Paddling in the Tacoma Waterways Paired with Great Cuisine; Part 2
By: Michael and Eli...
Published: April 22, 2024

The Silver Cloud at Point Ruston: Restful
Is it time to recharge yourself? Do you need a break and a touch of luxury? The Silver Cloud at Point Ruston in Tacoma is precisely the right place for that. We had a busy day paddling in the Tacoma Waterways and were ready to unwind. Between our room's spacious and modern furnishings and the spectacular view – unwinding was easy! Our large window looked directly out to Commencement Bay so we could see a stunning panorama of water and distant (and not-so-distant) islands.
The hotel is situated in Point Ruston, an urban village that offers high-end dining options, boutique shops, and a variety of recreational and entertainment choices. You can park your car at the Silver Cloud; everything you could need is right there!

After several miles of kayaking earlier that day, we were ready to enjoy a nice dinner. The restaurant in the hotel, Copper & Salt Northwest Kitchen did not disappoint. Whether you are looking for a fine dining experience, a happy hour drink and snack, or a scrumptious breakfast, this restaurant is a great choice.

The dining room is bright and open, with large bay windows providing views of the bay and the mountains beyond. Even the line cooks can enjoy the scenery while they prepare your meal.
We had an absolutely delicious dinner! The Pacific Northwest Scallops with chorizo and fregola were outstanding. The fregola, often described as a cross between a grain and a pasta, added a pleasant nutty flavor to the dish. The scallops were dressed with a tasty pesto sauce and served with caramelized cauliflower.
We skipped dessert as we had other plans. Wanting to stretch our legs a bit, we walked the half mile to Dune Peninsula At Defiance Park. The view from the hilltop is stunning. If you are feeling a bit more ambitious, you can turn around and head east on the paved trail another 3.5 miles, and you'll arrive at Jack Hyde Park. Of course, then you need to walk back. We had something else in mind, so we returned to the village to find a shop called Ice Cream Social. Owner and ice cream maker Layla Isaac started Ice Cream Social during the summer of 2012, mainly at farmer's markets, catering, and selling to restaurants. Layla opened her first scoop shop in June 2014 and the second one at Point Ruston in July 2017. This warm evening brought out a long line of like-minded folks ready for some refreshing treats. It was well worth the wait! But – so many flavors! The salted caramel was creamy and delicious, with just the right amount of salty goodness.
Returning to our room, looking out the big windows with views of the bay, the islands, and the mountains, and watching the ferry boat slowly go back and forth was very soothing. Then, when the tide rolled in, I noticed seals swimming along the shore. This was very meditative, and before I knew it, I was sound asleep.

The following morning, I watched the sun come up and the colors of the sky change. If you stay here, you definitely want a water-side room, which will be easy because the Silver Cloud has over 70% of its rooms on the water side.
It would have been effortless to continue enjoying the comforts and the views, but we wanted to go kayaking. Ten minutes later, we arrived at Point Defiance Park, a vast and beautiful park that offers so much. There are many miles of hiking trails, and one of our favorites is the short Rhododendron Garden Loop. The spring colors are stunning.

Today, kayaking was our plan. Owen Beach (one of Point Defiance Park's many beaches) has lots of parking, and it would be just a short way to carry the kayak to the water. Tacoma Metro Parks provides kayak rentals and necessary gear at Owen Beach during weekends in May and seven days a week from June through Labor Day, weather permitting. We paddled along the shore and soaked in the views of the bay, the seals, Vashon Island, and Mt. Rainier.

We returned to the hotel and went to the rooftop patio to enjoy the heated pool and hot tub. The sundeck is protected from the winds but still feels open and airy, and there are many comfy couches to sit on.  
Living in the Seattle area, we are only an hour away from this special place, so we know that we will be back!
If you missed Part 1 of this story, you can read it here!