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My Dogs are out of their Element: What to Do?

Ah, the Honda Element. A vehicle so thoughtfully designed for active lifestyles, it should have come with a lifetime supply of hiking boots and granola bars. For more than a decade and over 300,000 miles, my Element served as a trusty steed for countless adventures with my canine companions, Bruno and Matilda. With its boxy build and ingenious "double dutch doors" that opened wide to accommodate even the most enthusiastic doggy leaps, the Element was a masterpiece in ergonomic pet transport.

The Joys of Winter Frolicking (and Not Freezing My Biscuits Off) in Kitsap County

Now, I ain't one to shirk a little hard work, mind you. But when the wind howls like a banshee and the snow's piled higher than a stack of pancakes at a lumberjack breakfast, my enthusiasm for outdoor recreation tends to wane somethin' fierce. But then I remember the joys of winter frolicking in good ol' Kitsap County, and that roaring beast of a RAM 2500 sittin' proud in my driveway, and suddenly, I'm itching to get outside.

The first glimmer of a bruised and bleary New Year's Day sun peeked through the drapes, rousing the young cubs from their slumber. A cacophony of tiny claws erupted against the bedroom door, a battle cry demanding adventure in the name of the nascent year. Angela, my ever-resourceful mate, bore the marks of a skirmish fought well against the encroaching hours. With mugs of steaming black potion brewed by the faithful electric beast in the kitchen and a fistful of that wonder drug called aspirin to soothe the throbbing temples, we prepared to face the day's onslaught.

​Listen. Christmas is supposed to be about peace on Earth, goodwill towards men, and maybe a side of eggnog. But in my family, it's about our annual Christmas Dinner Quest. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure novel, but instead of fighting a dragon, we're fighting over whether or not to eat oysters.

Twas two weeks before Christmas, and all through the car,
Not a creature was grumbling, near or far.
The Pacifica gleamed, a silver delight,
New from West Hills, a pre-holiday sight.

Eloise, her nose buried deeper into that backpacking guide than a truffle pig rooting for mushrooms, barely grunted an acknowledgment when I fired up the trusty steed, a 1999 Volkswagen Eurovan MV, affectionately nicknamed "The Wanderer." Its boxy exterior, painted a cheerful shade of ivory, stood out amidst the sea of sleek sedans on the highway.

"Just unlock, pop the top, and boom – instant adventure palace."

A crisp autumn breeze swirled fallen leaves with a serene rustle and crunch around our quaint little home. Inside, however, the scene was a symphony of shrieks. My wife, Julie, cradled one of the twins – Seth or Maddie, it scarcely mattered at this point – their tiny faces contorted in an operatic wail. The other, nestled in their shared crib, was conducting this morning's orchestra

The late afternoon sun dipped below the Bremerton skyline, casting an orange glow across the gleaming paint of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler in unapologetic Tuscadero pink. I grinned at Sarah, my best friend since high school, who was fiddling with the radio. "This thing practically roars, doesn't it?" I remarked, feeling the rumble of the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine beneath us. 

Ahoy, Sailors! Welcome to Kitsap!

From the hills above the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, we extend a hearty welcome to the brave men and women of the USS Ronald Reagan and USS Nimitz!

The sun, a tired old orange, hung low in the sky, casting long, smokey shadows across the West Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram lot. I took the keys to a 2024 Jeep Compass, a fiery red beast that promised a day of adventure, a day to escape the concrete jungle.