Last month, we made our way back to the Pacific Northwest to celebrate the July 4th weekend with Ally’s family on beautiful Tyee Beach, nestled on Camano Island. After a hot and humid Florida summer, the weather was an absolute dream—clear skies, highs in the upper 70s, and crisp, cool nights that reminded us exactly why we love PNW summers.
Crabbing for Dungeness!
We kicked off our trip with a classic tradition: crabbing! Each morning we dropped our pots and by midday, we had hit our Dungeness crab limits. There’s something so satisfying about pulling up a pot full of fresh crab—nothing beats that feeling. The rest of the day was spent relaxing with family, enjoying beach walks, and catching up while soaking in the laid-back island vibe.
July 4th Celebration
Day two was the highlight of the weekend—Independence Day! The morning kicked off with the annual Camano Island boat parade, a beloved tradition where local boats decked out in red, white, and blue cruise past the beach, waving and cheering. The energy was contagious and patriotic spirit was alive and well. Later that afternoon, the family gathered for our annual beer pong tournament—a competitive and hilarious event with bragging rights on the line. As evening settled in, we set up chairs and blankets along the beach for a front-row seat to a stunning fireworks show that lit up the Sound. The colorful reflections dancing on the water were absolutely magical and made for an unforgettable July 4th.
Final Day at Tyee Beach
On day three, we took some time to slow down and savor the beauty around us. The views from Tyee Beach were nothing short of spectacular—snow-capped mountains in the distance, sailboats drifting by, and bald eagles soaring overhead. We spent the day catching up with family, laughing around the campfire, and diving into a spontaneous hot sauce tasting that had everyone reaching for cold drinks. That evening, we hosted our own little seafood fest, featuring the fresh Dungeness crab we had caught and local oysters grilled to perfection right on the beach. Add in some drawn butter, lemon, and a chilled glass of rosé, and you’ve got a PNW feast to remember.
As we packed up on day four, we couldn’t help but feel a little sentimental. Summer in the Pacific Northwest is something truly special—simple, serene, and centered around family, food, and nature. Being back on Camano Island filled our hearts with so much joy and nostalgia. We’re already counting down the days until we can return next year. Until then, we’ll be dreaming of cool beach nights, salt air, and a pot full of crab.
As always, thank you for following our journey. Please take a moment to subscribe to our blog and our YouTube channel (see video below). Follow us on social @BoatingJourney #BoatingJourney. We’re headed to Portugal the first week of August, so we are excited to bring that journey to you.
Cheers, Scott and Ally