TravelMorgan Stone GretherTacoma, Washington, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, travel

Tacoma: Day One of the "Instafam" Tour

TravelMorgan Stone GretherTacoma, Washington, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, travel
Tacoma: Day One of the "Instafam" Tour

For Travel Tacoma and Visit Rainier, five of us bloggers/instagrammers took part in an "instafam" tour of the greater Tacoma and Mt. Rainier areas in July 2016. Here is a look at the first day, which includes flying there, checking into the hotel, walking around Tacoma (including a stop at the lovely little Tacoma Art Museum), and having a nice group dinner together at the Hub.

Matt Wakefield was our guide from Travel Tacoma. Participants in the tour along with me were: 

Nice person in Portland, Oregon, and beyond.

TravelMorgan Stone Gretherpoint defianceFive-Mile Drive, point defiance, Tacoma, Washington, pugent sound, raccoon, Mount Rainier, owen beach, beach, ocean, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, travel

Tacoma, Day 2: Five-Mile Drive in Point Defiance, July 2016

For Travel Tacoma and Visit Rainier, five of us bloggers/instagrammers took part in an "instafam" tour of the greater Tacoma and Mt. Rainier areas in July 2016. Here is the first of several blog posts about the trip. One of the true must-sees when you're in Tacoma is the Five-Mile Drive through Point Defiance Park. You'll find hiking and biking trails through lush forest; you'll relax on serene Owen Beach with wonderful views of Pugent Sound and Mt. Rainier alike; you'll see thriving wildlife... particularly raccoons (one of my favorite animals). 

TravelMorgan Stone Gretherpoint defianceFive-Mile Drive, point defiance, Tacoma, Washington, pugent sound, raccoon, Mount Rainier, owen beach, beach, ocean, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, travel
Tacoma, Day 2: Five-Mile Drive in Point Defiance, July 2016
TravelMorgan Stone GretherJohn "Cinque" Synco, gondolier, gondola, Gig Harbor, Washington, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, Tacoma, boat, ocean

Tacoma, Day 2: Gig Harbor Gondolier

The second day of the July 2016 Travel Tacoma and Visit Rainier "instafam" tour was packed. The first thing (after breakfast at the Hotel Murano and checking out) in the morning we went to Gig Harbor, Washington, and met John "Cinque" Synco and his authentic Venetian gondola, Nelly. He runs Gig Harbor Gondola. John rowed us around the tranquil harbor, singing us Venetian songs and giving us a detailed history of gondoliers in America. Pretty great stuff! And the weather was truly perfect, as I think you can see from my photos below.

TravelMorgan Stone GretherJohn "Cinque" Synco, gondolier, gondola, Gig Harbor, Washington, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, Tacoma, boat, ocean
Tacoma, Day 2: Gig Harbor Gondolier
TravelMorgan Stone GretherHeritage Distilling CompanyHeritage Distilling Company, distillery, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, travel

Tacoma Day 2: Heritage Distilling Company

In between singing gondola rides and a tour of the Gig Harbor Museum, it was a very busy morning for our "instafam" tour, but we managed to squeeze in a tour and tasting at the Heritage Distilling Company, It is, in their own words, "the most awarded craft distillery in North American by the American Distilling Institute 3 years in a row (2014, 2015 and 2016)." Read more about them on their press page. Pretty cool stuff! Anyway, it is quite an impressive operation there at the distillery, and their spirits are smooth and flavorful, leaning toward the sweet side, which is just the way I like it. We tasted most of their spirits, and my favorite is the award-winning brown sugar bourbon. Definitely check it out sometime.  

TravelMorgan Stone GretherHeritage Distilling CompanyHeritage Distilling Company, distillery, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, travel
Tacoma Day 2: Heritage Distilling Company
TravelMorgan Stone GretherLogging Museum at Mt. Rainier RailroadWashington, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum, Mount Rainier

Rainier Day 1: Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum

Continuing my coverage of my July 2016 adventures for Travel Tacoma and Visit Rainier... On the first day of the Mount Rainier section of the "instafam" trip, we stopped in Mineral, Washington, at the Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum where we got a private tour and learned a ton about steam engines and logging practices. Pretty darn fascinating. And gave me new appreciation for how hard the work was.

TravelMorgan Stone GretherLogging Museum at Mt. Rainier RailroadWashington, Tacoma-Rainier Tour 2016, Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum, Mount Rainier
Rainier Day 1: Mt. Rainier Railroad and Logging Museum