The Ravine Experience

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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

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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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October’s the month…

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October’s the month
When the smallest breeze
Gives us a shower
Of autumn leaves.
Bonfires and pumpkins,
Leaves sailing down –
October is red
And golden and brown.

October leaves are lovely
They rustle when I run
Sometimes I make a heap
And jump in them for fun.

Autumn leaves float quietly down
And form a carpet on the ground.
But when those leaves are stepped upon,
Listen for the crackling sound.

Can Teach Songs

 

October Fun!

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October… the leaves have started to fall and will soon be ready for raking, photography, and play.  Some suggestions for frolicking Fall fun this month:

  • Issaquah Salmon Days, Oct 6-7
  • Oysterfest, Shelton, Oct 6-7
  • 8th Annual Oktoberfest Northwest, Puyallup, Oct 5-7
  • 10th annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Downtown Yakima, Oct 6
  • Pumpkin Bash and Trick or Treating, Woodland Park Zoo, Sat/Sun Oct 13-14, 20-21, 27-28
  • Dungeness Crab & Seafood Festival, Port Angeles, Oct 12-14
  • Water Music Festival, Long Beach, Oct 12-14
  • Cedar River Salmon Journey, every weekend in October, five locations – http://www.cedarriver.org/programs/
  • Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Oct 5,6,12,13,19,20
  • Whidbey Island Open Studio Tour, Oct 6-7
  • Road trip to the Coast
  • Puyallup Art & Wine Walk, Oct 6
  • Oktoberfest, Langley, Oct 6
  • Head to your nearest nursery and check out their Fall offerings
  • Catch the Crush Wine Festival, Tri-Cities & Yakima Valley, Oct 13-14
  • Meerkerk’s Autumn Garden Festival, Greenbank, Oct 6-7
  • Electrical Extravaganza Show, Spark Musuem, Bellingham, Oct 13-14
  • Old Apple Tree Festival, Vancouver, WA Oct 6
  • Festival of Family Farms, Skagit Valley, Oct 6-7
  • Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle, Oct 12 – Nov 4
  • Catch the Crush Wine Festival, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley, Oct 13-14
  • Cranberrian Fair, Ilwaco, Oct 13-14
  • Take a hot air balloon ride over wine country (Yakima Valley/Walla Walla)
  • Navigate a corn maze

Whale Watching in Washington

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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

Do The Puyallup!

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The Puyallup Fair is here once again and runs through September 23rd.  Located in Puyallup, WA, the Puyallup Fair is also known as the Western Washington Fair to some.  Things to Do?  Whether it is the tried and true Krusty Pup, Pete’s BBQ or if you try something new… the Fair food is sure to please!  There are a number of beer/liquor/wine gardens that offer live (or TV) entertainment as well.  And speaking of live entertainment, the Puyallup Concert Series offers a good mix of artists to choose from.  Why not visit the wide variety of animals while you’re here… like the six-day old piglets (the day I was there anyway), the Beef Barn (cattle), chicks, rabbits or take in the rodeo (although you’ve missed the rodeo as it was Sept 7-9th).  Catch the largest pumpkin recorded in Puyallup Fair history or check out your favorite hobby, agriculture display, chainsaw carving, and more.  And of course, there are plenty of vendors trying to sell their goods and services.  Oh, and we can’t forget the rides now can we?  Maybe you’ll try The Giant Slide, Vertigo (swing), or Zero Gravity.  One of the new exhibits this year is the Rainforest Adventure –  you’ll find toucans, snapping turtles, roaches, and more – a welcomed addition!   And if you are looking for a bit of history… Brown & Haley is celebrating their 100th year  – you might like to purchase a commemorative tin of Almond Roca for a gift… the holidays will soon be at our doorstep.  They are also part of this year’s Fair Museum.   So much to see!

Check out my September 2010 posting for additional insight or  http://www.thefair.com/puyallup-fair/  Whether you are a seasoned fair goer or this is your first time …. you’ll want to come back for more!

Note:  Starting next year, they are changing the name of the Puyallup Fair to the Washington STATE FAIR.  Somewhat similar to the Evergreen State Fair… in Monroe.

 

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Bumbershoot 2012

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This year, I will describe Bumbershoot, which takes place every Labor Day weekend at the Seattle Center… in a word search (by just using the words). These words showcase the first day of Bumbershoot as a whole, as my experience (and maybe yours):

VIBE   SUN   BUMBERSHOOT   SEATTLE  CENTER   SPACE  NEEDLE   ANNIVERSARY   LAWN   PROGRAM   INTRODUCTION   SAMPLING   EXPOSURE   KIDS   WORDS   INTERNATIONAL   FOUNTAIN   SHORTS  FILM   MUSIC   DANCE   PERFORMING   VISUAL   ART   COMEDY   LINEUP   ACT   GALUMPHA   ELVISTRAVAGANZA   JC BROOKS & THE UPTOWN SOUND   THE HEAVY   LEAD  SINGER   BAND   AWOLNATION   RECORD   CD   BOOK   SIGNING   JOHN WATERS   AWESOME   THE JAYHAWKS   AND  MORE   BEER  GARDEN   WHITE   CORN DOG   VARIETY   ARMORY   FOOD   OPEN MIND   AMERICANA   SOUL   FUNK   ROCK   JELLO WALL   GLASS   SKYWARD   INDIE   TWEET   SEPTEMBER   SATURDAY   ONE REEL

Bumbershoot 2012 runs September 1-3 – now get ready to go!

September Events

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Football season has arrived and September is the official start of the Autumn season –  my favorite!   Will we jump into Fall or will we be blessed with an Indian Summer?  What to do this month you ask?  Well, check this out…

  • Wenatchee River Salmon Festival, Sept 20-23
  • Autumn Leaf Festival, Leavenworth, Sept 28-30
  • Bremerton Blackberry Festival,  Sept 1-3
  • Bumbershoot, Seattle Center, Sept 1-3
  • Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival, Sept 7-9
  • Puyallup Fair, Sept 7-23
  • Try out Bake’s Place in downtown Bellevue   http://bakesplacebellevue.com/
  • Wooden Boat Festival, Port Townsend, Sept 7-9
  • Deutschesfest, Odessa, Sept 14-16
  • Snohomish Pumpkin Hurl and Medieval Faire, Sept 15-16
  • See Memphis at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, Sept 18 – Oct. 7
  • Fremont Oktoberfest, Fremont area of Seattle, Sept 21-23
  • Take a drive and visit Portland’s Japanese Garden
  • Leavenworth Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival, Sept 15
  • Whidbey Island Farm Tour, Sept 15-16
  • Most Farmers Markets are still in full swing!
  • Fisherman’s Fall Festival, Seattle, Sept 22
  • Seattle Fringe Festival, Sept 19-23
  • Festa Italiana, Seattle Center, Sept 28-30 (It’s the Space Needle’s 50th Anniversary)
  • The Great Prosser Balloon Rally, Prosser, Sept 28-30
  • Aki Matsuri Japanese Fall Festival, Bellevue College, Sept 8-9
  • Take in a Seattle Seahawks game – two home games this month!

Vito’s Seattle

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Looking for some old school (classic) Italian cuisine in Seattle?  Vito’s is the place!  How many times have you driven by it?  Probably a lot considering it is located on First Hill on the corner of 9th and Madison. Vito’s has a 1950’s vibe, reminding me of a time when the men were taking their ladies out, while at the same time watching the door for an enemy to come through the door.  When you visit the “About Vito’s” section of the website, you will find a bit of history (it was established in 1953) and photos of what Vito’s looks like now.

Vito’s is a 21 and over establishment.  The restaurant and lounge are open from 4pm – 2 am daily, and open for a “Two Martini Lunch” on Fridays.  It is one open room with a horseshoe-shaped bar that separates the lounge and restaurant.  It is nice that it is open so all can enjoy the live music, provided five days a week.  Check out the Entertainment page on www.vitosseattle.com for a lineup of live entertainment.  On the night in which we visited, there was no live music but what was playing overhead had a “Shack” or “70’s” feel.  The conversation then transpired into the shows of the 70’s and those who hosted them, etc… An example?  Newlywed Game, Gong Show, Love Boat, and was Shack just a movie or a TV series?  Was it Chuck Berry or Chuck Barris that hosted the Gong Show?  We had our trusty smartphones, so we were able to confirm the answers right there and then.  The “Cougar Room” is available for meetings, private parties, and dining for groups up to 18.

Not only are parts of your meal house-made (like the Meatballs) but the selection and flavor are certainly there too.  What are the offerings?  Antipasti like Beef Carpaccio, Cozze, Calamari, and Bruschetta di Pomodoro & Tapendada. There is Dolci, Sides, Insalata E Zuppe, and Specialita Della Casa (Cioppino, Eggplant Parmesan, Scampi al Limone, Chicken Marsala, Pan Seared Sea Scallops).  There is also Pasta of course!  Our party chose the Spaghetti with Meatballs (or Sausage), Penne Bolognese, Vito’s Famous Cannelloni, and the Ravioli of the Day, which was a Pear Gorgonzola with Walnuts.  Yum!

I am looking forward to my next visit!  http://vitosseattle.com/ Twitter: @vitosseattle