Author Archives: admin

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo

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I wholeheartedly advocate celebrating this national holiday with either a margarita or sangria toast, which you can do at your favorite Mexican restaurant. Azteca Restaurants continues the celebration through Mother’s Day on Sunday. But locally we also have some other innovative ways to honor this day.

Ground will be broken today for the new South Park Bridge, located at 14th Ave. South and Dallas St. in Seattle. The community has taken this opportunity to share a giant piñata, hold other festivities while local businesses offer samples of their cuisines. The event is from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Don’t forget the old bridge is gone, so you must access South Park from Highway 99 South and the First Avenue Bridge.

Make a mask with Amaranta Ibarra-Sandys at the Douglass-Truth Branch of the Seattle Public Library from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. The address is:  2300 Yesler Way in Seattle.

El Centro de la Raza boasts free admission to their Cinco de Mayo event today from 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. It features food for sale, arts and crafts, dance and musical performances.

If you want to run off all that good food you eat today, sign up for the Cinco de Mayo Half-Marathon and 8K in Snoqualmie this Saturday, May 7.

My Five Favorite Books on Washington

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Tons of different books, including guidebooks, have been written about Washington State, but I tend to refer back to the page-worn pets on my bookshelf.

Here they are:

The Dog Lover’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest by Val Mallinson – a comprehensive guide about the best places around to take your dog including parks, hotels and restaurants and Val updates it often.

Washington Trivia complied by John Hedtke – a great little paperback to take on trips and quiz your traveling partners with. Did you know that the cartoons on the J.P. Patches Show came out of his hat?

Atomic Marbles and Branding Irons by Harriet Baskas and Adam Woog. Actually anything by Harriet Baskas works as she’s the go-to writer on weird places and things in the area.

Waterfall Lover’s Guide:  Pacific Northwest by Gregory A. Plumb. Using waterfalls as markers on a scenic drive will take you in all kinds of new directions in this area. 

Book Lust to Go by Nancy Pearl. Not a book about Washington, but by a Washington author. The only librarian with her own action figure, Nancy Pearl, writes about books and this one tells you which books to read prior to going to a certain destination to prepare for the culture.

Heather

Willows Lodge Provides Sanctuary

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This past Sunday and Monday I attended a travel writer’s conference and had the opportunity to stay in the wonderful Willows Lodge in Woodinville. I’ve stayed in some very luxurious hotels, but this one will always have a spot in my top ten.

Outdoor patio at Willow Lodge

The guest rooms are huge. I don’t know what kind of mattress they have on the beds, but I slept like one of my dogs after eating their breakfast. The lights are all on dimmer switches which lets you control how bright you want it and if you think you might have trouble finding the bathroom in the middle of the night, you can keep a dim light burning.

Speaking of the bathroom, which is what most woman look for in a hotel room. The very inviting bathtub drew lots of attention from my fellow conference attendees. It was very deep, large and round and the mini bar even offered different fragrant bubble baths to make the tub even more appealing.

I never knew before that I liked a 98-degree shower, but thanks to this shower which is operated by push-buttons that let you control the temperature down to the degree, I now know that’s ideal. The shower was also huge – enough room for a family of four to shower at the same time.

Ruthie, the host dog at Willows Lodge

Another dog on staff at Willows Lodge

Another perk: The Willows Lodge is dog-friendly and the host dog Ruthie, a basset hound, welcomes both human and canine guests.

Emerald Downs Open for the Season

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Our horse racing track, Emerald Downs  in Auburn, opened this month for the season. It’s a fun, fabulous way to spend the day whether you’re into gambling or not. You can just enjoy the outdoors, the beautiful thoroughbred animals and people watch, if you like.

The track always has different promotions going on from Family Day to free admission for seniors, to tee-shirt giveaways and more. Free outdoor children’s activities are offered on weekends, weather permitting. Next Saturday, May 7th, you can go to Emerald Downs and watch the Kentucky Derby if you like.

Here are some other dates to put on your calendar:

  • June 19, free caps for Father’s Day
  • July 23, Wiener Dog Races
  • August 20, you can run the same mile the ponies do

 

Emerald Downs opened in 1996. The track, a one-mile oval in the shadow of Mount Rainier, makes this a most scenic spot on a sunny day.

 

If you do place a wager or two on the horses, it’s always fun to pick them by their names. After all Royal Wedding did win a race on the same day as “The Royal Wedding.”

Posting Everyday in May – A Big Challenge

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Today I’m starting participation in a Blogathon, which means I’ve been challenged to post every day for the month of May. I’m doing this for many reasons – to post more regularly, to learn about blogging, to meet other bloggers and to gain new readers. I have one guest poster scheduled and hope to get more, on Fridays I’m going with a list theme (for example, my favorite farmers’ markets in Washington) and there will be various other themes fit in.

To write a post everyday will be difficult, that’s a given. But you can help me out. If you read something you like or find interesting, please share it with your Facebook friends and your Twitter followers or whatever social media group you engage in. Thank you very much.

Taking a Waterways Cruise    

Today’s post is about the Easter brunch cruise we thoroughly enjoyed. This one is a bit different than the Argosy Cruises that depart from the waterfront in downtown Seattle.

They are called Waterways Cruises and either tour Lake Washington or Lake Union. The boats are smaller yachts. Waterways offers a wide variety of cruises from lunches to brunches to sunset dinners and from skirting the shores of Lake Washington so you can see where some of our resident billionaires, like Bill Gates, live, to exploring the houseboat communities on Lake Union (think, “Sleepless in Seattle”).

Even though we had “silver” clouds the day we boarded the “Olympic Star, the view from the water was still gorgeous and so very different from what you can see from the roads. The waterfront side of most of the homes is their claim to fame, and their most picturesque angle. It is what you would find in a home and garden magazine.

The food was very tasty – especially Chef Udo’s Smokey Thick Cut Bacon, the Poached Eggs on Brioche and the Banana Coffee Cake. When you pair the brunch with a Mimosa, you experience a taste of paradise.

My husband kept commenting, “This would be a great activity to share with out of town visitors.”     

Captain Ron and I after the brunch cruise

Since boat rides place very high on my list of “favorite things,” I plan to take another, Waterways narrated tour to learn more about the homes of the rich and famous or maybe play Bingo or hear the history of Seattle. The choices are endless.

Community Garden Summit: Tacoma Rocks

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Last Saturday I attended the 2nd Annual Community Garden Summit, not knowing what to expect, because I missed the first one. The event made me even prouder to be a Tacomaite than I already was.

First it was totally free – from the workshops to lunch to the vegetable starts we were given at the end of the day. We were welcomed by our mayor, Marilyn Strickland, who told us that the number of community gardens (sometimes called pea patches) per capita in Tacoma has now surpassed those in Seattle.

We had a vast array of workshops to choose from during the day, such as composting, edible flowers, vermiculture, trellising, planting a food bank garden and much more. I chose to attend square foot gardening, container gardening and polycultures and perennial plantings.

The information on polycultures that Kelda Miller of Sustainable Tacoma Pierce gave out sounded really good to me, so I’m going to try it in my raised bed. Basically what polycultures means is that you grow plants together that complement each other in growth habit, nutrient uptake and water harvesting so that they actually care for each other. I’m going to try the four-season polyculture.

 

We actually planted a garden like this at the event so I got hands-on experience. Other vegetables and flowers can be used, but this is what I’ve chosen to plant. First you broadcast radish seeds in your bed, then daisy seeds which become beneficial insect attractors, next comes bush bean seeds for a nitrogen fix and last is carrot seeds for the carrot roots. Then you cover the whole mix of seeds with soil.

The idea is that all the seeds germinate at different times and grow at different rates, so you have constant crops through the fall. I’ll let you know how it works. It sounds quite easy, but I’m a very novice gardener.

 

Tip:  I just heard about a new web site today that is a luxury lifestyle magazine for Seattle. The publication is Seattleite. You might enjoy it – I know I did.

Ukulele Teacher Works Out of Consignment Shop

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You wouldn’t expect to find ukuleles for sale in a plus-size consignment shop, but that’s exactly what’s going on at Queen’s Closet in Lakewood. Ray Alonzo Sr. gives ukulele lessons and sells instruments as well as any supplies you might need to play it and his wife, Sandy, runs the consignment shop. I sat down with Ray Alonzo to find out more about his thriving business. Here’s what he said.

Ray Alonzo Sr. with one of many ukeleles

What brought you to Tacoma?

Ray:  My wife and I met when we both lived in Hawaii. When I joined the military, I was stationed at Fort Lewis and Sandra found a job with Pierce County. Sandra frequently shopped at Queen’s Closet when it was located on Tacoma Avenue, so when  the owner asked if she wanted to buy the business, she jumped at the chance.

How do you happen to sell ukuleles in the consignment store?

Ray:  I’ve played the ukulele for years now. People began inquiring about learning to play Hawaiian music so I offered my place at Queen’s Closet and it kind of morphed into both teaching and playing the ukulele there.

I needed to stay close to Sandra’s business because I do all the computer tasks and everything on the honey-do list.

What else do you sell besides ukuleles?

Ray:  I give private and group lessons Wednesdays through Saturdays and we sell all the accessories like tuners, music stands and more.

What is Monday Ukulele Ohana?

Ray:  Ukulele players get together and practice every Monday. We started with four or five people and now it’s grown to more than 70. One woman even comes all the way from Spokane, although she comes just once a quarter. I teach the first hour (5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.) then we have a potluck, and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. we have a song circle. People bring in music and if we can, we play it. If we can’t, then we learn it.

 

Is learning to play the ukulele a popular trend right now?

Ray:  I see a lot of teens taking up the ukulele and I’ve also gotten inquiries from school programs who want to buy ukuleles, so yes it is.

How long have you been playing the ukulele?

Ray:  I started when I lived on the Big Island of Hawaii and played at church. I continued to pluck away and fell in love with the instrument so my mom bought me one. Learning wasn’t formal then, so I picked it up by ear – I hear the sound and progression of the chords. I’m basically self-taught.

Please tell me a little more about Queen’s Closet.

Ray:  Our store is for the community. We keep items on the floor for 90 days and if they haven’t sold by then we donate them to the Purdy Correctional Facility or Washington Women’s Employment & Education. Nothing ends up in the landfill. We also have consigners who bring items here to be sold and they give all that money to a charity.

Queen’s Closet is located at:  9614 40th Ave. S.W. in Lakewood. You can reach Ray or Sandra at:  253-475-9576.

Sure Signs of Spring

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Daffodil Princesses

The weather isn’t always the best indicator of spring in the Pacific Northwest. So I have my own personal signs that the season has begun. The first is when I see a pair of tennis shoes strung of the overhead wires – I wish I could see the teens while they attempt this fete. Second, is the smell of backyard barbecuing and my third tell is the start of neighborhood parades. Parade season, if you will, has officially launched.

Yesterday we watched the Daffodil Parade as more than 100 entries walked, marched, danced and played musical instruments along the parade route on Main Street in Sumner.                             

Kita and Elias taking in the parade

This parade is the only one in the country that travels to four different cities on the same day. First, the parade travels along Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, then it moves to Puyallup, from there to Sumner and the last leg is in Orting.

Clowns, pirates, horses, cars, bagpipers, marching bands and buses filled the streets of the different Pierce County communities to the delight of children of all ages. Parade entries came from as far as Penticton, British Columbia and Astoria, Oregon. Of course, as the name indicates, the floats were adorned with bright yellow daffodils and daffodils were passed out to the parade goers. The festival atmosphere almost has to make you smile. 

A friendly Seafair pirate

Upcoming parades in 2011 include:
May 7: Washington State Apple Blossom in Wenatchee
May 21: Rhododendron Festival in Port Townsend
May 28: Ski to Sea in Bellingham
June 4: Farmer’s Day in Lynden
June 18: Berry Dairy Days in Burlington

July 4: Independence Day celebration parades in Blaine, Everett, Sedro Woolley and Tumwater
July 16: Capital Lakefair Twilight in Olympia

Does your community have a unique parade? I would love to hear about it.

Bed Bug Frenzy

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I’m getting ready to take a trip and stay in two different hotels. Bed bugs won’t stop skittering through my mind. What’s a traveler to do?

 

Did you know there is a Bed Bug Registry? Yes, the little critters sign up for the cool gifts they want for wedding presents. Not really. It lists places where bed bugs have been reported. One of my hotels has a clean bill of health while the other one’s history is a bit murkier.

So, what can I do to make sure my hotel room isn’t infested?

WebMD.com, my go-to health advice site, says bed bugs are more of a nuisance than a health hazard, but you still don’t want them around. They do like to take up residence in beds, but they can also be found in picture frames, headboards, upholstered furniture, and baseboards.

The good news is most hotels are not invested and you don’t have anything to worry about. To make sure:

  • Place your suitcase off the ground on the luggage holder provided
  • Leave it zipped unless you are taking an item out or putting one back in
  • Pull back the blankets, sheets and mattress pad, looking for dark spots (bug feces) and if you find something, ask for a new room – if it’s dark, use a flashlight
  • Look for blood spots or live insects in the seams, cracks, and crevices of the mattress, box spring, and other furniture
  • Upon returning home, keep your luggage in an isolated area and wash all your clothes in hot water and a use a hot dryer to avoid bringing the bugs into your home

 

Here’s an article written by Doug Brown of the Denver Post, which goes into the bed bug problem in depth – http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/travel/2011790456_trbedbugs09.html

Hopefully, we’ll all sleep tight now and not wake up to any kind of bites.

Experience Natural Attractions in Colorado Bend State Park

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I’m excited to offer you a glimpse of a wonderful park in Texas, written by one of my travel writer friends there. Colorado Bend State Park is a two-hour drive from Austin.  –Heather

By Beverly Burmeier

www.beverlyburmeier.com

www.goingonadventures.com

www.stripedpot.com

http://tinyurl/bevtrvl

Photo by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Towering rock canyons, more than 350 caves, and two spring-fed creeks make Colorado Bend State Park an absolutely fabulous place to explore.  With 16 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles suitable for mountain biking, there are plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy nature at its best, including beautiful scenery along river trails and at Gorman Falls. I was surprised by the various recreational opportunities available at this central Texas park for birding, fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping, and photography.

Located along six miles of Colorado River frontage, Colorado Bend is a large state park, covering 5,328 acres.  Partly because of its size, the intent is to keep it natural and easy to care for, says Park Superintendent Cory Evans.  At present it is one of the lesser developed state parks, although future plans may change that. Primitive tent camping is allowed in 38 numbered sites, and there are two backpack areas where guests can pitch tents.  No electricity is available, which makes it a great getaway from the workaday world.

Photo by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Native pecans, ferns, and cacti are abundant in the park, and beautiful wildflowers sprout up in the spring.  Wildlife includes coyotes, bobcats, and mountain lions—although most visitors aren’t likely to encounter these species.  White-tail deer, armadillos, and squirrels are more common. You might also see wild turkeys, endangered golden-cheeked warblers (if you’re lucky), black-capped vireos, red-tailed hawks, and eagles (they nest on the canyon walls).

Several geological features in the park are unique to this region. Spicewood Springs is a popular hiking trail with numerous creek crossings that leads to a refreshing creek where families often picnic and swim.  Adding to the beauty of this spot are the painted rocks, formations colored by minerals seeping through. 

On weekends, staff will take visitors on a two-hour guided tour to spectacular Gorman Falls on the western bank of the Colorado River, approximately 10 miles above Lake Buchanan.  This impressive 90-foot-high waterfall, tumbles over a cliff and mists ferns and other lush vegetation as it descends. Comprised of travertine, the top layers of calcium deposits are extremely fragile, so the area is protected. A deck allows amazing views of the falls and the meandering Colorado River directly behind the viewer.

Photo by Larry and Beverly Burmeier

Also available are guided cave tours.  Gorman Cave is the 40th largest cave in the state, and you can explore with staff on weekends or belly-crawl 800 feet into the cave on a self-guided tour. Other than the falls and cave, visitors are free to explore and enjoy the park—on its own primitive terms.

March is the busiest month—with April next–because that’s prime time for white bass fishing and birding (214 species of birds have been identified in the park).  Also flowers are beginning to bloom, and the weather is generally agreeable for camping or hiking. 

Originally an old Indian camp, the site near Gorman Falls is protected for archeological study.  During the 1950s-1970s that area was a fishing camp and RV park.  The state bought the land in 1984, adding more land from the former Lemons Ranch in 1987.  These areas were combined and opened to the public as Colorado Bend State Park in 1988.  Still, only 40,000 visitors per year journey the 18 miles from San Saba, through the tiny town of Bend, and over gravel roads to reach the park. But, it’s definitely worthwhile to discover the natural attractions of this Hill Country jewel.