Tacoma, WA

There are two things I cannot stop raving about, in fact, I make sure to satisfy these cravings monthly. One of them is the cannelloni. Oh, it is so NOT like those ribbed, pre-formed pasta tubes with stuffing and ragu sauce. Their cannelloni is like a smooth, thin crepe, not chewy or rubbery. It’s filled with Italian sausage, chicken, mushroom, cheeses, herbs, and spinach. Three yummy cannelloni’s are laid on a red pomodoro sauce and surrounded lightly with a white bechamel sauce. EVERYTHING including the sauce is made in their kitchen. I have a large appetite, unfortunately, so at first I was concerned about the portions. My eyes are definitely bigger than my stomach because rarely do I finish that last cannelloni, no matter how delectable it is. Even if everyone orders something else, I make to order this so that we can all share our flavorful entrees and taste everything.

Going to the Tacoma Children’s Museum is both easy and enjoyable. On weekdays, if you go from 3-5pm (closing) it is half priced for admissions. Our Passport Diners card got us a free admission with the price of one so it was only $3 for the both of us. While most may not have that card, $3 each for parent and child is a bargain, and two hours was plenty enough time for a good play. Bathrooms are onsite complete with changing tables. Parking may be something to consider since the Children’s Museum sits on Broadway and street parking is tight. I had to go around the block twice before finding a spot right outside but ultimately that wasn‘t an inconvenience. We wanted to go outdoors for fun, and thanks to the rain we found it within the doors of the Tacoma Children’s Museum.

Besides the playground, the park is gorgeous all together. The playground is actually at the very end of the park, a whole luscious green field separates us from the scanty parking lot and the playground. There’s a large walking path circling the path, perfect for Baby when she starts learning to ride bikes. A small basketball court, picnic areas, trash cans are basics that the park possesses, but no bathrooms. Your best bet for potty emergencies is Dash Point State Park down the street. Thankfully, we’ve never found this park to be overly crowded with kids, but always pockets of cute families to keep my only child company.

We were actually headed to spend the weekend in Discovery Bay with family. But while we were there I couldn’t resist taking Baby to the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim, it was just convenient. But after this remarkable and memorable visit, we will without hesitation make the hour trip out of Tacoma just to visit this sanctuary again. Baby and I love animals, there’s something very tender and heartfelt about animals. Driving through this game farm we were able to get up close and personal with many animals and feed them. Buffalo, zebras, llamas, reindeer, bears, lions, and a rare white rhinoceros just to name a few, lace this drive-thru trek. Feeding these typically wild animals in peace was so endearing; you just feel it’s supposed to be this way and you’ll never want to leave.

When we first moved to Proctor, we felt so privileged to be a part of a district that holds such esteem. But we soon realized that it was more; it was a quaint little community full of charisma and comfort. Proctor isn’t very big, the vicinity I consider the ‘main’ part is just a canvas of 6 blocks. But I can easily squander hours of enjoyment here. Proctor is really one of those districts that aren’t boring. You can walk the streets and be curious enough to walk into over half the stores. Proctor’s got it all: Restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, library, wine tasting, recreation, novelties, clothing boutiques, and more.