A few weeks ago my family and I went to the annual Tall Ships Festival in Tacoma. We had such a wonderful time there between eating roasted corn on the cob to walking on ships from the past. My oldest son had the time of his life playing pirate type games, and getting booty as a prize. From vendors to shows, it was non stop fun for our whole family.
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With the local produce market booming, the new farmers market offered on Tuesday evenings is a great option for people who can’t attend the market held downtown during the day on Thursdays or the one in the Proctor District on the weekend. Opening day was just a few weeks ago, and already the market is a popular destination. Held at the corner of 6th Avenue and North Pine Street in North Tacoma, this market has an amazing location next to some of the most popular bars and restaurants in the area.
While smaller than the market downtown, I was still impressed with the selection. There were several kiosks with organic fruit and vegetables, art and lots of delicious already made dinner options. Because they have just gotten started, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this market continue to expand. The market goes until September 30th.
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"I just wanted to tell you that your site is really awesome and is of
a fantastic quality. The content is great and I will be returning."
- Karan
With my toddler out of town visiting the grandparents, my husband surprised me with a call in the middle of the work day. A quickie lunch date? Yes! This NEVER happens, and it was a gorgeous day last Monday, so I wanted to make this lunch date wonderful. When he asked me what we should do, I scrambled in my head and thought of the Bridge of Glass. Then he suggested heading for Woody’s on the Water as well, and I thought he was trying to take advantage of our baby-free days. Snobby? Swanky? No. Perfect? Yes!
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While battling traffic down busy South 19th Street near Fircrest, it is not surprising that most people don’t even notice the small gravel parking lot of the China Lake Nature Area. The parking lot might not be much to look at, but if you venture a little further you will discover one of the most surprising nature areas in Tacoma.
Who knew there would be a huge 11 acre lake hidden behind the treeline in such a dense metropolitan area, but there you will find a serene wilderness. There aren’t picnic tables, big toys or really any amenities to speak of, but for me this makes this area all the more unique. I really enjoy not having to drive very far to feel like I have arrived in the middle of nowhere. Finding some peace and quiet in the city is quite a challenge sometimes. Read the rest of A Hidden Wilderness: China Lake Nature Area »
On days like today, when I’m too lazy or gas-stingy to drive to Tacoma, I head to Poverty Bay Café for Federal Way’s best coffee. It’s like my little secret 10 minutes out of Tacoma, tucked in back of the Safeway on 320th. I’m almost tempted to delete this post to prevent overcrowding, but they deserve better than that for many reasons. The reasons I should spill the beans about my favorite spot are the very simple qualities that keep me and my family coming back and why I’m submitting this post at Poverty Bay right now with their free WIFI. Federal Way has its share of Starbucks and other coffee chains, but with Poverty Bay Café, I have no need for that.
Reason number one, they are local roasters with a variety of beans. I don’t have to drink coffee that came from roasted beans shipped across the country. I bought my favorite today, the Alki Point medium roast, which I like to buy by the half pound. And unlike the chain competition, they don’t charge for extra espresso shots! So, I go ahead and shamelessly order a 16 ounce, 4 shot, nonfat mocha. Their Americano is a simple testimony to their quality and craftsmanship of their roast; they don’t need any doctoring to cover up bad coffee. I like it just perfectly with their breakfast sandwich, the Poverty Bay Scramble with pepper jack cheese. My husband INSISTS that their waffles are better than mine. Deep inside, I know that they are, and plus you can’t beat the price. Most places are pretty costly, but at Poverty Bay, my husband is eating the double waffle for $5-ish along with his drink of the week. Read the rest of Spilling the beans for the best beans at Poverty Bay »
Like most people, I look forward to Saturday all week. This is especially true in the summer time when the weather is nice and it creates the perfect opportunity to venture out with my two year old and enjoy the sunshine after a long winter cooped up indoors.
We have a routine that we both really enjoy and I would like to share it with other families so that everyone can get the most out of a fun outing to downtown Puyallup’s Pioneer Park. Although we are now residents of Tacoma, we lived in downtown Puyallup for the last two years and found it to be a wonderful place to live with kids. Now even though there are quite a few parks closer, we have maintained our routine and continue to frequent Pioneer Park for all that it has to offer. Let me tell you, any activity that is fun for both mommy and baby is a winner in my book.
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"I had no idea there were so many cool things to do in this area! Thanks 1kTODO" - NR, Idaho
Most everyone around Tacoma knows that we are home to the now world-famous Almond Roca candies, made by Brown and Haley. While they are easily purchased in thousands of retail stores nowadays, there is still something nostalgic about visiting their tiny circular-shaped outlet store, located next to the still-functioning Almond Roca factory in downtown Tacoma. The prices are super, including their large “oops bags” – which are mostly crumbled bits of crunchy toffee and nuts and chocolate from would-be almond roca candies. I bought several huge bags for just a few dollars, then had a neighborhood ice-cream Sunday party that night, with unlimited almond roca crumbled toppings. They also have lots of roca-based goodies that I’d never seen in stores before, as well as a fantastic crushed ice coffee machine that rivals a Frapuccino any day of the week.
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Today my treat to my family was taking them to a place I have enjoyed since I first went when I was just a little girl. Today we took a trip to Wolf Haven International. Wolf Haven is one of the world’s largest and most respected wolf sanctuaries right here in the Pacific Northwest.
Located on 80 acres of peaceful forest and Mima mound prairie, Wolf Haven is the perfect setting for getting to know one of nature’s most elusive creatures. Since 1982, Wolf Haven has rescued more than 100 captive-born wolves from roadside zoos, animal collectors, private owners, research and other facilities. At Wolf Haven, these wolves (and a handful of wolf-dogs, coyotes and foxes) receive a lifetime of compassionate care and are treated with dignity and respect for their wild nature.
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Last week I went to Browns Point Park not expecting a whole lot. Mainly, it was just convenient. It seems like the proposed renovations were either on hold, or just being done sporadically. But I had a pleasant surprise two weekends ago. After months of being under renovation and patiently waiting, the park and playground is complete. Read the rest of Browns Point Playfield, a Park Worth Waiting for in NE Tacoma »
"I had no idea there were so many cool things to do in this area! Thanks 1kTODO" - NR, Idaho
A few nights ago I was at Northwest Coffee House on Garfield Street in Parkland shooting the breeze, watching local artists cycle on and off stage during the open mic event. A couple girls approached me, which is always a good start to a story, and wondered if their friends could borrow my guitar and play a couple songs. Of course.
The men I was about to meet were from Zimbabwe. They came here to participate in a music festival to raise money for their families back in Africa.
The 3 brightly clad African men immediately rushed over to shake my hand. One wore a wide-brim white hat, a brown and white tanktop, his tightly wound dreadlocks tumbling down his back. Another had a strangely sized shirt colored like Joseph’s robe and looking nearly like a poncho. They had wide eyes and kind faces. Taking my seat again, the girls began thanking me all over again so that I couldn’t help but be charmed by all my new friends.
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