The Fogglifter Cafe

This Thanksgiving was spent in McCall, Idaho – a very quaint resort town located in the mountains north of Boise, Idaho right on Payette Lake.  As our family members are all heavy duty coffee drinkers, we decided to share some relaxing time at The Fogglifter, a coffee shop and cafe right in the heart of McCall.  WOW, what a great place!!  Upon entering, we were warmly greeted. There was an area with tables and chairs and then a room off to the side with a couch and comfy chairs just perfect for our family to gather around and visit.  The coffee was very smooth and the espresso drink I ordered was done to perfection.  They serve breakfast and lunch and also have a goodies case which I just couldn’t resist.  And I’m so glad I didn’t!  The coffee cake was to die for.  I’m certain it is the best coffee cake I’ve ever had.

It would be wrong of me not to talk about the history behind The Fogglifter name.  One might think it was named that because of the early morning fog that envelopes Payette Lake, but in actuality it is named The Fogglifter after the owner’s grandfather, Bob Fogg, who was a local aviator.  He flew the rugged mountains of Idaho for 36 year flying smokejumpers into the mountains.  He logged 22,000 hours or rougly three million safe miles flying a 1929 Ford Tri Motor.   The coffee shop’s theme and decor is centered around Bob Fogg and the airplanes that he flew.  There are pictures on the wall of Bob Fogg in front of his plane, pictures of the crews he flew in, and pictures of some of the rugged territory he flew to.

Another interesting fact about The Fogglifter is that the coffee beans are supplied by the brother who has a coffee roaster in Troy, Idaho.  The House Blend is a very smooth organic coffee, purchased through Fair Trade.

Payette Lake

The Foggliter Cafe coffee bar

The setting of McCall is exquisite.  It is nestled in the mountains right next to Payette Lake.  As you drive south, the terrain opens up to a large valley with breathtaking views in all directions.  The local business owners I visited with were all friendly and tolerant of tourists.  When talking about the snow we were enjoying while there, they were quick to share that winters are long and cold in McCall, but that if you love the outdoors there is plenty to do.  For winter there is an ice rink right in town, snowmobiling, cross country skiing and nearby downhill skiing.  In summer, biking, hiking and water sports are very popular.

All in all, McCall has a lot to offer while still maintaining its friendly small town atmosphere.  And, of course, most important while you are visiting McCall, I highly recommend dropping in to The Fogglifter for some great coffee, breakfast and/or lunch.

OH ….  DON’T FORGET THE COFFEE CAKE!!

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to spend the weekend at Cannon Beach, Oregon where the  Sleepy Monk is located.  As it is one of my favorite coffee shops and roasters, there should be no doubt in anyone’s mind that a nice hot foamy latte was in order.  After a lengthy jaunt on the beach, the family slipped on into the Sleepy Monk.  Although we do not have the opportunity to get together often, it has become a family favorite.  A little note here.  My son had the opportunity to spend several months in France through his employment and became quite spoiled by the French coffee and cuisine so he is very picky about his coffee brew and even he looks forward to his caffeine fix at the Sleepy Monk.

I must admit when I made my first post about Waking Up At The Sleepy Monk, my memory was faulty about being able to see Haystack Rock from the front porch.  I’m thinking that’s probably due to the very satisfying coffee they serve and the warm, friendly atmosphere that abides.   Everything else written about previously was right on.

B-e-a-uuutiful

The Barista was extremely friendly and very willing to allow me to take pictures.   He quickly set about making espressos, lattes, and iced drinks for our large family while others patiently waited their turn.  In spite of the numerous drinks ordered, he still made a lovely design in the espresso foam.  How do they do that anyway?

AND…THE ESPRESSO???   —– FABULOUS!!  Not to mention the Pumpkin loaf .

Remember to stop by and visit the Sleepy Monk whenever you visit Cannon Beach, Oregon!

Santa Lucia's menu

SANTA LUCIA

Santa Lucia's menu

The Santa Lucia is not only a coffee shop, but is also a wonderful little lunch spot.  The Santa Lucia is a coffee roaster and as should be obvious by the name,  follows an Italian flair. While there are a few other offerings, they serve primarily Paninis as their lunch item.   The decor has a definite Italian theme and hosts a rather large seating area.  The building is older with much of it being brick which certainly adds to the “old world” flavor.

Santa Lucia’s goodie case

The coffee that they roast and serve has a more robust flavor and is rich and satisfying.  I’ve had occasion to visit Santa Lucia twice, each time having a Panini for lunch.  The food was excellent.  They also offer many delectable goodies and had some of the best Biscotti ever.

The customers at Santa Lucia varies widely; you will see young and old alike.  Santa Lucia also offers free wi-fi, so you will find this is a favorite hang out for students as well.  The barista was warm and friendly making me feel comfortable to stay and linger for a while.

The morning after the wedding, some of us made our way to the Rockwood Bakery and found a wonderful old house that had been transformed into a bakery/espresso bar.  It had plenty of seating inside with a delightful, relaxed atmosphere, and a deck with outdoor seating.  It is easy to see why it is a popular spot for the students as it has a large gathering area, great coffee and sweet treats which beckons the patron to sit and stay a while.

The bakery is located across from Monroe Park which is a beautiful park most noted for the lovely rose gardens and lush, green lawns.  My
attention was instantly drawn to the numerous locals out walking that morning.   There were mothers pushing baby strollers, couples out for a leisurly morning stroll, even some joggers, all seeming to end their pursuits at the Rockwood Bakery.

The espresso was indeed superb, and as it is a bakery, there are many delectable pastries to be drawn to.  Most popular, however, is their
quiche as it is light and fluffy.

If you have occasion to be in Spokane and would like some great coffee in a leisurely atmosphere, be sure to visit the Rockwood Bakery; and, if you’re visiting during the school year, don’t be suprised to find students tucked into a corner studying.

That said, here I sit in the Centralia, Washington Starbucks right now.   Of course, there  is more than one Starbucks located in Centralia, so I’m referring to the one located in the Safeway parking lot (there is also a Starbucks inside this Safeway location) on  Harrison Avenue off  Exit 82 of Interstate 5.

As I sit here this morning enjoying my latte and high speed internet connection, I’m doubting we are truly in a recession.  Traffic through the door has been nonstop.  The lines have been long, approximately 10 people or so, all morning.

So what is bringing all these people to this particular Starbucks?  Is it the coffee, the location, the buzz, or all of the above?

My perception is that this particular Starbucks is in a perfect location.  There is not a drive-thru at this SB location, so all attention is focused on the customer walking through the door.  It is a bright, cheerful location and has one of the larger seating areas inside as well as a large outdoor seating area that is still being used since Western Washington is enjoying a longer than normal dry fall this year.  Fortunately,  winter rain has not yet set in for the next undetermined number of months.

Centralia is a small city so there are many people that know each other and meet for coffee at this location.  Centralia Community College is close by and many students drop in to meet or do homework on their computers. There are also many, such as myself, that stop in off the freeway and choose this particular Starbucks because of its friendly, cheerful atmosphere.  In fact, I’m seated next to a young businesswoman who is here conducting some business while waiting to go to another appointment.

As far as the coffee….well, you decide.  The thing about Starbucks, the menu is such you don’t have to guess, it is the same at any Starbucks location.  However, I should mention that this Starbucks does not skimp on the flavoring thereby offering a delightfull brew of……well… should I make it a Tall Caramel Macchiato, a Grande White Mocha, a Venti Frappucino, or how about a seasonal Pumpkin latte?  Hmmmm, always a tough decision.  I love the seasonal drinks and seasonal pastries.  It always gives me something to look forward to as we go into the dreary winter months ahead.

Packwood is a tight knit community located west of White Pass and is the last place to get a good cup of coffee before
heading up over the pass. The location alone makes it a great place to stop and stretch your legs, get a bite to eat or
just simply stop for a great cup of coffee. Packwood is nestled in amongst some pretty rugged mountain ranges
lending to its appeal. If you are ever passing that way and have a couple hours for a nice hike, I’d suggest stopping
and hiking into Packwood Lake. It’s a beautiful lake and if you’re lucky enough to be there on a clear day, you have some
pretty breathtaking views from the end of the lake.

Then, after your hike, make your way to town and stop in at the Butter Butte for some refreshment.  Try to plan your trip so you can take a few moments to stop by and don’t forget to leave with a pound or two of their fresh roasted coffee beans.

Today, I will be sharing with you another one of my favorite coffee shops called the Sleepy Monk.  The Sleepy Monk is located in Cannon Beach, Oregon on the north Oregon coast.

Cannon Beach is a wonderful seaside community nestled in the coastal range in NW Oregon.  The Oregon coast sports some of the most picturesque beaches on the Pacific Ocean.  Cannon Beach is most famous for Haystack Rock which can be viewed from just about anywhere in Cannon Beach.

The Sleepy Monk is housed in a small house in South Cannon Beach, a little away from the mainstream of art galleries, boutiques and specialty shops, but still close enough to be within walking distance.  It is on the east side of the main street of town.  You will see the Sleepy Monk insignia on the outside of the shop.  You can smell the wonderful coffee roasting before you see the building.  The Sleepy Monk is not a drive-thru coffee shop.  You must park your car to enter the shop or walk to this destination from your hotel or stop by after a walk on the beach.  (My personal favorite.)

The Sleepy Monk is always very busy.  They roast their own blends of coffee so they are not only a coffee shop, but also a place where you can purchase fresh roasted coffee.  They are only open to the public Friday through Sunday.

Upon entering the Sleepy Monk, you will be greeted by a rustic “old” air feel, but greeted at the counter with the usual and not so usual coffee drink menu.  They also have a wonderful array of fresh pastries in their display case to choose from.  The coffees served are divine and choosing from the pastry case can be a difficult choice….. so why not take two?

While I always enjoy my usual espresso when I visit the Sleepy Monk, my usual routine is to order a few pounds of their fresh roasted Organic coffee as it is much less acidic and more user friendly.  However, you can order as bold as you like.  The only drawback is the torture of smelling the fresh roasted coffee on the trip home!

Again, this is a friendly, family run operation always eager to please their customer.  There are a few tables inside for seating and they sport a few chairs outside on their porch so that you may savor your coffee as you view the people passing by, the beach beyond, and listen to the crash of the waves as they smash against Haystack Rock.

Visit the Sleepy Monk:  http://sleepymonkcoffee.com

The Coffee Cabin is an obscure little drive-thru coffee house located in Castle Rock, Washington off the I-5 freeway at Exit 49.

As I have occasion to travel frequently throughout Washington and Oregon, I often stop for coffee to brighten my day.  One of my favorite places to stop is the Coffee Cabin.  The small log building is designed to fit in with the local outdoor theme.  Because a great deal of traffic is generated by tourists visiting the blast zone of Mt. St. Helens, many of the names of their rich, decadent blended drinks were inspired by events resulting from the volcano.

The Coffee Cabin offers monthly specials on their hot drinks which can be viewed on a small blackboard as you drive up to the drive-thru window.  There are usually four offerings for the month, usually themed around a particular event or holiday for that particular month; for instance, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween, and the like.

Upon arriving at their window, I have always been greeted cheerfully.  They quickly take my order and set about serving up a delicious coffee drink.  They have even remade a cup of coffee when the barista felt that the humidity had made the coffee smell too acidic – (without even asking).  So far, I would have to say this is some of the smoothest coffee I’ve had.

If you have a sweet tooth as I do, the Coffee Cabin is definitely the place to go.  They never skimp on the ingredients and the drinks are always rich and decadent.  They also serve every hot drink with a chocolate covered coffee bean.  Usually, by the time you’ve completed paying and getting back on the road, the bean has melted to just the right consistency to really enjoy.

A real treat is the blended drinks that they serve.  One of my personal favorites is the Toutle River Mudslide, a compilation of Kahlua, chocolate and caramel with plenty of whipped cream.  This is a special treat I allow myself a few times a year as I’m sure it’s packed with plenty of calories, but well worth the sin.

The Coffee Cabin also offers up regular coffee, simple espresso, the traditional blended juice smoothies and milkshakes although those are not the drinks I choose to purchase.

If you are in a huge hurry, you’d probably better go some place else.  This is a small, friendly business determined to serve a quality drink.  My personal feeling is the coffee is well worth any wait you may encounter.  So if you are ever traveling in that particular direction, be sure to stop by and visit!