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One of our favorite seasons is here – it’s spooky season! There’s nothing better than telling a great scary story by the campfire. And, there’s no place better for a wonderful campfire and some downtime with your loved ones than at the Kabino!

But, there are so many great ghost stories out there – how do you find the right one?! We’ve put together some of our favorite ones to tell by the fireside and put them right in this blog. One that is a bit innocent, then a couple that are a little more frightening!  We hope you enjoy them and are able to spin some tales by the fire this fall at the Kabino!

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The Impish Ghost

My neighbor Diane and I had a playful poltergeist for years, and we called it Billy. I’d come home and find something put in a weird place: milk in a cupboard, toilet paper in the fridge, laundry detergent in the bathtub.

Diane once called to ask if Billy had been around, because she couldn’t find a gallon of milk.

We finally found it outside on her back steps. And sugar … darn sugar! Every morning, my sugar bowl was empty.

When I had enough, I’d point to Diane’s home and yell, “Go see Diane!” Within five minutes, I’d get a call from her, and she’d say “Thanks a lot,” because he’d gone and pulled shenanigans at her place.

This occurred for the entire two years we lived there. No one believed us – not even our husbands. My mother thought someone was stealing from us when we were sleeping or out of the house. My sister believed something was going on but didn’t know what. I still can’t explain any of it.

The Eerie Attic

A few years ago, I moved into a one-bedroom apartment in Melbourne, Australia; it was my first time living on my own. The apartment block had been built in the 1930s. I’d been there for a few months when I came home from work one day and went into the bathroom.

I saw something strange: The wooden board covering a hole in the ceiling that led to a small attic space lay broken in two pieces on the ground. I examined the broken pieces. The board was an inch thick, and it would have taken a Bruce Lee to break it. I thought the landlord had sent someone to work on the attic. I was frozen stiff with fear. I thought someone was up there for sure.

I e-mailed pictures to the landlord asking if anyone had been there (with an undertone of annoyance, since she hadn’t warned me). Her reply read, “Please call me as soon as you are able to.” I called, and she explained that her last two tenants had said the same thing happened. She promised to replace the board, and she did. A month later, I woke up one night around 4 a.m. I had so many goose bumps, it felt like someone was rubbing his or her hands on me.

Everything was silent, but then I heard this sound coming from above my bed. It was a dragging sound, like someone pulling a sack of potatoes. I was frozen stiff with fear. I thought someone was up there for sure. There is no way an animal could make that sound. After five minutes, I managed to work up the courage to turn on the light and walk to the bathroom. I was armed with a baseball bat. When I looked, I saw that the new board covering the hole was broken in two! I felt sick. The dragging sound had stopped. But I heard something else—whispering.

The sound was clear and coming from the attic. It sounded like children’s voices, and I could hear one sentence repeated over and over:

“It’s your turn … It’s your turn …” I switched on every light in the apartment to make things feel normal. It was 5 a.m. and dark outside.

I watched TV to try to unwind. Then a fuse blew. My pet budgie, Dexter, whom I kept in the kitchen, usually never made a sound at night, but he started squawking like he was being strangled. I’d never heard him make those sorts of noises – he was screaming. I grabbed my car keys, ran out, sat in my car, and waited there until the sun came up.

When I saw people walking their dogs, this comforted me enough to go back in. The front door was open, but I thought I hadn’t closed it when I’d run out. I went to the kitchen to check on Dexter, and he wasn’t in his cage – I felt sick again. All my windows were closed, so I looked everywhere inside. When I walked to the bathroom, I heard splashing. Dexter was in the toilet! I 

took him out, washed him, and dried him. I was so confused.

At 8 a.m., I called the landlord and gave her a watered-down version of the night. “Oh, wow, you heard the whispering too!” she said. I stayed in that apartment for another 18 months. I heard the whispering on a few occasions, and twice the board covering the hole in the ceiling moved. Although I moved away, the landlord recently called me. She said that her new tenants had begged to speak with me about some of the stuff that’s been going on there. Seems that whatever was with me in that place is still hanging around!

The Boy With No Eyes

One night when I was ten, I was awakened by my bedroom door opening, followed by someone sitting on my bed. I felt my leg grazed and the bed sink under a person’s weight. Thinking it was my mom, I opened my eyes to see an eyeless boy (he had black empty sockets) about my age sitting at the foot of my bed. He extended his hand, and in it was a little box.

I was startled but reached out. He pulled back. I reached again and said, “Give it.” Then I blinked, and when I reopened my eyes, he was gone, but the imprint of someone sitting on my bed was present.

Fast-forward a few years. My girlfriend came over to do homework. After she finished, she took a nap while she waited for her parents. When they arrived, I tried waking her up. She opened her eyes suddenly, looking up at a corner where the wall met the ceiling. She pointed there and went back to sleep. I shook her again. She came to full consciousness, and I explained what she’d done. She said, “Up on the wall, I saw a little boy with no eyes. He was there in a Spider-Man pose, staring at me.” I freaked out and told her my story about the same kid.

Fast-forward another few years, and now we had a two-year-old. We were living in my parents’ house, in my old room. My daughter started waking up at the same time every night, and she’d talk. After a while, I noticed she had almost the same conversation every night. I playfully asked her once whom she was talking to. She said, “It’s a little boy. He’s nice. He’s lost and looking for his mommy.  And there is something wrong with his eyes.”  

Chills shot down my spine, as I knew that she too was experiencing the same thing I had so many years ago.  We moved to another place soon after, and the “visits” ceased at that point.  But still, to this day, probably every couple of months I’ll sit straight up out of a deep sleep and catch my breath, afraid that the little boy will be on the bed again.  

A vacation can be more than just for relaxation and exploring the sites.  It can be a great way to get in some learning as well! We have Kabinos located in some stunning and unique places – perfect for learning about the environment, about our country, and about a variety of topics in the sciences and beyond. We’ve put together a couple of our favorite spots and resources that are perfect for learning and discovery when you vacation. They’ll help you get familiarized with the area you’re staying in. Check them out!

Visit the Old Faithful Visitor Center

The Old Faithful Visitor Education Center features displays on Yellowstone’s hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles, and of course its world-famous geysers.  Scientists take advantage of these extreme environments to conduct research at one of the greatest living laboratories in the United States. Children will love the Young Scientist Exhibit, which contains hands-on exhibits, models, and much more. This is a great place to discover information about the flora and fauna that you can see in the area as well, and has plenty of resources about the park overall, 

Grand Teton Park Resources

Take your educational offerings to new heights by exploring the curriculum materials, and even Distance Learning programs available through the Grand Teton National Park! The Park offers unrivaled access to outdoor learning experiences. Located in one of the biggest temperate-zone ecosystems on the globe, you’ll be exposed to wolves, moose, & billion-year-old rocks – highlights of the park!

A Great Pit Stop in Alpine

At the junction of the Greys and Snake Rivers, you can find the Alpine Visitor Center.  Guests can visit to learn about the surrounding habitat and the abundance of wildlife that call it home. Located off Highway 89, this makes for a great stop on the way to Yellowstone or Jackson Hole. The Center has many guides, maps, and books that will enhance your experience in the area.

Another great spot in Alpine? The Alpine Nature Center is the best place to learn all about all of the unique animals, plants, and more in the Alpine area. They also have a plethora of information on their website about what’s in bloom, what you’ll see exploring the area, and so much more.

Are you ready to inject some adventure and discovery into your vacation? Then all that’s left is to pack your bags, pick out that perfect Kabino near these amazing natural wonders, and get started!  

Shoulder season in the Pacific Northwest runs from April-May and September-Oct typically.  It’s those times of year just outside of peak seasons. When the crowds are in full force during ski season and also during those prime summer months, the “shoulders” of these seasons make a super time to visit.  

Lower Rates

First, you’ll want to book accommodations. Lucky for you, shoulder season means lower rates on premium vacation rentals.  If you’re looking to keep some cash in your pocket, consider a shoulder season getaway to take advantage of those deals.

Smaller Crowds

Crowds are smaller in the spring and fall  in destinations like the Alpine-WY, the Yellowstone area, and others.  The milder temperatures also make it a wonderful time to visit the mountains and enjoy the feeling of having some spots to yourself.

Enjoy a “Locals” Experience

Live like a local in Victoria and other areas during spring and fall. Take in the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival, when for six weeks local students take to the stage with dance, music and theater performances. Or attend a performance by the Victoria Symphony, with several events set in March and April. Take the kids to visit baby goats at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm.  Either way, with the slower pace usually found in the shoulder seasons, you’ll feel like you’re a part of the local crowd wherever you go.

Save on Fun

Not only can you get low rates on accommodations, but the shoulder seasons are also a great time to save on attractions as well. For example, get a 30% off coupon for the Victoria Butterly Gardens, valid through March 31. Enjoy free admission at museums on April 4. More than a dozen Washington museums are participating in Free Museum Day, including Seattle’s Museum of Pop Culture, Asian Art Museum, Seattle Art Museum, the National Nordic Museum and the Museum of Flight. There are also three free days at Washington State Parks on March 19, April 11 and April 22.

Magnificent Views

Some activities only take place during the shoulder seasons. The northward migration of the gray whale is one of those. From late March to June, whales migrate back to Alaska. Each spring, about 18,000 whales pass close to the Oregon Coast, creating some perfect whale watching opportunities. Cannon Beach has three awesome vantage points for spotting these magnificent creatures.  And the San Juan Islands are also a favorite!

Spring Blooms

The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival is a driving tour held April 1-30 in La Conner, Wash. The festival takes spectators past fields where millions of blooming tulips scatter throughout the region.   

Another driving tour is the Hood River County Fruit Loop, as April is blossom time in Oregon. Located at the foot of Mount Hood, it’s a wonderful way to see this beautiful region. Twenty-nine member stands offer a variety of fruit, vegetables, flowers, ciders, wind and food. 

Then there’s Spring Sensations 2020, throughout the month of April when the small town of Leavenworth-WA, shows off its apples, peaches, pears, cherries and plums to visitors. 

Fall Festivals and More

Fall also provides great opportunities to see the amazing aspens as they turn to a vibrant yellow and dominate the valleys and mountains of the Northwest.   You can also hear elk bugling during those prime Sept and October months during their breeding season.

You can also catch many great fall festivals, such as the Autumn Leaf Festival in Leavenworth, the Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival in WA, and the Bend Fall Fest in Bend-OR.  

 Come visit this spring or fall, and discover a whole other side of your favorite destinations during the shoulder seasons!

For outdoor and nature lovers, a trip to a National Park is what vacation dreams are made of. Many even plan their trips around the park scene including Grand Teton and Yellowstone, where there’s plenty to do no matter if you have a week to explore or only 48 hours to take it in. To make the most of your trip, browse our guide to spring openings to help with your planning.

Yellowstone National Park

With two distinct seasons, it’s important to know dates surrounding the springtime schedules. The early season begins in late April as the snow is cleared from the roads and facilities will follow on a staggered schedule. For 2019, the schedule is as follows (provided conditions are suitable):

For a color-coded map and to double-check road conditions, visit Yellowstone Park Roads.

Enjoy all that is Yellowstone from wildlife to rafting, horseback riding and amazing waterfalls. And, don’t forget, Kabino has Yellowstone rentals with all the amenities of home, and so easy to book! With rates starting as low as $100 a night, there’s something available for every budget on a Yellowstone vacation.

Grand Teton National Park

Just to the south of Yellowstone and connected by the Rockefeller Parkway is the scenic Grand Teton National Park. The park is 26 miles long and attractive to visitors thanks to a beautiful mountain range and plentiful wildlife, including the Great Gray Owl. Visitors enjoy hiking, boat rides, rafting and huckleberry milkshakes, but you’ll want to know when things are open.

Whether you’re looking for a cottage or a lakeside cabin, browse our selection of vacation rentals near Grand Teton National Park and start planning the perfect outdoor adventure this summer. Always remember to book direct for the best price guaranteed.