Jun 24, 2020

The Sydlovesfashion Guide to Suncadia


Summer is officially here and easy weekend getaways are my jam. Suncadia recently announced that they are now open for business and officially in Phase 3 of reopening. If you're looking for a fun place to escape quarantine, Suncadia is it! There's something magical about packing up the car and driving away from the city to get back into nature for a weekend of relaxation.

The 90-minute drive over the Cascades is beautiful and the skies open up giving way to gorgeous trees and serene sunshine. We first started going to Suncadia almost a decade ago when it was slow and sleepy, but since then, it's developed into a robust resort with multiple pools, parks, and vacation rentals. Suncadia is a great place for families to unwind, connect, and enjoy the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. I consider myself somewhat of an aficionado when it comes to Suncadia, so here's my guide on how to do it right.


Where to Stay
We love the Lodge at Suncadia. There are plenty of options on-site including the inn, condos, and even vacation rentals, but if you really want to experience Suncadia at its finest, stay in the lodge. The rooms are spacious, including some units with kitchenettes, and I'm a big fan of being able to walk down to grab a coffee from Coal House Cafe in the morning. The beds are comfortable, the bathrooms are spacious, and if you book a river view, you can stargaze at night. The Lodge also has a pool (pictured above) with is open late and much quieter than the other pools on property. If you prefer more space, you can also rent a vacation home on-site or search places like VRBO for other on-property rental options. Please note, the only way to access the pools is if you book directly with Suncadia. We recently booked this rental through VRBO and loved our experience!

Where to Eat
There are a few restaurants on-site at Suncadia including Portals which serves a mix of American food and Pacific Northwest favorites. The Lodge burger is a trusty favorite and you can order it to-go from the bar if you prefer to enjoy the epic views from your room. If you're planning on dinner at Portals be sure to make reservations in advance as weekends can be busy. Our favorite place to dine at Suncadia is on-property at Swiftwater Cellars. Sit outside if you can snag a table and enjoy sweeping mountain views while you sample flights of wine. If you head into Cle Elum there are a variety of restaurant options available. We like Beau's Pizza and Pasta and El Caporal Mexican Restaurant.


What to Do
Suncadia is all about relaxation. Take a long walk or bike ride around the property. We spend a lot of time at Dawson Park when we visit because my kids love to run around in the grass, scooter on the path, and take our dog to the fully-fenced dog park. There are also a variety of hiking trails on the property and you can easily rent bikes and boats from the Fitness Center. If you have time, I highly recommend booking a treatment at the Glade Spring Spa. They are offering a limited menu due to COVID which includes massages, facials, manicures, and pedicures.

Kittitas County, where Suncadia is located, recently received approval to advance to Phase 3 of the state's reopening plan. This means that public pools can reopen, restaurants can increase capacity to 75% and people can gather in groups of up to 50. You'll still need to wear your mask while out in public (indoors and outdoors) and maintain social distancing when you can. We're all in this together and we can still have a great summer if we all play it safe.
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Jun 8, 2020

How to Make Change


The events of the past week have been difficult to watch and yet critical to witness if we truly want to move toward shaping a better world. We have a lot of work to do in this country to end racism. The first step for many is perhaps acknowledging that it exists and to see the many ways we are privileged by the color of our skin. We each have an obligation to acknowledge how racism disproportionately impacts the black community. Now is the time to show up, do the work, educate ourselves, and fight for systematic change.

Many of you are tired, overwhelmed, and feeling paralyzed because the problem seems too big, and it is. But we have to begin. We have to begin speaking up, educating ourselves, doing the work, and being held accountable for our actions. Last week, mental health therapist Alishia McCullough and dietitian + activist Jessica Wilson put together a great list of calls to action. Here are a few that stood out to me as a creative:

  • Fund projects, books, and podcasts created by black people
  • Use your privilege and connections to provide space and equipment for black people to host events and conferences
  • Center the experiences of black people in conversations about social justice and body liberation
  • Hold people accountable for long-term changes

There are so many things we can do as creatives to amplify black voices and give them access to opportunities. Many influencers work with a vast network of brands. Why not leverage those relationships to start conversations with brands about how they can diversify their social media feeds and pay black content creators or allocate shelf space to black designers? Aurora James of sustainable fashion brand Brother Vellies recently created the 15% pledge asking retailers to dedicate 15% of their shelf space to black-owned businesses. I encourage you to sign the pledge and start conversations with your favorite brands about what they are doing to ensure black artists, creators, and businesses are part of their product mix and represented in their organization in meaningful ways. 

Here are some things you can do today:

  • Examine your own biases and work to dismantle them. 
  • Have hard conversations with your friends, family, and employers about systematic racism in America. Silence is violence and avoiding these conversations will only perpetuate the cycle. Speak. Educate. Fight for change. 
  • Don't just read books, listen to podcasts, and continue to consume content in your quest to be anti-racist. DO 👏 THE 👏 WORK. 
  • Use your platforms and places of access to ensure that black voices are amplified and that their experiences are widely shared. 
  • Diversify your feed. Follow black content creators, business owners, and activists. Listen to their stories. Get to know them. Get involved. 
  • Keep showing up to fight for change, not just today, but every day. 


I invite you to harness the emotions of the past week and use them to fuel your work toward meaningful change. We have to dismantle the systems that continue to oppress communities of color and rebuild them in a more equitable way. I am here for you and ready to do the work alongside you to create a brighter future that is filled with love and possibility for all.

Photo credit: Demri Rayanne Photography 
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