In just a few short years, the Tucker family has transformed the Sandy Cove Inn from a timeworn motor lodge into a stylish and comfortable boutique motel with the spirit of a B&B. Each of the Inn’s 18 comfy, uber-clean rooms boasts a unique decorating scheme—from the whimsical “Monopoly” and “Wave” rooms with hand-painted wall murals to the “Garden” and “Country Charm” rooms that highlight French artwork and décor collected at Parisian shops and flea markets by Ann Tucker, an antiques dealer and the Inn’s family decorator. Likewise, managers Mike and Betsy Tucker bring natural enthusiasm and expertise from their former advertising and culinary fields to give their guests a personalized, concierge-like experience. From their carefully vetted “Restaurant Guide” of top local eateries to a fun “Doggie Bag” welcoming gift for four-legged guests, it’s these sorts of little, unexpected extras that have quickly made the Sandy Cove Inn one of Seaside’s best-loved lodging values.

The Inn is also well-situated, just a block from the beach and the 1.8-mile paved Promenade boardwalk, but on the much quieter side of the strip away from the cluster of high-rise hotels and condos. Across the street, the local favorite Ken & Sons “Super Friendly” Select Market provides a convenient stop for snacks and drinks on the way to the beach, or guests can grab a burger, microbrew or legendary “Mermaid’s Purse” made of spiced fish, rice and vegetables steamed in parchment pouches at the family-oriented U Street Pub & Eatery.

Seaside, Oregon:  Historic Coastline Where Mountains & Rivers Meet the Sea

“More than just a day at the beach” is the well-deserved motto of the City of Seaside, reflected in the year-round activities available beyond its infamous stretch of sandy coastline. At low tide, try your hand at clamming or crabbing along the shore. Other popular family activities nearby include amusement rides and bumper cars, plus the West Coast’s oldest aquarium with seal shows and touch tank. Outdoor enthusiasts will also appreciate the numerous hiking trails within a short distance, including the Tillamook Head trailhead out of Seaside (at the end of Ocean Vista Drive)—the lesser-known, back entrance to the beautiful Ecola State Park with no day-use fees. Follow in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark as you amble along the winding Clatsop Loop Trail through ancient Sitka spruce trees with majestic coastal views, near the historic Salt Works site of the Corps of Discovery. From December to April, the trail’s scenic promontories also make for ideal spots to view migrating gray whales as they swim past Seaside twice a year on their way to and from their homes in northerly Arctic waters.

Sandy Cove Inn
241 Avenue U
Seaside, Oregon 97138

Reservations: 503-738-7473 – www.sandycoveinn.net

AMENITIES

Free Wi-Fi

Concierge service for local attractions & restaurants

Complimentary coffee service in lobby & rooms

Pet-friendly rooms & designated pet area

Free parking

The Travel Channel and Leopard Films USA, producers of hit shows such as “House Hunters International,” is looking to cast couples ages 30-50 (with kids and without) who are planning to take a vacation to the US Virgin Islands in February.

By participating in this show, you’ll be able to test out 3 different kinds of ways of experiencing one of these locales. Our expert tour guide will be taking you around to different hotels, accommodations and resorts while explaining the pros and cons of each so that you can eventually select your favorite option and head off on your dream vacation!

Apply to Danielle Gretz at Travel Channel – query-1rxj@helpareporter.net – by 1/2/12 with the following information:

-Name
-Contact numbers (home, cell, work)
-Email
-Location (city and state)
-Age
-Please include photos of everyone going on vacation
-Who you’ll be traveling with (kids, husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend) as well as their names and ages

-Why do you want to go to one of these places?
-Have you ever been to before?
-Do you like to chill by the pool, surf in the ocean, go on adventures, lay by the beach, go sightsteeing, party, etc.?
-Do the people you’re going with like to do different things than you? Is there ever any conflict?
-What is your max budget for this trip?
-How do you think The Travel Channel could help you and your family/partner have your dream vacation?

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If you’re interested in learning about similar future opportunities or getting free PR for your business or services, there’s no better resource than HARO/Help a Reporter. Journalists are always in need of experts and sources — sign up for HARO’s free 3x daily newsletter to see the latest news trends in your industry. Peter Shankman is a network marketing genius.

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Sound interesting? Here’s 7 sites to check out:

To meet the needs of visitors and help manage and protect park resources, the National Park Service hires approximately 10,000 temporary and seasonal employees annually.

Coolworks and About.com have compiled a listing of the best National Park jobs, from Mount Rushmore to The Grand Canyon, plus other useful information to help you with your job search.

A+ Summer Jobs is aimed at recent college graduates. Requires free membership to access employer info.

Also geared toward students is the SCA, or Student Conservation Association. Interns are hired to protect and restore national parks, marine sanctuaries, cultural landmarks and community green spaces in all 50 states.

Yellowstone National Park hires about 3,500 seasonal employees each year from all 50 states and 35 countries around the globe.

Interested in cultural preservation? The Preservation Directory lists opportunities in historic preservation, building restoration, museum employment, architecture, urban planning, and other related fields.

The unspoken motto: Make unemployment, “funemployment.”

There are currently more than 2,000 monasteries, abbeys and other retreat centers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Although most are linked to a religious order, retreatants need not be of that particular faith – or even particularly religious – to participate. The two most popular types of retreats are:

• Personal: time on your own with voluntary participation in the daily rituals of prayer services, work life or the full monastic schedule, usually with access to a spiritual guide or mentor.
• Thematic: group sessions that often include speakers, workshops and discussion centered around a theme or activity, such as creative writing, mindful eating or meditation.

Although a few – especially international – monasteries only allow men or married couples, most American and Canadian retreat centers are open to every gender, marital status, nationality and religious belief not exclusive to their own.

Zen & the art of mind maintenance. I chose the Great Vow Zen Monastery for my own personal retreat, located near Oregon’s lush Columbia River Basin with stunning views of Mount St. Helens en route. Led by ordained Zen teachers Hogen Bays and Jan Chozen Bays Roshi, the former elementary-school-turned-monastery adheres to a 2500-year-old traditional Buddhist schedule, which I quickly folded into.

The day began at 3:50 a.m. with the clanging of a handheld school bell; the monks and I assembled shortly thereafter in the zendo (meditation room) for a pre-dawn Zazen meditation session. The remainder of the day was a succession of formal (predominantly silent) meals, liturgy, temple cleaning, rest periods, work practice/workshop activities and an evening Zazen, followed by “lights out” at 10 p.m.

I predicted the grounds to be beautiful and the schedule challenging – and I was right on both counts. However, I didn’t anticipate that the resident monks would be so warm and helpful – even humorous at times – and that among their comforting presence and powerful meditative energies, I would finally be able to quiet my own overactive mind for the very first time.

What to expect. Retreat accommodations range from dormitory-like quarters to spartan singles with shared bathrooms, from around $25 to $100 per night (or more for a specific retreat and materials), usually presented in the form of a donation. In addition, retreatants will often be asked to make up their own beds – or change the linens for the next arriving guest.

Most retreat centers offer self-serve coffee and tea service. Three meals a day are standard, most likely to be healthy, vegetarian fare prepared with produce grown on-site. However, some may only offer food service during select retreats. It is always wise to discuss meal specifics before you go, especially if you have special food requests or allergies.

No TVs, radios or cell phones. Most centers have an office phone that can be offered as an emergency contact number.

Expect to have a calming, uplifting experience, but don’t expect miracles – especially on your first retreat. “The most important item people can bring with them is an open mind,” notes Hogen Bays. “Many people arrive expecting the environment to deliver the experience for them; sure, the retreat can be the catalyst, but real change and true enlightenment can only come from within.”

Find a retreat near you. The following sites offer listings and descriptions for retreat centers in the U.S. and Canada, some with location, cost, activity and gender-specific search tools.

Find the Divine: findthedivine.com

Retreat Finder: retreatfinder.com

Retreats International: retreatsintl.org

eXpand retreats: expandretreats.com

NARDA: nardacenters.org