edibleportland.com | 5 On a late fall morning, shortly after the end of Daylight Savings Time, I find myself beginning to dread the six-month onslaught of rain that is all but guaranteed to be coming for Portland. Bravely taking a peek at my Weather app, I see a promise of no sunshine for the next ten days. Rather than descend into madness, as I may or may not have done in previous years, I vow to take a different approach to winter: lean in. This year, I promise myself that I will take advantage of the many cozy places the Pacific Northwest has to offer—places best enjoyed during the cold and rainy months. Let's face it: winter in the Pacific Northwest can be a slog. Even for those who enjoy the rain, there are only so many cold and drizzly gray days one can take before one begins to question their own sanity. But what our fair corner of the world lacks in sunshine, it more than makes up for in hygge (the Danish concept for coziness made popular in America in recent years). Getting through the winter unscathed calls for some forethought: what will an average weekend look like for someone who needs a little warmth in their life in mid-January? For me, surviving the winter doldrums requires the perfect balance of escapism and acceptance. My ideal weekend consists of leaning into the weather with some outdoor adventure, followed by cozying up with comfort food, a tasty beverage, and a good book. If weather permits, I’d take a trip up to Snow Peak Campfield. A recent addition to Long Beach, WA, this Japanese-style camping experience offers luxe lodging in cabins, Jyubako Suites, to meet all your cozy needs. Each of these minimalist cabins provides access to a Takibi grill, a portable and leaveno-trace take on a campfire, which can be used to cook meals or simply add to the ambiance of your stay. A market and all-day café offer essentials and luxury goods, promising extra ease and convenience. But Snow Peak's most enticing offering must be the Ofuro Spa, inspired by traditional Japanese bathhouses. Rather than fight against nature, this spa encourages us to "invite nature in" via sweeping views of surrounding trees and a bespoke wooden interior. The perfect recipe for a hot soak, cold plunge, and dry sauna is sure to warm even the weariest spirits in the dead of winter. But while I dream of such blissful luxury, I know the average weekend will be spent right here in town, eating and drinking my way through some of my favorite local spots. Portland is home to no shortage of spas and bathhouses like Everett House, Knot Springs, and Common Ground Wellness Cooperative, to name a few. But when I’ve had my fill of holistic wellness and relaxation, sometimes there is nothing better than settling in with a pint of beer and a good meal at a cozy local bar. No winter weekend is complete without a trip to Kay’s in Sellwood. If you look it up on Google Maps, you’ll see “stalwart pub with roller derby viewings” in the description. While roller derby has less to do with the bar’s culture these days, “a stalwart pub” remains the perfect description for this cozy spot open since 1934. Vintage hurricane glass lamps cast a warm glow over dark wood paneling and oversized leather booths while old-school, light-up beer ads line the walls. You'd be hard-pressed to find a bar that exudes more hygge in all Snow Peak and Other Cozy Places By Jocelyn Miner and images by Edible Portland
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