blog.mattgoyer.com » Random

Partying on Shasta Island at Crescent Bar

Matt Goyer — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 04:57:53 +0000

This past Friday we ditched Seattle’s non-summer and headed east over the mountains to Sunserra at Crescent Bar, just a few hours outside of Seattle. ResortWorks hooked us up with two great places right on the golf course (the fence was perfect for late night planking).

The big highlight of Crescent Bar (if you’re not into golfing or wine) is the beach at Shasta Island aka Pastie Beach. However, to get there you need a boat, and alas, I sold my boat. Fortunately you can rent one, so we got a party barge from Pro Touch Jet Ski Rental (trust me, boat rental looks expensive but it is so much cheaper than ownership! I really want a fractional boat ownership program in Seattle). I met them Saturday morning, with a slight hangover, as it was just starting to rain. Wait, isn’t it supposed to always be sunny in Eastern Washington!?

Fortunately the rain held off as we loaded up the boat and headed south to Shasta Island.

It was a little mellow because of the weather. But it can get crazy! Check out this time lapse video from labor day weekend last year:

From planking:

To owling:

To games:

To running down sand dunes:

We had a blast!

When you’re not partying on Shasta Island the other place to hang out is the only bar in town, The Sandtrap, which attracts all sorts of characters. And on Saturday night there is a mechanical bull (I’m still bruised.)

To recover from Saturday’s craziness we lounged at the pool.

Thanks to Chels for organizing!

Mount Rainier Climbing Options

Matt Goyer — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 06:04:59 +0000

Every year I swear I’ll climb Mount Rainier hoping by if some miracle that the trip will arrange itself. This year, I had been hoping the same thing but then recently a few friends and I have been emailing about what our options are so perhaps it will happen.

Here are our options as I understand them:

Guided trip with one of the big guide companies RMI, AAI, IMG
- 3-4 days
- ~$1000
- Notes: only a few dates left with each company, differences between companies not clear, supposedly if you live in Seattle you should really find a guide
Guided trip with a smaller outfit like Northwest Mountain School
- 5 days
- $2000
Climb For Clean Air (really RMI)
- 3 days
- Fundraise ~$4000
Learn how to mountaineer
- BOEAlps
  - 14 lectures, 12 outings then arrange your own trip
  - $300
  - Notes: their basic climbing class has already started :(
- Washington Alpine Club‘s Basic Climbing Class ($325)
- Bushwhacker Climbing Club‘s Basic Glacier Climbing Course
- Mountaineers
- Cascade Glacier School (free)
Find someone to take us up
- How!? This is the preferred option but unclear how to find someone to take a few newbies up.

Seattle Times has an article about this too, The lowdown on mountain guides (and a few good tips).

Four who climbed Rainier: Tips from first-timers.

Family Coming to Seattle – What To Do?

Matt Goyer — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 05:27:16 +0000

My sisters and dad (who live in Winnipeg) are visiting next weekend and I’m wondering how to entertain them… They’ll be driving down from Vancouver during the day, likely stopping at all the outlet malls along the way, may still want to do more shopping in Seattle either Saturday or Sunday, then Monday they’re driving back and contemplating swinging by La Push (which would be the furthest side trip ever…). While here Saturday and Sunday I need some more ideas though considering that they’ve all been to Seattle once or twice before, but not recently. This is what I’ve got so far:

Stuff your face breakfast options: Portage Bay Cafe
Other breakfast options (on the Hill): Barrio
Dinner options (looking for very Seattle options): Etta’s? Anchovy and Olive? Tavolata?
Activity options: day trip to Rainier (Paradise), ferry ride to Bainbridge, sailing at wooden boat club, float plane ride, the market, monorail ride to Seattle Center, Smith Tower, Museum of Flight,…?

Bookmarks for September 2nd

Matt Goyer — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:00:14 +0000

These are my links for August 25th through September 2nd:

500 Internal Server Error – 500 Internal Server Error
500 Internal Server Error – 500 Internal Server Error
SCVNGR’s Secret Game Mechanics Playdeck –

Bookmarks for August 22nd

Matt Goyer — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 08:00:01 +0000

These are my links for August 22nd from 19:34 to 22:13:

Factory Efficiency Comes to the Hospital – NYTimes.com –
ESSENTIAL Square Wall Dimmer – Fabric light switch.
Calm before the storm – The Globe and Mail –
How to Give Great Speeches – Forbes.com –

Bookmarks for August 22nd

Matt Goyer — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 02:03:06 +0000

These are my links for August 11th through August 22nd:

Form Plus Function – Contemporary Lighting For Your Home and Office. Modern and Contemporary Home Lighting
500 Internal Server Error – 500 Internal Server Error
500 Internal Server Error – 500 Internal Server Error

Bookmarks for August 3rd

Matt Goyer — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 08:00:00 +0000

These are my links for August 3rd from 11:30 to 11:43:

Bookmarks for August 2nd

Matt Goyer — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 08:00:00 +0000

These are my links for August 2nd from 09:24 to 09:26:

Bookmarks for July 26th

Matt Goyer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:02:42 +0000

These are my links for July 15th through July 26th:

Bookmarks for June 7th

Matt Goyer — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 18:00:21 +0000

These are my links for May 26th through June 7th: