Emerald Downs

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Horse racing at Emerald Downs on a Friday evening in May!   Emerald Downs is located in Auburn, WA and offers a beautiful view of Mount Rainier on a clear day.  If you have not been to a horse racing event/race track before, it is an interesting experiment.  It is fun to watch the people (and you see all kinds) and to get to know the ins and outs of the sport.  Purchase a program for $2.50 – you will find the number of races, the participants (name of the horse, owner, jockey, colors, etc…), and information on the types of wagers and on how to read a race page.  To get a head-start, check out the types of wagers online before you go.  

Emerald Downs first opened its to doors to race fans on June 20, 1996. It replaced Longacres Racetrack, which closed in September 1992 after sixty seasons of racing.  The Longacres Mile Handicap – a Grade III event, is held annually in August (and is the showpiece of Emerald Downs).   The race is open thoroughbred horses three years of age and older and is run on dirt over a distance of one mile (eight furlongs).  Part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge series since 2008, the winner of the Longacres Mile automatically qualifies for the Breeder’s Cup.

A variety of food and service can be had on the different levels.   The concessions and service at the food court/snack area might remind you of being at the fairgrounds but there are other options including a full-service restaurant (reservations are available) and in-house catering.  There is box seating, reserved seating, bar service, a members only club, and a view room or suite that can accommodate your next party or corporate get-together.  Or bring a blanket and lay in the Park.  A corporate outing attended years earlier proved to be a good time. 

 http://www.emeralddowns.com/

Queen Anne Delight

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A few hours spent on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle, WA…

Stop #1 – Hilltop Ale House served up a hearty Diamond Knot “Summer” Brown Ale, Artichoke Hummus Pita Plate and a to die for “The Goat Cheese Salad”.  Ingredients for The Goat Cheese Salad include:  creamy goat cheese, rolled in olive oil and bread crumbs, then baked in oven, placed on fresh mixed greens tossed with roasted pecans, sliced red onion, oven baked herbed croutons with freshly made Sundried Tomato-Balsamic Vinaigrette.  http://www.seattlealehouses.com/  

Stop #2 – Caffe Fiore – http://caffefiore.com/   This friendly neighborhood cafe opened in 2005 serving all organic coffee as well as pastry/snacks.  There are multiple tables – some big enough to share with other members of the community and chairs on the front/side patio to take in the south sun… great way to spend a lazy afternoon.  The dark chocolate mint cookie is a delight.

Stop #3 – Top Pot Doughnuts – http://www.toppotdoughnuts.com/  One of the regions favorites!  Try the sprinkled Seattle Sounders doughnut.  Check out “Our Story” to find out how they came up with the name Top Pot.

Miles Traveled

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Whether you walk, jog, or run… www.mapmyrun.com “empowers active lifestyles” or those trying to :).  Offers training tips, lists events, social connection, and allows you to track your own progress, create your own map, or get suggestions for a route near you… or wherever you may roam.  Another option:   http://www.run.com/ lists routes in other countries which is especially fun if you like maps and international travel.

Merlot Gone Mad

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May 2nd –  Merlot Gone Mad at the Tulalip Resort Casino in Marysville, WA.   This event showcased over 50 Washington State wineries (serving Merlot), an educational wine seminar and Tulalip chef demonstrations.  The Tulalip chefs prepared merlot-friendly foods for sampling.  My favorite offering consisted of  a Heritage Salmon over fire-roasted corn fritters (Blackfish Restaurant) 

Sorry, couldn't wait!

and a Rotisserie leg of American lamb with hard cider apple salsa and stone ground mustard crostini (Eagle Buffet).  The Tulalip Bay Restaurant and the Banquet and Pastry chefs also provided delicious options.  If you haven’t been to the Tulalip Casino for a meal, it is certainly worthwhile (with a variety of cuisine and pricepoints to choose from).  If you are looking for a future food & wine event…mark your calendars for The Taste of Tulalip, November 12th and 13th, 2010.  http://www.tulalipresort.com/entertainment/taste-of-tulalip.aspx

Interesting to note:  there was an actual Tweet table which presented the Tweeters tweeting as they were tasting during the event.  Also, that morning, The Seattle Times published an article on Stan Jones, longtime leader of the Tulalip Tribes –http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2011757441_stanjones02m.html

The Tulalip Resort Casino is adorned in Northwest and Native American decor.  The Hotel offers guest rooms and suites, amenities include banquet/meeting rooms, the Oasis pool (which looks like an oasis…waterfall included), spa services, gift shops, a comfy fireplace/lounge, and a walkway that leads us to the restaurants, casino, and entertainment.  For those of you with an interest in fine dining, the Tulalip Bay Restaurant invites you to watch James Beard House invitee Chef Dean Shinagawa work his craft or experience the intimate wine room that contains a handcrafted chandelier designed by artist Dale Chihuly.  Oh, and on your arrival, waterfalls and Orcas will greet you.  http://www.tulalipresort.com/

Cedar River Trail on a Sunday afternoon in April

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It was just like Summer…many enjoying the beautiful blue sunny skies. This was a first on the Cedar River Trail…walked from the Maplewood Golf Course area to Lake Washington. Did you know that you could rent a kayak or canoe or take a lesson at the Cascade Canoe & Kayak Center? Also along the way we came across tables for picnicing, those taking their inflatable raft out, walkers, bikers, a playground, those enjoying the skate park and the always irresistible dog park. It was approximately a 6 mile walk although the trail extends further.

http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/trails/regionaltrailssystem/cedarriver.aspx

http://www.canoe-kayak.com/

http://www.rentonoffleash.org/Dog_Park_Info.html

Frank Sinatra sings…

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Frank Sinatra sang “Let’s take a boat to Bermuda/let’s take a plane to St. Paul/let’s get away from it all! ” To travel is to give into wanderlust — regardless of how you define it. You may crave a wild adventure or simply want to admire mother nature from the serenity of a hammock. You may love the thrill of jumping on the subway in a gigantic city or instead dream of kayaking down a solitary river. In other words, “Let’s leave our hut, dear/Get out of our rut, dear/Let’s get away from it all.”

La Conner and Tulips

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La Conner, WA is a good example of a Northwest spirited town.  At approximately an hour and a half from Seattle, it is a perfect trip for a romantic getaway, a shopping trip with friends, or your own private excursion. La Conner has a variety of specialty shops – clothing, art, kitchen, antiques, jewelry, a fabulous wine shop, and a variety of pubs and restaurants.

It’s a good day trip or you can make it an overnight stay. My favorite place for lodging is the Channel Lodge but have also had a good experience at the Heron Inn (and friend Julie liked the Watergrass Day Spa). Others have received good reviews as well.  http://www.laconnerlodging.com/

A couple weeks ago I enjoyed the best Soup of the Day at The Next Chapter bookstore and coffeehouse…an Adobe Chicken Chipolte Corn Chowder – fabulous! The Next Chapter bookstore is cozy and offers a nice variety of books, cards, and treats.

Also, I can’t say enough about Hellams Vineyard. This wine shop offers a great selection of wine (and beer). A bottle or glass can be purchased to enjoy out on the deck on the Swinomish Channel. Hellams also offers specialty cheese and meat plates and other wine pairing foods. A must see is the beautiful African hardwood tasting bar.  http://hellamsvineyard.com/

Other experiences include the La Conner Brewing Company, Palmers, Seed’s Bistro & Bar, Nell Thorn Pub, and the Cascade Candy Company (hard to pass up a scoop of Moose Tracks ice cream…a once a year treat). I still haven’t tried the Calico Old Town Cafe & Bakery but see that there is often a wait (the location in Mount Vernon is really good).

Meandering through the tulip fields is a must-do event while visiting the Skagit Valley during late March through April.  A stop at Christianson’s Nursery is always enjoyed and certain times during the festival, the Stanwood Camano Arts Guild show art in the old schoolhouse located on the property.  I purchased a number of note cards.  A stop was made at the Country at Heart Gift Shop  for my favorite…Marionberry pie.  So many other events and activities to explore.  http://www.tulipfestival.org/

To finish the day, my husband and I saw a local production of Back to the 80’s at McIntyre Hall Performing Arts Center…a very nice venue for a show.  Other performances are booked year-round.  http://www.mcintyrehall.org/

P.S. The picture being used as the header for this blog currently is that of the Channel Lodge, taken from the deck outside of Hellams Vineyard