mom’s favorite) waterfront real estate.

As the name implies, there was hot cocoa galore, marshmallows and sprinkle cookies—but the sweetest treat of all was unlimited time with Santa.

Alderbrook’s Santa has a special knack for connecting with kids on their level. He even sat on the floor and read a special holiday book to his enraptured audience. Keeping my wiggly toddler engaged for that long was its own Christmas miracle. He gave each child an age-specific surprise and took time for crafts, conversation, and more photos.

Beyond his patience and believability factor, Santa had some seriously fresh footwear!

If you’re planning a visit to Alderbrook for the holidays, save time for the Cocoa Cruise and a brilliant panoramic view of Hood Canal.

Culinary Bliss

As I hinted above — and have gushed about before — the dining experience at Alderbrook is unmatched.

The Restaurant, as it is singularly named, has a new head chef, who we had the pleasure of meeting during our two exquisite dinners on-site. Chef Tim has a clear passion for his craft that shines through every bite. His welcoming demeanor and years of high-end dining experience are a winning pairing for diners and Alderbrook’s renowned culinary reputation.

For our room service breakfast, my mom was wowed by the Veggie Scramble, while I savored the Alderbrook Parfait and my son enjoyed the Kids Canal Breakfast Sandwich. Based on my requisite “mom tax” bite of his sandwich, it’s one of the best I’ve had and my picky little eater made good work of it.

When we dined-in for breakfast on Sunday, I wisely ordered the Smoked Salmon Bagel, which was an explosion of vibrant colors and flavor. Put this dish on your radar! The King salmon was crumbly but not dry, the capers and pickled onions packed a salty bite, while the cucumbers added a fun crunch. The freshly-baked everything bagel was seasoned just right and the schmear was really what put this dish over the top for me.

For oyster fans, the Hood Canal Hash is a savory delight and house favorite, topped by two expertly cooked eggs that provided a nice softness to the perfectly crunchy meal.

But the overall culinary highlight for me came during Saturday’s dinner at The Restaurant with the Grand Marnier Black Tiger Prawns. The mix of flavors was simply divine and, as I told our gregarious and sweet server Paddy, it’s a good thing I didn’t try these sooner, since I would’ve been tempted to order the prawns at every meal. Now you’d think I would post a really compelling photo of the prawns here, but oops, was apparently too busy enjoying them. Here’s a video recap our trip, with YES, some quick footage of the aforementioned prawns:

Alongside the prawns, we shared a generous serving of Crispy Brussels Sprouts. And thanks to Paddy’s perfect suggestion of the Browne Heritage Cabernet Sauvignon, my palate was dancing with delight. We splurged on the S’mores Chocolate Torte to complete our meal and if I could go back and give Chef Tim a hug or high-five, I would!

The service, presentation and flavor profiles are enough to put Alderbrook on your must-visit list.

That’s A Wrap

Hearts and tummies full, we ended Saturday night back in our room, watching a cheesy-yet-charming Hallmark Christmas movie, while feeling like we’d been living in one at Alderbrook.

Another perk of visiting Alderbrook is the proximity to Union City Market, which also looks plucked from a movie set. You can find artisan gifts, specialty snacks, and amazing drinks and dishes at Hook & Fork. The views and vibes here feel more like Martha’s Vineyard, while being perfectly PNW.

Alderbrook Resort & Spa knows how to deliver during the holidays, but it’s truly a year-round destination, offering seasonal activities, menus and the can’t-miss, indoor saltwater pool with unbeatable views.

Since arriving back home and dwelling on the multitude of memories, I can’t come up with a downside to our trip. Although, my son keeps asking to move back to The Hotel. The only drawback of this wonderful weekend getaway is that the bar is now set sky-high.

Until next time, Alderbrook!

Learn more about Alderbrook Resort & Spa here.

Jennifer King is the Managing Editor for SeattleRefined.com. While the products, services and/or accommodations in this story were provided without charge, the opinions within are those of the author and the Seattle Refined editorial board. ***Thank You to Mark and the Alderbrook team for inviting our family to review Holidays on Hood Canal. This review is dedicated to sweet kitty, Alder.

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Related Topics:Alderbrook Resort & Spa christmas Cocoa Cruise Culinary family Holidays Hood Canal Santa

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Why are Titans spending next 2 weeks road tripping? Brian Callahan, players explain value

Published

7 hours ago

August 6, 2025

Nick Suss, Nashville Tennessean

It’s still summer, but this sure won’t be a summer vacation.

The Tennessee Titans will spend parts of the next 10 days on the road, logging a total of nine nights in Tampa and Atlanta on a preseason road trip for joint practices and preseason games against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. It won’t be the busiest slate; the Titans will only practice three times with two games in between, meaning there will be four off days. But it’ll be a stretch spent together, and, crucially to coach Brian Callahan, it’ll be a stretch where opponents will be able to start forming their opinions about the Titans.

“One of the things I’m really looking for is what do those teams say about us when we leave?” Callahan asks rhetorically. “What do they say about how we played, the intensity we practiced with? Those are all things we get to go make an imprint of what our team can be this year.”

ROSTER TALK: Tennessee Titans roster projection: 5 tweaks to 53-man depth chart after training camp Week 2

Callahan envisions this road trip as an opportunity for his players and coaches to get closer, continuing the ongoing trend of Callahan emphasizing connection and togetherness as team-building tacts. It’s also an opportunity to get ready for the long road trips the Titans will have to endure in the fall; the Titans travel to Phoenix, Denver, Las Vegas and San Francisco this season, with the Raiders and Cardinals trips coming in back-to-back weeks.

The players seem to be bought into the idea. Receiver Calvin Ridley says the trip will go a long way toward bringing the team together. Rookie tight end Gunnar Helm says he’s looking forward to getting closer with his teammates. And offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr., in his first year with the Titans, plans to take advantage of the closeness.

“I do think it’s a great time for us to bond us a team,” Moore said. “Spend some time on the road. Get to know each other a little bit better, spend a lot more time with each other and just come together.”

Practicing with the Buccaneers presents a long list of challenges. Coach Todd Bowles’ defense blitzes at one of the highest rates in the league, which should test quarterback Cam Ward and the offense’s readiness. Quarterback Baker Mayfield and the Bucs’ talented receiving corps, led by Mike Evans, will be a huge test for the secondary. And then there’s the Florida heat. The forecast calls for mid-90s temperatures and extreme heat with a “real feel” of 104 degrees by the time practice is going to be ending.

When asked if he has any advice for enduring the Florida summer heat, cornerback and Florida native Jarvis Brownlee Jr. said to keep hydrated. And then he repeated his advice four more times.

Another underrated element is these joint practices, and preseason games, will be the Titans’ first opportunities to experience unfriendly environments. Having enemy fans around isn’t high on the list of reasons to go on these trips, but it’s a factor.

“It’s gonna be us against everybody for the next 10 days,” Helm says.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick at nsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X @nicksuss. Subscribe to the Talkin’ Titans newsletter for updates sent directly to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why Tennessee Titans are spending 10 days away from Nashville

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Travel Journals

Have the best road trip ever with these planning tips

Published

7 hours ago

August 6, 2025

Scott Hocker, The Week US

A road trip is the best kind of liberation — you (and your loved ones, if you so choose) plus the open road and limitless possibilities. Still, to optimally embrace that freedom, some upfront planning is required. These practical tips will ensure the trip is all you hope it will be.

Plan food stops before you leave

Just because you can see those golden arches from the highway doesn’t mean you must stop at that McDonald’s. Much of the country’s tastiest food is located just off the road, in what can seem like unsuspecting locations. “Some of the best expressions of regional food flavors and unique culinary styles can be found in gas stations,” said Frank Beard, a traveling sales rep, to Condé Nast Traveler. “Just because a place has four walls and a gas pump doesn’t mean they can’t do something different.”

“If you are planning a trip where you are going to drive, say, 12 straight hours to your destination, just fly if at all possible,” said American Weekender. “It’s not worth wasting an entire day of your trip in the car when you don’t have time to explore.” Clichés exist for good reason, so remember: The journey is indeed the destination. Stop at the dinosaur park you saw from the road. Sleep in, if the mood strikes. And relish the chance to break up the drive with an overnight stop.

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One certainty of road trips — and driving in general — is that at some point, there is going to be a car malfunction. Two arguably essential tools to have stowed in your auto are a portable jump starter for a stalled engine and a portable air compressor for pumping tires. “If you’re driving alone or in remote areas where car trouble will really ruin your day,” these mechanisms are “game changers,” said frequent traveler Rachel Engen to Outside magazine.

Auto maintenance either comes easily to you or it never crosses your mind until those pesky dashboard lights start blinking. If you’re the former, skip ahead. If you’re the latter, gather your strength and get all that maintenance done before you hit the road. “Check the oil, fluid levels, battery and tires,” said Lonely Planet. “Make sure you have air in your spare tire.” Obvious, yes. But obvious is best — especially if you follow through.

Picture it: You’ve entered your destination into Google Maps, and the app is guiding you smoothly there. Then, poof: Out goes the cell service. Avoid the abject terror that results and save everything you might need for offline use. That includes “Google Maps, trails, campsites and itineraries,” said Julia, the creator behind Julia Takes a Hike, to Outside magazine. Screenshots of reservations so “you don’t struggle to dig through email without Wi-Fi” is a wise idea, said Engen to Outside. “Make sure your music or audiobooks are downloaded too.”

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How dealerships can power up summer fun for riders

Published

7 hours ago

August 6, 2025

The Staff

By Susan Medrano

This article first appeared in the August edition of Powersports Business.

Summer vacation season has begun, and as Americans gear up for adventure, the high cost of air travel is fueling a road trip renaissance. According to a survey from GSTV, “83% of people said they plan to drive to their summer vacation destination, and 54% said they will drive instead of fly due to the rising cost of airfare.”

Powersports enthusiasts gearing up for summer road trips should ensure their vehicles are up to date on maintenance.

For powersports enthusiasts, a summer road trip may include trailering their ATVs and other on- and off-road vehicles to explore new trails, such as Iron Mountain Resort in Dahlonega, Georgia, Ride Royal Blue Resort in Pioneer, Tennessee, or Badlands Off-Road Park in Attica, Indiana. That is, of course, if their vehicles are up to the challenge.

Before hitting the dirt, riders need to ensure their vehicles are road-ready, and that can be costly. A rule of thumb in the powersports industry is that for frequent riders, an ATV should be tuned up every three to six months, and these costs can add up. For example, a tune-up for an ATV can cost between $100 and $400, while regular oil changes typically range from $30 to $55.

And let’s not forget those items not covered in a tune-up. For example, new tires, shocks, and batteries. According to ATVTires.com, some entry-level tires are priced from nearly $81 to $148 per tire, and for some high-performance tires, the prices go up to nearly $214 to $414 per tire. And remember to maintain those brakes. The price tag adds up quickly if you’re hitting the trails often and/or are covering the cost for the whole family. Keep in mind that maintenance and repair costs have surged in recent years, driven by rising prices across the economy.

For many, the upkeep costs may be too steep to handle without financing. The same applies to purchasing a new vehicle. According to the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index, anxiety about inflation, tariffs, and economic uncertainty is pushing consumer sentiment to its second-lowest level since the pandemic. Since January, sentiment has dropped by nearly 30 percent, with many Americans cutting back on discretionary spending.

But all hope of a powersports-filled summer isn’t lost. Like consumers, many dealerships may be feeling the squeeze as inflation rises and discretionary spending dips. However, many continue to be valuable resources for customers by showing them how, through financing, their services team can breathe new life into their existing vehicles. This includes financing everything from essential repairs and tune-ups to upgrades, new accessories, and even gas.

For small businesses that are not offering financing from companies such as Synchrony, this is the time to act. For businesses with existing programs, there is a good chance that many of your current and prospective customers are unaware that they can finance the upkeep of their vehicles. That means it’s time to begin promoting the full extent of these programs online and on-site in the dealership — in store windows, on the store floor, and more.

From there, educate your sales and services teams on the financing options. Make them your store’s financing experts, helping your customers understand how they can use these loans to maintain their current vehicles (and in doing so extend their lifespan) and upgrade accessories that may need replacement. For those riders with relatively new vehicles, be sure to educate them on the benefits of regular maintenance. For example, by financing more frequent tune-ups and replacing worn parts, riders can avoid more significant, and far more costly, repairs down the road. Financing can turn these proactive steps into easy-to-manage monthly payments, saving money and stress over the long haul.

This summer, powersports dealerships could be more than just a place to buy a new vehicle. They can become trusted partners in helping customers extend the life of the equipment they already own, allowing them to embark on their next getaway adventure and generate lasting memories.

Susan Medrano is the senior vice president and general manager at Synchrony Outdoors. With over 25 years of financial services experience, she leads Synchrony Outdoors within the Lifestyle platform. In this role, she provides general management and P&L accountability for Synchrony’s consumer business within the outdoors industries, including powersports and lawn and garden.

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