EXPLORE: Secret Summer with Katie Diamond
EXPLORE NOT-SO-SECRET SPOTS TO EAT, SHOP & ADVENTURE THAT LOCALS RECOMMEND THIS SPRING & SUMMER!
Secret Summer gives you the scoop on the restaurants, shops, parks and places to explore that Kitsap community leaders & small business owners love to experience during the sunny months. Look for new Secret Summer articles on the regular around here and start planning your Summer adventures today!
katie diamond
mom, hiker, dirt biker, hobby farmer & creator
Hiking: YouTube | Instagram
Dirt Bikes: YouTube | Instagram
Katie and her husband have some pretty cool hobbies. Like many of us living in the Kitsap area, they are true outdoor enthusiasts. Farming, hiking, photography, and dirt bike riding are just a few of their rad hobbies. Katie refers to herself as ‘obsessed with hiking.’ She started hiking with her daughter when she was just 6 weeks old (go mama!). Together they’ve hiked hundreds of miles and clocked almost 40 trips up Green Mountain in less than 2 years! Katie and her husband create content around their hobbies and document their love for the outdoors on YouTube and Instagram (see the links above).
WE CAUGHT UP WITH KATIE TO GET HEr TAKE ON WHERE SHE LOVES TO GO FOR EATS, WATERING HOLES, LOCAL BUSINESSES, PLACES TO GET OUTSIDE, AND SPOTS TO TAKE FRIENDS FROM OUT OF TOWN.
EXPLORE KITSAP LIKE A LOCAL!
Katie, WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT KITSAP?
Katie’s Favorite Local meal:
‘My favorite spot to grab a meal is Family Thai. They make the most amazing Pad Thai and peanut sauce, and the staff there are always friendly. Side note - My grandparents host Christmas dinner at their house every year for our family of 25 and they order Family Thai takeout for our dinner - it is always a hit! As a family, Oak Table Cafe is our favorite place. Everything they make is amazing but my favorite is their eggs benedict with a side of bacon (speed bump bacon as my husband calls it because it is so thick).’
Katie’s Favorite Local Drink:
‘My favorite place to grab a drink on the go is Brewed Awakening by Wildcat Lake. I love an extra hot dirty chai, half sweet, or a Thai iced tea when it is sunny out (they make the best Thai iced tea!). My husband and I also discovered Bushel and Barrel Ciderhouse recently which is a fun place to grab a drink. They have so many fun ciders to try and a very cozy atmosphere to hang out on a date night or with friends.
Katie’s Favorite Local Brand or Business:
‘I am a big fan of South Bound Motorsports (formerly Cliff's Cycle Center). My husband got me into riding dirt bikes about six years ago and South Bound has been our go-to spot for parts and gear. Having new gear and a well-functioning bike is always inspiring to hit the trails! Our local REI is awesome and has everything my daughter and I need to have fun, be safe, and comfy while on the trails. I am also a sucker for baked goods and love Monica's Waterfront Bakery & Cafe - specifically their frosted sugar cookie!’
Katie’s favorite place to get outside:
‘It is hard to pick my favorite place to get outside, but I would say Green Mountain is definitely up there. I got the itch to start hiking about seven years ago and living so close to Green Mountain, it quickly became my go-to spot. I try to go hiking at least once a week, so a lot of the time, you will find my daughter, Charlotte, and I on Gold Creek Trail on the weekends. When my daughter was six weeks old, I took her on her first hike here and now we have hiked it almost 40 times together! The views on this hike are hard to beat - I love seeing the Olympic Mountain range, Bremerton, Mount Rainier and even the Space Needle on a clear day. My husband and I also love riding our dirt bikes at Green Mountain. There are miles and miles of trails to explore!’
Katie’s Favorite Sunny/rainy Day Activity:
‘When it is sunny out, my family loves to spend time on our small hobby farm - if we aren't hiking or riding dirt bikes. We currently care for our two Australian Cattle dogs, two barn cats, one donkey, one mule, two turkeys, and 18 chickens. We have a mini dirt bike track on our property that is fun to mess around on too. Our daughter is almost two and loves helping out with farm chores on her mini tractor and playing around our property. Whether it is sunny, rainy, or snowy, we are doing the same things - just with different clothes/gear on!’
Katie’s Favorite Spot to Take First-Time Visitors:
‘This is tricky because there is so much to see, do, and eat! I would take them to hike Gold Creek Trail in the morning followed by a hearty breakfast at Oak Table Cafe.’
From Katie’s Camera Roll:
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Stay in Kitsap
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Molly Brahmer, local muralist and owner of Molly Brahmer Art, gives you the ‘Secret Summer’ scoop on the restaurants, shops, parks, and places to explore during the sunny months in Kitsap.