Today was a typical Pacific Northwest day. Mostly overcast, with occasional sun breaks (link here for definition 
), high of 60F/15C, sprinkles off and on. I in my turtleneck & sweater, Son in his shorts & t-shirt (ensemble put together by himself), we decided it was the perfect day to explore a neighboring town.
After playing with seals by the sea for quite some time, we headed home. JumbleSon seemed unphased by the cool air, but I was in serious need of a coffee to warm me salty bones.
And what luck! I just happen to be in the land of drive-through coffee stands. Every nook and cranny and stretch of uninhabited road has one or two. And I believe it is my duty – as a good citizen – to visit as many as I possibly can in case one of them harbors a coffee of orgasmic proportions like that of The Coffee Garden in Salt Lake City, Utah.
But more than that, I love the idea of documenting these adorable little roadside huts that cater to the needs of sleepy, chilled locals and unsuspecting newcomers alike.
So without further ado, I bring you today’s caffeinated love shack, The Espresso Garden
This gem is situated right along Discovery Bay off of Highway 101 on the Olympic Peninsula. Next to it you will find a Wild Birds Unlimited store and an antique shop. Random. Random. There’s nothing else for miles along this strip. But, I must say, it’s a lovely spot all the same. And I, for one, am glad they’re here – even if their coffee** is mediocre.
So what about you? Do you love coffee or tea? Have a favorite drink or spot for your bean/leaf fix? Aspire to become a barista/tea ceremony hostess (anyone know the name for that role?)? Or otherwise, appreciate funky little coffee/tea shops?
**When critiquing coffee, I order an 8oz. Americano (that’s a short black for you Aussies out there, or single shot of espresso with hot water ) with a splash of soy milk.
While any amount of caffeine makes me climb the walls and stay up late (no matter how early in the morning I drink it), I do love to find the little local coffee houses. When we were just a couple sans kiddos, we spent lots of time sipping soy lattes (for me…Rob likes his strong and black) and doing crossword puzzles or reading a good book. Then with Parker, I would go downtown and spend hours at the local coffee houses with him drawing or talking and drinking fresh juice while I enjoyed some tea. Now with 3, coffee houses are not quite so relaxing, but we go just the same. You have me seriously yearning for the ocean!
Linda, you just come right on out! We’ll find a kid-friendly place where the littles can play while we sip our brew. I’m sure we can find a place that serves up nice herbal teas, too
Playing with the seals!?! *sigh* Your son looks like he could be sitting atop a sea turtle : )
What a sweet little coffee shack! hmmm… I am loving matte right now and used to drink it the traditional way from a hollowed out dried gourd but um… my kids had other plans for that so I just use a mug now! We have a lovely place that serves scones and clotted cream with insane coffee I like it nice a dark!
Do you like dark chocolate?? dark coffee + dark chocolate yum!
Oh yes! Dark chocolate! The darker the better – both coffee & chocolate
We would probably call your coffee a machiato… Not sure what I think of drive-through coffee. Sort if seems against the idea of a cafe, but it does sound convenient.
Now I wonder what I was drinking all that time in Oz
. I agree, drive through coffee is kind of vulgar. But, like so many things, I gave up the leisurely coffees when JumbleSon arrived. How I longed for a drive through option when we were in Colorado and I spent my time driving around to help him sleep 
.
oh i love the gardening at that coffee shop! how fun for you guys to discover a new world around you!
coffee is a huge yes in this house..and i have to admit i’m just about as much a coffee snob as i am a beer and music snob…LOL my friends own an organic coffee shop just around the corner from us and so my favorite is an all organic mocha with fat free organic milk and in-house roasted coffee beans..;) yum!!!!
We happened upon a funky place in route – Green River Coffee Roasters, I believe it was. Places that roast in-house are my fave! This place in Sydney roasts their own & wins my vote for the best that I’ve had outside the US (http://www.cafehernandez.com.au/).
Oh sweet coffee. I used to drink black coffee in University and switched to latte’s in my mid twenties. I mostly lurk around SB’s but when travelling, love to check out the local joints rather than the big name brands. Nothing truly beats a caramel macchiatto though in my opinion.
15 degrees C?!? good grief, that is cold for being in the middle of the summer.
ruminating on the beautiful… especially jumbleson’s hair…
Your posts are going to either make my life here completely unbearable as I yearn for that part of the world (ie: home), or help me endure until I can move away from here (and hopefully back to the land I love most).
What a lovely day. I was just aching to see a tide pool and play in it and with the sea.
Oh my, I would put up with mediocre coffee to be able to drink in that setting! I love the idea of drinking coffee quietly near the water… Absolutely beautiful!
My favorite drink is a Cafe Au Lait at Alice Waters’ small Berkeley spot named after her daughter- Cafe Fanny. It’s pricey at $4 a cup, but worth every penny! At home I drink my coffee New York “regular” style, lots of cream and sugar… Ivan described it as “warm coffee ice cream”- he makes the coffee so darn strong that I need to cut it somehow or I’ll be buzzing all day!
*squeezes to JumbleSon!*
Hmmm, an Americano sounds like my style of coffee drinking. I didn’t know this term….and I call myself an avid coffee drinker?
Coffee by the ocean on a crisp overcast day sounds wonderful!
LIsa
[...] Love Shack: The Cottage Coffee 16 July 2009 Filed under: Love Shacks — jumbleberryjam @ 1:56 pm Tags: Madison Crek Falls, Olympic National Park, ONP, The Cottage Coffee Conveniently located in the parking lot of PDQ Auto Services just off of Highway 101, we find today’s love shack: The Cottage Coffee. Just giving a little contrast in scenery from last weeks Espresso Garden. [...]