The Seattle Traveler

Planning a way home when you’ve been out partying is the smart thing to do.  But despite good intentions, sometimes things don’t go according to plan.  That’s when Anna can help.
The Anna Armstrong White Foundation (a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization) created Anna’ Ride Home to help make it a little easier for you for those times that maybe your planning was quite on spot. 
Anna’s Ride Home is a partnership between local bars and taxi companies with the sole goal of getting people home safely and off the road.  Bar staff is trained to recognize when a patron may need …read more

Comments Off

Yes, it’s snowing again!
 
Here are some important resources that you are going to need until this weather improves.

Washington State Department of Transportation has information about driving conditions for good or bad weather, and is a key source for adverse driving conditions.  Check out pass conditions, ferry service, and any other transportation you might have.  You’ll also find them on Twitter at wsdot.
City of Seattle provides info about a variety of things you’ll need to know for inclement weather.  From safety alerts, power outages, traffic conditions, to bus routes, and all sorts of other practical information, you’ll want to refer …read more

1 Comment

Much of the greater Seattle area enjoyed a snow today, with many businesses, governmental offices, and school closed.
Flying into Sea-Tac Airport mid-day wasn’t too bad.  In fact, it took me nearly as long to drive home from the airport as it did to fly from San Francisco to Seattle!
No snow when I left home a few days ago.  This is what was waiting when I arrived home this afternoon.  There were lots of kids with sleds, and various boards sliding down the hill having a great school-free day.
 

 
More on the way tonight!  FUN!!!
 
Photos:  personal collection
_____________________________________________

3 Comments

I was traveling into Seattle this morning on the bus.  I confess that I don’t always take the bus when I’m coming into the city, especially at night, but during daylight and/or business hours, I’m a BIG public transportation fan.
As I sat on the bus reading my Kindle, we were zipping along in the HOV (high occupancy vehicle) lane.  When I’d occasionally glance up, all I could see were the brakes lights of all the cars parked, er, I mean driving, on the freeway.
The feeling of no driving stress, the ability to relax, not having to leave home any …read more

1 Comment

One of the many beautiful light displays this time of year is the Parade of Christmas Ships.
 

 
The Christmas Ship is Argosy Cruise Line’s Spirit of Seattle, and it leads off the parade.  Onboard will be music and entertainment, including scheduled shore-side caroling.  Santa will be there checking to see who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, and helping to keep the festivities merry.  There are lots of activities for children (activity corner, sing-a-longs, etc.), you can order a box lunch to eat onboard, and for adults, a cash bar is available.
Don’t worry if the weather is a little chilly; …read more

1 Comment

The fall weather has been cold and crisp, but it’s still not time to hang up the bicycle for the year!  If you’re a year round cyclist, you won’t need this information, but for those of us who tend toward the fair-weather ride, there are probably only another few weeks to get out for a ride.
The Pierce County Bike Map serves as a great guide for rides this fall.  You’ll find the major business centers, attractions, and other key destinations throughout the county listed, along with shared use trails, on-road bikeways, and other bike-friendly routes throughout the county.
The publication …read more

Comments Off

The holiday travel season is nearly upon us.  Do you have your “I’m a good guest so I brought you this lovely gift” gift with you?
If you find yourself at any of the Pacific Northwest airports and you’ve forgotten to pick something up, all is not lost.  You can buy a decent gift, rather than just a crummy souvenir item, at many shops in the airport.
Here’s a starting reference:
At Sea-Tac:

Ex Officio – All sorts of travel clothing and accessories.  I found a great coat there that I’ve packed for many a trip.
Fireworks – Lots of beautiful and whimsical items …read more

Comments Off

With 2009 cars now on the market, Washington State residents in looking to purchase a new car have the new Clean Car Law to think about in making their purchase.  This new regulation provides stricter requirements than the Federal Emissions Guidelines.
In an effort to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gases from cars and trucks, along with the health problems and climate change that they cause, the state patterned this regulation after laws in nearby Oregon and California.  The Clean Car Law requires all 2009 model cars to meet strict clean air standards to be registered, leased, rented, licensed, or …read more

Comments Off

Downtown Seattle can be a bit confusing, but I learned the location of the streets in the downtown core using the following mnemonic:
Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest
The starting letter of each of those words is the starting letter of two consecutive streets in the downtown core. 
Starting at Yesler and working north the twelve streets are:
J = Jefferson, James
C = Cherry, Columbia
M = Marion, Madison
S = Spring, Seneca
U = University, Union
P =  Pike, Pine

That’s still how I remember the streets.  While driving around the other day, I had to spell out the pneumonic to remember that Madison was …read more

2 Comments

 
Details:  I love this photo of parking signs taken from various spots around the Seattle area.  While the city still has relatively easy, if costly, parking, as the population base has grown, it’s become more and more difficult.
 
 
Photo credit:  flickr
_______________________________________________

Comments Off