Seattle FUN

Fort Columbia with coastal strawberry and oyster and cranberry weekend trip

Fri, May 29 · 6:00 PM PDT

Location not specified yet

Description
Picture it: you sweep across the emerald span of the Astoria–Megler Bridge, the river flashing like hammered steel below. On the Washington side, Fort Columbia Historic State Park rises out of cedar and spruce—moss‑soft bunkers, parade lawns, and cliff‑edge lookouts where the Pacific breathes in and out like a living thing. The air tastes faintly of salt and fir. Gulls stitch white threads across the sky. You’ve reached the place where the river meets the ocean—and where the weekend slows into something timeless.

No cancellations for oyster closure
There is a chance of oyster closure. There is NO REFUND for that. Instead we will find alternative things to do near Fort Columbia

Gas and Food Costs and Sharing
Gas costs is negotiated within each car group ahead of the drive. Everyone should bring food and split costs for additional food bought. I encourage people to share part of each of our shellfish harvest as part of our communal experience.

Equipment to bring

1. License
2. Gloves for warmth before and after harvesting
3. Water
4. Change of Clothes
5. Cooking ingredients
6. ziploc bags for oysters
7. Food to share
8. Oyster shucking knife
9. Things you want to bring to lighthouse quarters

License
You will need to buy an annual shellfish license or a temporary combination license.

Regulations

1. Oyster

Coastal Strawberry Forage
We will forage for beach strawberries.

Vacation House Cost
The house costs $150 per person and there are 6 total spots. 5/19 is last day for a full refund and past that only $100 refund is available if someone can be found to take your spot.

Payment methods:
Make sure payment is for friends/family

• Zelle
• Paypal
• Venmo
• CashApp

Vacation House Info
Sleeping accommodations include one room with two queen-size beds, one room with one queen bed, one room with two twin beds, and one room with one twin bed. The spacious living room has three full-size futons, plush couches, Smart Roku TV and WiFi, and opens onto a large porch that faces an old-growth forest. The dining room is stately, and a modern, tiled kitchen offers a comfortable place to prepare culinary delights. No pets or smoking allowed. Cable is not provided.

Itinerary

1. Friday evening: Drive to Fort Columbia and get dinner on way
2. Saturday 6am(optional): Oyster Harvest
3. Saturday morning: Get brunch and look for wild coastal strawberry
4. Saturday 11am: Cranberry Museum Workshop
5. Saturday afternoon: Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum
6. Saturday evening: Visit Historic Fort Columbia Buildings and Museum
7. Sunday Morning: Illwaco Boardwalk
8. Sunday Afternoon: Go Home

Optional if they open: Waikiki Beach and North Jetty at Cape Disapointment and North Head Lighthouse at sunset

Carpool
Arrange Carpool on whatsapp.

Liability:
Filling this will be required

Costa Rica Eco Adventure: Waterfalls, Snorkeling, Zip lines, Rafting, Volcanoes!

Fri, Jun 5 · 7:00 PM PDT

Sea-Tac Airport (SEA), 17801 International Blvd,, Seattle, WA, US

¡¡¡ Pura Vida !!!

Come alone, leave with friends!
This is what Meetup is all about. Being able to join and do what you wanted to do . . just not alone.

We are going to Costa Rica for 9 nights/10 days of exploration and tropical adventures. . . . Best Meetup ever!!

To see how fun it is . . . Here are photos from when we did go before https://photos.app.goo.gl/cswRyeNZp1r6WW9t9

Costa Rica is a playground for the adventurous and an eco-tourist's dream! It is an unspoiled tropical paradise.

• Beautiful beaches
• Rainforest biodiversity
• Misty volcanoes
• Roaring rivers
• Lush jungles
• Exotic flora and fauna
• And more!!

And we are going there to enjoy it, learn about it and make memories of a lifetime!

This event is a true Meetup. We are creating it from scratch, and bringing like-minded people together on this adventure. Along the way making lifelong memories and friendships.

Together . . . let’s make a Meetup to remember!

• Hike around the base of the Arenal Volcano
• Selvatura Zip Line Canopy Tour
• Guided visit to Finca Luna Nueva Farm
• Caño Negro Refuge Tour/Visit
• Rio Frio Wildlife Refuge Boat Tour
• Hanging Bridges Walking Tour
• Ecotermales Hot Springs
• Monteverde Night Walk Tour
• Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Tour (daytime)
• River Floating Tour
• Tamarindo Beach
• Sunset Sailing
• Snorkeling Tour
• And more!

For a detailed Day By Day itinerary Click Here to fill out our info request form

Land Tour cost $3350 per person, double occupancy (we match roommates for those traveling solo, and most of us are doing just that).
If you want your own room: Solo occupancy additional $950
The only way to secure your spot for this meetup is a $300 deposit that is refundable up to 90 days before departure.
Click here for secure deposit link

When you make a deposit be sure to fill out this ATTENDEES FORM.
As we mentioned, . . . the cost is $3350. This is for the "Land" portion only. Airfare is not included. This gives you the flexibility to have a flight with timing that works best for you. Or to use points/miles.
I can also help arranging your airfare. To receive an offer, CLICK HERE and send me a message.

What is Included in this trip:

• 9 Nights hotel accommodation
• 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners.
• Meet & Greet at the airport.
• Pick-up from airport to our hotel, and hotel to airport at the end of the trip
• Transportation throughout the trip
• Private naturalist English speaking tour guide
• All entrance fees and tours mentioned in the itinerary day-by-day description
• Daily water bottles for the group
• Hotel and Added Value Tax

Does not include:
x International Airfare
x Meals other than specified
x Optional Tours
x All items of personal nature (telephone calls, Laundry, room service, etc.)
x Tipping for tour guides and drivers

Want more info?
Click Here to fill out our info request form

OR

RSVP to the event with your email to receive additional info.

OR

CLICK HERE to send me a message

Whatever is easiest for you!

Still have questions?
We do a Q & A Zoom once a month.
CLICK HERE for our Q & A Zoom. RSVP on that event to get a reminder for the zoom.

Click here for the MAIN location of this event on Meetup RSVP there to post any discussion and to get notice of any comments and discussions. As well as any updates and reminders

We believe in good decent social.

SOT 2000318-10

Click Here to see all our other events

Mt Kilimanjaro Trek! One of the 7 Summits ~ A Bucket List Adventure

Thu, Jun 18 · 7:00 PM PDT

Sea-Tac Airport (SEA), 17801 International Blvd,, Seattle, WA, US

Our Meetup is off to another hiking adventure! Mt Kilimanjaro, as the tallest mountain in Africa, is included in the 7 Summits of the world.
It is a bucket-list item for all hard-core hikers and mountain lovers.
We did this trek with Meetup in the summer of 2024 and it was a true experience of a lifetime (see photos below)

Let's get to some numbers. It is 5,895m/19,340ft

BUT . . . our starting elevation for the trek is 3795m/12541ft

As such elevation gain is 2100m/6799ft

To compare Everest Base Camp trek, is about 2754m/9035ft elevation change. And Mt Whitney is about 1828m/6000ft elevation change.

The key to being able to succeed in this endeavor lays in the route and the support system.

We are taking the Lemosho Route via the Northern Circuit. The Northern Circuit route is the longest and newest of the seven established Kilimanjaro routes. It's one of the best routes because it has the best acclimatization profile. This results in one of the highest summit success rates. Add to that stunning views, and comparatively relaxed pace. It is also much less crowded than the other Kilimanjaro routes.

As far as our support system: We will be accompanied by experienced guides, porters and cooks. They are certified, ensuring our safety and comfort. Porters will carry our gear.

We will have a high ratio of guides to hikers. Our guides will go our pace and support each and everyone of us, regardless of fitness level and pace. In other words...you go your own speed and we all get there safe.

More about our trek/trip.
As with all our international trips, we picked the best season/time of year to go for weather and wildlife. Lemosho and Northern Circuit is a scenically spectacular and varied route. At the lower elevations it has an abundance of wildlife such as elephant, buffalo, eland and lion which come over to forage during dry season.

Each of our trips is personally crafted to offer the best places and best use of time.

But I don't have the needed gear?!
You don't need much more than the standard trekker's equipment. We will provide you with a list of what is already included and what can be rented there.

Does this include food?
All meals on the trek potion are included and a cook travels with us!

What is lodging like?
We are sleeping in new and comfortable tents (carried during the day by porters)

I am new at this.
That's OK. We do plenty of prep Zooms before we depart. And in California we have a number of local outdoor day or weekend outings you can test out with us.

How dangerous is this? What if I get sick or hurt?
We will be walking on an established, well used trail the entire time. Our trip INCLUDES emergency insurance. We are also Certified Wilderness First Responders and our guides are members of (AMREF) Flying Doctor.
Plain and simple, safety is our primary goal.

How much does this cost?
Kilimanjaro Mountain Trek $3950 per person, double occupancy. Land only (airfare not included). Solo supplement $600

Trip Cost includes:
- 9 nights accommodation
- 3 meals everyday on the trek
- All Fees & Entrances and Taxes
- Camping equipment such as tents, tables, chairs.
- Lead Guide, Assistant Guides, Porters and Cook

RSVP to this event shows your interest, but does not hold your space.
The only way to secure your spot for this trip is a $300 deposit:
CLICK HERE FOR SECURE DEPOSIT LINK
Deposit is refundable up to 90 days before the departure (less PayPal fees).

IF you need an airfare quote, Click here to message Anna
For more information about this or any of our other international events, fill out this form: INTERNATIONAL MEETUPS INFO REQUEST

To see pictures from our Kilimanjaro adventure in 2024 CLICK HERE

We do a monthly Q & A Zoom: Meet others attending, be social, or come and get any questions answered.
Click Here to RSVP to our Zoom

The MAIN location where this event is posted:
https://www.meetup.com/moretoexplore/events/302872805/
(RSVP there for any conversation and comments)

This events is cross posted to several other groups and the number of RSVPs on each is not reflective. We have a set of sister groups where we post our local free, local/regional camping, and our overseas events too.

Click Here for our other events:

Live the adventure instead of only dreaming it!

SOT 200318-10