Tacoma, WA

About a week ago, when the last sunny days of summer were making outside activities a priority, my family and I decided to stop by Jake’s Bar & Bistro in Steilacoom because of their large open deck overlooking downtown and the Puget Sound.  Of course the sign announcing 42 tap beers added to the intrigue [...]

The Puyallup Fair in Septembers used to be a G-force ritual for me. I looked forward to waiting up to even 30 minutes in line for the Zipper or the Wild Cat. I remember when the Extreme Scream was brand new and I paid the $10 to ride that drop. Now that my husband and I have a toddler, I wondered what the fair is even going to be like without the good rides. What else could I do? Will it be fun, or will I experience it this year in all-about-Baby mode? Food and animals made my first two visits a Puyallup pleasure. That’s right, so far I’ve been twice and I’m eager to explain why the fair is more than just rides, and why you will run into me on the last day.

I haven’t been to very many sporting events in my life, however this summer I discovered what fun going to the local baseball stadium can be.  Last Thursday I went to $3 beer night at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma to see the Tacoma Rainiers play the Sacramento Rivercats. Although it was a little rainy, I still enjoyed the [...]

Woody’s on the Water sits right on Thea Foss Waterway, on Dock Street, ground-level of Thea’s Landing facing the water. You can park on Pacific Avenue and walk across the Bridge of Glass like we did afterward, or you can park in their shared parking under the Thea’s Landing building. The floor-to-ceiling windows, tiled pillars, water view, boardwalk- some of the very factors that kept my curiosity at bay while I have Baby with me. But I couldn’t have been more wrong. So hospitable! We would’ve been just fine with her. Usually when I’m asked if I’d like something to drink besides water, guilt and shame moves me to order an iced tea. I don’t want to be thought of as cheap! But my husband, the shameless penny pincher, proudly asserted, “Water is perfect, thank you.” Our server pleasantly replied with a most genuine smile, “Okay! Ice water, and I’ll keep it coming!” Lovely…

I’ve lived in Tacoma for 18 or so years and I’ve never joined the rowdy crowds of Seattle for the 4th of July fireworks show, so I figured it’s high time. I called up a couple friends who go to college in Seattle and asked if they want to see some lights in the big [...]

Set against the backdrop of Mt. Rainier, Emerald Downs provides the most interactive sporting experience in the Pacific Northwest. Emerald Downs offers exciting live Thoroughbred racing from April through September.

The sport of Thoroughbred racing is like no other. The pounding hooves and pounding hearts give the sport its own rhythm, its own intensity, even its own language. Emerald Downs opened in 1996 to large crowds. The track replaced Longacres, which closed in September 1992 after sixty seasons of racing. The Emerald Downs track consists of a one mile dirt oval. There is no turf course. The bid board is in the center of the oval track.

But the roses remain the main attraction. Rows and rows of colorful roses! My ritual is to smell as many species and find out of them the best and strongest smelling roses. Usually I find that you can’t go wrong with the purple and lavender ones. They always smell so good, whereas, sometimes I’d find a most vibrant colored blossom but it was scentless. With so many species, I wanted to see if I could find non-purpley ones that were equally aromatic. I did! I overheard a family visiting from Arizona thrilling over the smell of a certain species, so I had to sneak over to them. It’s called the Royal Sunset, and it’s a bush bursting with coral colored roses.

Tacoma streets. I knew we were going to a movie but I had no idea where. The Grand Cinema (usually just referred to as The Grand) was a pleasant little theatre that provides a very intimate or personal setting. When we first pulled up, I kept looking around wondering, “where is the theatre?” and then quickly realized that the unobtrusive brick building that I was staring me in the face, was the very building that I was going to.

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The Old Town Park is also home to a historic piece called the Job Carr Cabin Museum. The cabin is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 1- 4 pm. For some reason, I have never made it within the public hours, but that’s probably best since Baby will probably run around and cause a ruckus. After this family day centered around baby, I look forward to coming back. But next time, I’ll get a babysitter, arrive around 8 pm-ish in my heels with my husband and head straight to the wine bar in Cafe Divino. Or maybe, you just might see us in The Spar at the billiards table!