Blog Posts

Camping Tips in Puyallup, WA

August 30th is National Marshmallow Toasting Day and the 31st is National Trail Mix Day — two of our favorite camping snacks. To celebrate these holidays, the Canyon Park Blog is bringing you some camping tips for your next campout near Puyallup, WA. We’re bringing you some suggested locations to camp, snacks to bring, and tips to make your trip go smoothly. Camping Locations Camp Lakeview is a beautiful option for a weekend camping trip. You could also rent out a cabin here and enjoy an extended weekend with family and friends. This campsite is about 35-minutes away from our apartment community. Here’s what Gary T. said about this campsite: “Have had an amazing time each and [e]very time we go. Can't say enough about the place, clean, amazing activities for everyone, affordable boat rentals, [and] play areas.” You can also try out Riverbend Campground . It’s about a 30-minute drive away and very worth it. Camping Snacks S’mores Snack Mix This sweet snack is perfect to munch on in the evening and it gets you in the camping mood. This recipe comes from Like Mother Like Daughter . For this snack, you’ll need Golden Graham cereal, mini pretzels, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips. Parmesan Ranch Cheez-It Snack Mix If you’re looking for something savory, you’re going to love this recipe full of delicious flavor. This recipe comes from Delightful-E-Made . You’ll need Cheez-It Original crackers, Cheez-It Grooves crackers (Zesty Cheddar Ranch flavored), pretzels, rice/corn breakfast cereal, cashews, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, ranch seasoning mix, and grated parmesan cheese. Camping Tips One of our first tips for a successful camping trip is to make a packing list of what you’ll need. Use an online packing list or come up with your own. This will prevent any unnecessary disasters. If your camping space doesn’t have sinks, use an empty laundry detergent dispenser for a handwashing station . You can find all kinds of other great camping hacks online like these that are sure to make your trip easier. Where are your favorite places to camp in the area? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading our post!

National Golf Month

August is National Golf Month, so the Canyon Park Apartments Blog is bringing you some suggested golf courses near the apartment community here in Puyallup, WA. We will also share some golf history and game etiquette. Check out one of these courses this month and get your golf game on! History of Golf Golf can be dated all the way back to 100 BC where a similar Roman game was played with a bent stick and a stuffed leather ball. The modern game we play now is generally traced back to Scotland in the 15th century. In 1744 the first rules of golf were set in Scotland. To learn more about golf and the rules and procedures of golf, refer to this R&A guide . Golf Etiquette Etiquette while playing golf is also an important aspect. Have respect for the course you’re playing on by raking bunkers and replacing divots. Leave the course as you found it. Have respect for other players as well. Let other groups play through if they’re playing faster than your group. Learn the rules of the course you’re playing on as well in order to maintain the course and keep a peaceful and positive environment for other players. Courses to Try Out Brookdale Golf Course is a great location to try out if you haven’t already. It’s only about a 10-minute drive away from our apartment community. Here’s what their website has to say about their course: “Brookdale is a beautiful, old style golf course built in 1931. Old growth firs, large greens and playable all year round. You won’t find a friendlier staff anywhere!” You could also try out Lake Spanaway Golf Course which is about a 15-minute drive away from Canyon Park. Here’s what their website has to say: “[Lake Spanaway] is a classic course that appeals to the novice player but also challenges the best players in the region. From the old growth Douglas firs that line every fairway to the well placed bunkers and large greens, Lake Spanaway is truly a wonderful golf experience.” What’s your favorite golf course in the area? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading and visit again soon!

Summer Book Suggestions

Did you know that August 9th is National Book Lover’s Day? The Canyon Park Blog has some book suggestions for you to read this month that are great for a quiet summer afternoon. Check out a book from the Puyallup Public Library and get reading! The Alchemist First published in 1988, The Alchemist is a story of wisdom and finding inner truth. It is a novel that has been loved by many since it’s publication. “This story... is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids… No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within.” The Great Gatsby If you haven’t read The Great Gatsby , or if it has been a while, we suggest giving it a go. It’s a classic that has been read and appreciated by many. After reading the book, watch the movie that was released in 2013 or the older version released in 1974. “This exemplary novel of the Jazz Age has been acclaimed by generations of readers. The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island... it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.” The Glass Castle The Glass Castle is a book about a dysfunctional family and the search for understanding among it all. After reading this book, you can watch the new movie that comes out on August 11th of this month. “The Glass Castle is a remarkable memoir of resilience and redemption, and a revelatory look into a family at once deeply dysfunctional and uniquely vibrant… The Walls children learned to take care of themselves. Their parents followed them [to New York], choosing to be homeless even as their children prospered. The Glass Castle is truly astonishing--a memoir permeated by the intense love of a peculiar but loyal family.” A Man Called Ove A treasured and feel-good book, A Man Called Ove was published in 2012 and has enthralled many readers since. “ ...Behind the cranky exterior there is a story and a sadness. So when one November morning a chatty young couple with two chatty young daughters move in next door and accidentally flatten Ove's mailbox, it is the lead-in to a comical and heartwarming tale of unkempt cats, unexpected friendship, and the ancient art of backing up a U-Haul. All of which will change one cranky old man and a local residents' association to their very foundations.” What are some of your favorite summertime reads? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading and have a great month here in Puyallup, WA.

Fitness Plan Tips

It can be difficult to fit exercise into a busy schedule. Luckily for you, there’s a gym just outside your apartment door. The Canyon Park Apartments has great equipment for you to use to get in shape. If you need some help getting started, then you’ve come to the right place. Read on for tips and tricks to start a fitness plan and to stay motivated throughout that plan. Set Aside Scheduled Time It will be much easier to follow a fitness plan if you already have time scheduled out in your week to perform that exercise. Whether you’re going to exercise daily or just a couple of times throughout the week, plan out what time you’re going to exercise, how long you want to exercise, and what type of exercise you’ll be doing. When these decisions are made ahead of time it will make it much easier to get up and get going. Set Up a Support Group Having a support group during a fitness plan can make all the difference in whether you continue with your new healthy habits or not. Find people who would be willing to exercise with you. On the days you don’t want to go run, your friend will be there to motivate you and vice versa. This will also keep you both accountable for completing what you’ve said you would complete. Track Your Progress Knowing how far you’ve come is motivating to keep up with your goals. Take time before you begin your fitness plan to weigh yourself, take pictures, journal, and/or use an app or Fitbit to keep track of progress. Use the form of tracking that correlates to why you began exercising. For example, if you want to lose weight, then weigh yourself throughout your plan. If you want to feel better and have more energy, keep a journal about how you feel each day. Experiment With Exercise You can find so many different forms of exercise these days — anything from dance classes, to jogging, to team sports, to Bikram or aerial yoga. Try out something new near your apartment in Puyallup, WA. You might find that exercise becomes more enjoyable when you find the right type for you. What tips do you have when starting a fitness plan or trying to staying in shape? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Putting On a Picnic

It’s the perfect time of year to invite friends and family to have an outdoor picnic near your Canyon Park Apartments. Assign dishes to everyone who is coming and have a fun afternoon. We have some delicious recipes and outdoor games for you to make this picnic just right. Recipes - Pressed Picnic Sandwiches This recipe is a delicious Italian sub that is perfect for a sunny day in Puyallup, WA. This recipe comes from The Crepes of Wrath. You’ll need a large loaf of ciabatta bread, fresh pesto, sliced sweet soppressata (an Italian dry salami), prosciutto (an Italian dry-cured ham), provolone cheese, mozzarella cheese, and basil leaves. - Zesty Fruit Salad This salad is easy and so delicious. It comes from The Roasted Root. You’ll need an apple, an orange, 2 kiwis, 1 banana, 1 cup of blueberries, 1 cup of red grapes. For the dressing, you’ll need canned coconut milk, Greek yogurt, basil leaves, 1 lime, and honey. Make the Lime Coconut Basil dressing and mix in with the chopped fruit. This salad is a great alternative to a traditional fruit bowl. Outdoor Games - Giant Jenga This outdoor game is becoming more and more popular and the perfect game for an outdoor picnic. You can purchase Giant Jenga online or make an even more giant version yourself. We like the idea of an extra giant set. To make this yourself, you’ll need 54 feet of 2x4, measuring tape, a pencil, a chop saw, a sanding block, 100 or 120 grit sandpaper, a damp cloth, and stain of your choice. This game will create a lot of fun for you and your friends. - Corn Hole Corn hole is a great outdoor game that is perfect for all ages. You can make your own set or purchase one online if you don’t have one. To make corn hole boards you’ll need a jigsaw, measuring tape, compass, plywood of different sizes, and a few other items. Visit the DIY Network to find out how to make these and everything else that you’ll need. What are your favorite outdoor games or picnic foods? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!

Decorating With Greenery

Being in nature can put you in a calm and relaxed mood. Bring that feeling indoors by incorporating greenery into your home decor. In this post, Canyon Park Apartments Blog brings you some tips on keeping plants indoors. Plant Herbs Plant herbs that can sit in your kitchen or by a windowsill. They take up very little space and you get the benefit of harvesting what you sow. Sage, thyme, basil, rosemary, and lemongrass will all grow well indoors along with many others. One writer says that all herbs can live indoors as long as you take into account the hardiness of the plant, the time of the year you plant them, the air temperature, and the type of soil they live in. Take these into account and you’ll have thriving and fresh herbs all year. House Plants Beside planting herbs, buy plants that are good for living indoors . Some plants that work well would be spider plants, aloe vera, snake plants, dracaenas, palms, philodendrons, and succulents. Many plants are also great for purifying your home . Some of these include peace lilies, rubber plants, bamboo palms, snake plants, and dumb canes. Choose the right plant for you and your home. For example, if your apartment doesn’t get a lot of sunlight, choose a plant that’s okay with that. If you aren’t home a lot, find one that’s okay with little watering. Hanging Planters This idea is a perfect way to creatively add greenery to your place. You can easily hang these pots from your window sill, while not using up counter or table space. Not to mention they’re beautiful! For this project, you’ll need chalked paint, a paint brush, string, and a terracotta pot (or 2 or 3!). After painting the pot, you can use the tutorial guide to see how to twist and tie the string onto the pots. That’s it! You now have a beautiful hanging pot. You can find some of these plants at your favorite nursery, farmers market, or supermarket here in Puyallup, WA. What houseplants do you have? What are your tips on keeping them alive and happy? Let us know in the comments. Thanks for reading!