November Rain….of Events

November 1, 2012November 3, 2012 / dkaltenb / Leave a comment

It’s November and the rain is back in the Pacific Northwest. It’s a time for feasting on the earth’s bounty and gathering with friends and family. The holiday season is getting into full swing… so enjoy!

The Taste of Tulalip, Tulalip Casino Resort, Nov 9-10
Oak Bay Artists’ Studio Tour, Oak Bay/Victoria, British Columbia, Nov 3-4
Christmas Lighting Festival starts on Nov 30th, Leavenworth
Christkindlmarkt, Leavenworth, Nov 23-25
Dine Around Seattle, Nov 4-29 (Sunday thru Thursday)
Arts Alive, La Conner, Nov 2-4
Bellevue Club Holiday Bazaar, Nov 3, Bellevue Club 9 am – 6pm
Northwest Artists’ Holiday Show, Edmonds, Nov 3-4
Cornucopia – Whistler’s Celebration of Wine & Food, Whistler BC, Nov 7-11
Fall Release Weekend, Walla Walla, Nov 1-3
On the Road to Paradise Fall Wine Festival, Ashford, Nov 3
Woodland Park Zoo, Turkey Toss Nov 23; Wildlights – daily 11/23 – 12/23
Seattle International Auto Show, Seattle, Nov 14-18
Seattle Marathon, Nov 25 – run run run away!
Vancouver Rotary Festival of Trees, Pearson Air Museum, Vancouver, WA, Nov 23-25
Grotto’s Christmas Festival of Lights, Portland, OR Nov 23 – Dec 30
Check out a Seattle Seahawks game at home, Nov 4 & 11
and more…

The Ravine Experience

October 30, 2012 / dkaltenb / Leave a comment

Experience the beauty of Fall at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. The tree color is impressive and the various gardens on the grounds showcase a variety of grasses, ferns, water features, and a few left over blooms from the Summer. This is a great way to fill a void. For me, the areas that really shine are the wooded trails that lead to the brand new Ravine Experience. What is the The Ravine Experience? It is a 150 ft. suspension bridge that crosses a ravine and the forest floor while leading to and from are the nature trails in which to view unique topography, wildlife, and foliage. The bridge is anchored on each side by a beautiful stone wall and be sure to notice the materials used to build this impressive structure. This is a great space to visit on your lunch hour, take a peaceful walk (or an exhilarating run), or bring the family for a forest-like experience within the Bellevue, WA city limits. Check on the pics below!

It just so happened that I stopped by as they were starting to prepare the grounds for the annual Garden d’Lights holiday light display. That is next up. http://www.bellevuebotanical.org/

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Harvest Time and the Pumpkin Patch

October 16, 2012October 16, 2012 / dkaltenb / Leave a comment

It’s that time of year…when the adults are decorating for the Fall season and the kiddos are carving their pumpkins for Halloween. Farms are in abundance in Western Washington, whether they’re mixed into the suburbs or throughout the countryside. Many pumpkin patches offer more than just pumpkins…you might find farm animals, corn stalks, hay bales, corn mazes, wagon rides, tractors, scarecrows, something good to eat, and more. It’s a festival all in one!

I happened to stop by Enciso Family Farms pumpkin patch in Renton this year and picked my main pumpkin for seasonal viewing. Also, a few small/mini pumpkins were purchased at Foley’s Produce just down the road on Hwy. 169 in Maple Valley. The pumpkins at the produce stand were certainly unique… some green and came in odd shapes. Pumpkins can be found at the grocery store, home improvement store and the like, but it certainly is fun to explore the farm and all that there is at harvest time.

Some pumpkin patches are large productions and others are understated. A few of the larger “festivals” are Carleton Farms in Lake Stevens, Craven Farm in Snohomish (I visited this farm as a child), and Remlinger Farms in Carnation. No pets are allowed on farms and do remember your camera! You have until October 31st, a couple of weeks left to go get your pumpkins. Enjoy!

Check out the individual farm websites (or those below) for more info.

http://www.festivalofpumpkins.org/

http://www.pugetsoundfresh.org/

http://thecouponproject.com/2012/09/pumpkin-patches-corn-mazes-pierce-county-king-county-puget-sound.html

http://seattle.cbslocal.com/2012/09/22/guide-to-puget-sound-corn-mazes/

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Whale Watching in Washington

September 29, 2012 / dkaltenb / 1 Comment

Whale Watching in Washington State – an all-day adventure! Whale Watching is a great way to get out on the water, view beautiful scenery, meet new people, see something that not too many people get to, and participate in nature. On this day, towards the end of the whale watching season, we were fortunate enough to indeed see a number of Orcas. The season typically runs mid-April to the beginning of October. Go with a friend or make it a family affair. We booked our trip through Mystic Sea Charters out of Anacortes, WA. We were familiar with this company through the wine and dinner cruises via Hellams Vineyard in La Conner. So, we said… why not? There are other departing cities as well, depending on the company you choose.

The 100 ft. Mystic Sea leaves Anacortes around 11 am and returns to dock between 4-5 pm. The route taken will depend on where the whales are spotted, but almost all go somewhere through the San Juan Islands chain. We got the full tour as the pods were up north in the waters around Canada (British Columbia) and the San Juan Islands. Juveniles played and enjoyed catching salmon. The whale fin might remind you of a shark fin at times especially as it approaches a boat. Dun um, dun um, dun um, du da (for you Jaws fans out there).

What to expect? You’ll take a trip there and back, ours was two hours each way. There is indoor seating or enjoy the up close and personal viewing experience out on the deck. Bring playing cards, visit with your neighbor, or grab a bite to eat. Bring your own picnic or purchase food and drink there…chili, sandwiches, candy bars, chips, and the like. Grab a map and follow along as the captain will provide information…. history, facts, geographical. The boat will move to various spots within the waters for prime viewing. There are other boats in the area as well. Bring or wear layers as it will probably get chilly. Also, if photography is a hobby and you would like to record the event, a DSLR camera with appropriate lens is recommended. I brought a point-and-shoot camera with a pretty good zoom and was satisfied with some of the photos, but a larger lens would have really got the job done. You might need to jump from one side of the boat to the other for the optimum viewing experience but do be courteous of the other passengers as everyone wants to get the best shot.

Come aboard and see the many treasures this experience has to offer!

http://mysticseacharters.com/index.php

Seattle Channel 21

August 21, 2012 / dkaltenb / Leave a comment

Seattle Channel 21 is a cable channel (Cable Channel 21) and website that showcases Seattle on a community level, whether it be a neighborhood store or weekend entertainment. Community, news, arts, and shows that “Connect to Life in the City”. This is a needed mention for this Blog as it gives you much of what you might find here (minus the news, politics, and shopping). You will find the Channel provides informative and interesting tidbits but will also find that you will probably feel proud that you live in an area with such history, innovation, and heart.

On the Seattle Channel this past weekend, I saw a couple different pieces on the show/segment CityStream, where visits were made to Book Larder as well as to a hat shop, Byrnie Utz Hats, which has been around since the 1934. Byrnie Utz Hats is located at 310 Union Street in downtown Seattle. You’ll find something from every decade in this place! There is no website to peruse, no computers to take your payment. Visit and you will get old-fashioned quality service with a great selection. Book Larder is located on Fremont Ave. N. in the Fremont district of Seattle. It is a cookbook bookstore that also has readings and cooking demonstrations. http://www.booklarder.com/

Visit http://www.seattlechannel.org/ or go to Cable Channel 21 to check it out and learn something new!

Lake Wilderness Arboretum

August 10, 2012August 10, 2012 / dkaltenb / Leave a comment

Looking for a brief date with nature? Drive to Maple Valley, WA and there you will find Lake Wilderness. Lake Wilderness is just off the beaten path and consists of an Arboretum, a Lodge (used for weddings, conferences, and the like), a Golf & Country Club is nearby, and a Park that includes areas for picnicking, a baseball field, tennis courts, and Lake Wilderness for boating/fishing and swimming. There are annual events…the Winter Wonderland Holiday Light Show in December, a plant sale in May, Shakespeare is performed this year in August, and Music at the Park is at various times throughout the summer (among others).

The Lake Wilderness Arboretum is 42 acres and is in what I would consider a “natural” setting. It is maintained by the Lake Wilderness Arboretum Foundation (a non-profit organization) in a Joint User Agreement with the City of Maple Valley. The Arboretum is split up into different sections and is indicated so by markers. There is a Rhododendron Garden, Shade Garden, Volunteer Garden, Alpine/Rock Garden, Hydrangea Collection, Maple Collection, Perennial Border, Legacy Garden, Wildlife Corridor, Azalea Garden, and Daylily Collection. Each month brings us something new to see. Enjoy a walk on the Tribal Life Trail, which showcases plants native to our area and gives information on how they were used by Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. The trees and a walk in the woods are awe-inspiring yet comforting. Also, along side of the Park is the Green to Cedar Rivers Trail to explore. Enjoy the trails!

The Lake Wilderness Arboretum is open from dawn until dusk. Entry and parking are free. Dogs are welcome (leash laws apply). Tours can be scheduled. Volunteers are much appreciated. http://lakewildernessarboretum.org/ http://www.maplevalleywa.gov/

And while you are out and about, a stop at Foley’s Produce is suggested. Foley’s Produce is located on Hwy 169, is owned by Sean Foley, and carries local goods, much of it from the Yakima, WA area. You are sure to find much of what you need to make a meal or a snack. What can be found here? Corn on the cob, cherries, green beans, peaches, apples (I purchased Ginger Gold which I had not had before), potatoes, peaches, lettuce, tomatoes, avocados, peppers, tortilla chips, local preserves, and much more. There is also a garden section. You can bet I will be going back on a seasonal basis to see what’s new. Looking forward to the upcoming Fall…pumpkins and all! See Foley’s Facebook page for current info. http://foleysproduce.com/

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August in Washington

August 1, 2012 / dkaltenb / Leave a comment

August is typically the warmest month of the year in Washington State. What to do? Check out these suggestions:

Watch the 2012 Summer Olympics!
Sandcastle Championships, Aug 16th – Sept. 6th, Federal Way
Tomato Battle, Aug 11th, Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle
Watch the sunset from Queen Anne Hill
Anacortes Arts Festival, Aug 3-5
Walk Golden Gardens
Poverty Bay Blues and Brews Fest, Aug 25, Des Moines
See June and July for other “generic” ideas
Whidbey Island road trip
See “Rent” at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle
Olympic Music Festival, Quilcene
Camlann Medieval Village Summer Festival, thru Aug 26, Carnation
Port Townsend Blues & Heritage Fest, running thru Aug 5th
Evergreen State Fair, Aug 23 – Sept 3, Monroe
Art in the Garden, Aug 25-26, Bellevue Botanical Garden
Omak Stampede, Aug 9-12, Omak
Coupeville Arts & Crafts Festival, Aug 11-12
Taste of Edmonds, Aug 10-12
Lake Chelan Fine Arts Festival, Aug 17-19
Tacoma Maritime Fest, Aug 25-26
Doe Bay Fest, Aug 9-12, Orcas Island
Seafair Fleet Week, Aug 1-5, Seattle
Seafair Air Show & Hydroplane Races, Aug 3-5, Seattle
Concerts at the Mural, Aug 3-24, Seattle Center
Pierce County Fair, Aug 9-12, Graham
Snoqualmie Railroad Days, Aug 17-19
Go Camping!
and so many more…

Jammin’ July

July 1, 2012July 18, 2012 / dkaltenb / Leave a comment

There is so much to do in July that this is only a mere selection…

Bellevue Family Fourth, Seattle Family Fourth…and more, check your local events calendar and enjoy!
Seattle International Beerfest, July 6-8, Seattle Center
Take a whirl on the new Seattle Great Wheel, Seattle waterfront
Kirkland Uncorked, July 20-22, Marina Park in Kirkland
Kirkland Classic Car Show Cruise In and Dance, July 28-29, Downtown Kirkland
Red Rooster Route Days, July 21-22, Arlington
Bellevue Arts Museum Arts Fair, Bellevue Festival of the Arts, Sixth Street Fair, July 27-29
Seafair, July 7 – Aug 5, Seattle
Seafair Indian Days Pow Wow, July 20-22, Discovery Park, Seattle (SORRY – Cancelled for 2012 due to not enough financial resources – too bad!)
Kent Cornucopia, July 12-15, Kent
Mill Creek Festival and Street Fair, July 14-15, Mill Creek
Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival, July 14-15, Walla Walla
Renton River Days, July 27-29, Renton
Comcast Bite of Seattle, July 20-22, Seattle Center
Sequim Lavender Festival, July 20-22, Sequim (and the Sequim Arts Studio Tour)
Torchlight Parade, Downtown Seattle, July 28th
Chinatown-International District Summer Festival, July 14-15th, Seattle
Seattle Wine Awards, July 22, The Rainier Club
Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival, July 20-22, Winthrop
Could the weekend of July 20-22 get any busier?
Whale Watching… Mystic Sea Charters is a fine choice
Concerts abound at Chateau Ste Michele
Loganberry Festival, July 21st, Greenbank Farm, Whidbey Island
and SO MUCH MORE…

White Water River Rafting

June 12, 2012 / dkaltenb / Leave a comment

Are you a beginner or a seasoned river rafter, either way you are sure to have a good time. This was my first time river rafting, and I really appreciated that Wildwater River Tours made the experience educational, safe, and fun. Kim and Eric were excellent guides. I know I appreciated the how-to and safety tips beforehand. If you follow what your guide says, you will have a good time. Go with a friend, family member or with a group.

We saw Osprey (Seahawks!) and plenty of Mayflies. Seeing that this is June, we wore wet suits – no helmet necessary. Great weather and the water level was just right… it provided enough dips/waves for us to get a bit wet and experience a bit of excitement. We saw other rafters, kayakers, and a wave boarder too.

We all met at Riverside Park in Cashmere, WA and were then drove to an area in Leavenworth, WA for the start. The rafting trip was on the Wenatchee River and approximately 16 miles. The tours run April – July and can be 3-1/2 hours+ depending on the water flow. This is a class III+ river, this means that there are some nice rapids to maneuver through and can be a bit tricky, but with everyone working together a lot of fun too. Not for the very young, but a great time for everyone else.

http://www.wildwater-river.com/