The New Year Beach

As we approach the big holidays I tend to get really overwhelmed. The hustle and bustle of making sure every present is done getting wrapped, the kids getting out of school for multiple weeks at a time can be massively daunting. Especially when you have two very hyperactive kiddos with autism. So last year I got impulsive because of being stir crazy. I don't know if it was the sugar they consumed, or the shear boredness they were experiencing. I just knew I had to do something.

It rains a ton in Washington state, so there's only peak times to go do stuff outside and normally January is not one of them. But on this particular cold and very sunny day, I pulled out my hiking guide and came across Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve. I wanted something sort of close by but easily accessible for my kids. And I wanted the OCEAN and all it's rugged coast line.

Washington state is not known for sandy beaches. If you want more of that coast line head further south to Oregon, specifically Canon Beach or Ecola State Park. Washington is a different type of beauty that I don't think people fully grasp unless you come here. It's so calming, and this little spot is a hidden gem if you ever wander into Whatcom County up near Bellingham.

The actual hike it's self is only 0.7 miles in to the beach, so it's not a super long or hard hike. And it's 2 miles of beach. I never once felt like there were people on top of us, so there's definitely plenty of space. The elevation gain is only 100 feet. The only part that sucked was the stairs and getting back up into the trail but once on it, it's a straight shot back to your car.

You need to pack in and pack out. There's only porta potties outside the trail, so no normal bathrooms. Plan accordingly, and unfortunately here you cannot bring your fur friends.

This is definitely a really accessible trail, and is perfect for all age ranges. What's really cool is when you look out you'll see the Strait of Georgia to the San Juan and Gulf Islands. You will also see alot of Bald Eagles out here! On this day we went and saw 3 in one spot. It was wild, and something my oldest son talks about to this day.

Looking back on this expedition, I realized it's what catapulted us into checking out new places this year in 2024. In total we visited 35 places this year both locally and not so local!

I realized through this experience how much getting into nature helps my mental health a ton. Intern we would find ourselves going on hikes all the time, camping, and just getting out of the apartment. I saw how much it helped the kids too. We would leave and I find them so centered and calm, and they always have so many cool stories to share at school from our finds. To the point where my oldest son is using his stories about us camping in his english assignments at school for creative writing.

I never travelled much growing up. Infact prior to moving to Washington I had only ever gone camping once, it was back when I was 4 years old. So now that I am an adult doing these things, the coolest part of all of this is that I am experiencing these new experiences in real time with my kids. That is beyond special, knowing that we are all experiencing this cool moment together.

By being in nature we disconnect from technology and have conversations. I realize now in our society the things that were created to bring us together often times is the thing that's keeping us apart. It's extremely difficult now to regulate our feelings because we are constantly bombarded by things in society. Kids are constantly on tablets or addicted to YouTube, Fortnite, etc.

So here's something I want to challenge you. Spend your New Years partly outside and connect with nature if you can. I know in many cultures there's superstitions of what to do like eating grapes under a table or wearing different colored underwear. What if I challenged you and your family to get out into nature? It doesn't have to be a long time. But just to pause and take a moment to evaluate what's important to you.

Evaluate your goals. In this experience at the beach I just bundled up the kids and took my journal and wrote out everything I wanted for the year and truth be told it was adventure. It was to be present, and that's exactly what I got from the universe. I got the gift of constant reinforcement of being present. Reminders to love my children and to be kind to myself in my failures. Because of this trip to the beach I saw I wanted so much more out of life.

And honestly I hope that in this year we will see so much more in the coming 2025 year. I have a list of places to check out! What's cool is I do photography at the same time and then use the photos I take like the ones here, and bring them to my out patient therapy group at the VA.

Being in nature has really rehabilitated me after having a mental health episode in 2021. It's been a long ride, but I'm glad I'm finally at a place where the kids and I are back together and just experiencing life together in real time.

And truthfully, this state alone has blessed me in more ways than I can account for with experiences I won't ever forget. And if you need help on locating good trails to check out I would look and see if you have a local REI or Basspro. Typically these stores have alot of different trail books that can be resourceful. Or even better- and hear me out INSTAGRAM. Instagram has been a huge source of information for local things in Washington. Because it's filled with hidden gems, and can visually help you see what to look for!

I hope whatever life brings you in 2025 that you will take a chance on nature and just see the lessons that will come if you allow them!

-Kayla

For more travel insights on Washington state and other various family adventure updates consider subscribing to us! My whole mission is to bring awareness to parenting kiddos with autism. And that it's entirely possible to live a life full of adventure. Nature is for EVERYONE. *Please note any tips sent will be put towards gas money and various passes that are needed for Washington state.* -Kayla