The Seattle Traveler

One of the brightest spots during the holiday season is the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium and the annual Zoolights exhibit.
Zoolights is a huge holiday light display, with more than half a million lights.  You’ll ooooh and aaaaah at over 70 displays with over 27 miles of lights arranged in traditional holiday displays, along with zoo and aquarium themed displays and local ones.

Wear warm clothes, as the nights are getting colder and I know you’ll want to spend some talking walking among the light displays.
Location:  Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, 5400 North Pearl Street in Tacoma (map it)
Dates & …read more

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It’s time for the annual Thanksgiving tradition.  I’m not talking about the feasting.  Nor the official launch of the holiday shopping season.  I’m talking about a healthier choice –—the running of the Seattle Marathon!
The Marathon starts on 5th Avenue between Harrison and Mercer Streets, east of the Experience Music Project, and ends in Memorial Stadium at the Seattle Center.  You can opt for a full or half marathon, and you can run, walk or go by chair, it’s all about showing up for the celebration of the Marathon.
Date & Time:  Sunday, November 30th.  Marathon Walk starts at 7:15 am; …read more

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Take a peek into some of Seattle’s Haunted past with the Georgetown Haunted History Tour. 
The historical tour is accompanied by creepy stories, ghoulish music, and some theatrics provide by Theatre off Jackson.Along the way you’ll learn about some of the city’s colorful past and even more colorful characters. 
Tours start at Coliman Restaurant in Georgetown, and wend through the neighborhood eventually arriving at the original Rainier Brewery on Airport Way. 
Location:  6932 Carleton Ave South (at East Marginal), in Georgetown (map it)
Dates & Time:  October 24 – 25th.  Tours start at 6 pm, with four tours nightly.
Tickets:  Available …read more

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  There are lots of parks and picnic areas around the greater Seattle area, including some great in-city, urban parks.  Sometimes, though, it’s nice to get out of town, and enjoy a leisurely day away from the crowds.
Mud Mountain Dam near Mount Rainier is a nearby escape where you can combine a little history and natural beauty with your day of fun.
The dam is situated on the White River, and was built for flood control.  A viewing platform gives you a look at the dam, along with a sweeping view of the White River Canyon.  This area is home to …read more

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Details:  Driftwood along Alki Beach in West Seattle.
 
Photo credit: flickr
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The fifth annual Greenway Days Festival is slated for the end of the month, and is a celebration of the Mountains to Sound Greenway, 100 miles of designated scenic byways.  The greenway runs along the I-90 corridor, going from the shores of Puget Sound, over Snoqualmie Pass, and into Central Washington.
Most of the greenway is public land, and encompasses forests, lakes and rivers, trails and campgrounds, farms and historic towns, and wildlife habitat.  The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, a non-profit organization, is charged with protecting this land for the public benefit through conscientious environmental stewardship.
The annual festival gives …read more

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We’ve seen the sun the last few days, and everywhere I look people are out walking, running, biking, enjoying a park or a beach.  It’s not all that warm yet, but I think all of us in Seattle are ready for sun on a more permanent basis.
One popular destination, rain or shine, is Alki Beach in West Seattle. 
Alki Beach was the site of the landing of Seattle’s first white settlers in November 1851, where they found themselves greeted by Chief Seattle.  The Chief and his tribe helped the settler’s build shelters for the winter.  Good thing, because they …read more

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In its 20th year, Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium celebrates the Holiday Season with its display of over a half million lights in designs sure to bring out the oooooohs and aaaaaaaahs in all of us.
What do half a million lights look like? 
There are 70 displays and 27 miles of lights.  And for those of you who enjoy trivia information, it takes 7 miles of extension cords to get these lights lit up.  Some of the displays you’ll see this year include beluga whales, elephants, owls, reindeer, dinosaurs, and the traditional flame tree (in photo above).  …read more

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When I was at BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas, I shared a cab with a couple of guys from New York City.  One of them was explaining that he and his fiance were planning to move away from NYC, and were researching the Seattle area.
We talked a little bit about what they were looking for in terms of housing, neighborhood, employment opportunities, etc., and I think Seattle would be a really good fit for them.
The conversation got me thinking about the various Seattle neighborhoods, and how each one has its own special appeal and “feel,” making it the perfect …read more

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Details:  A great way to spend some quiet time is walking through the Rose Garden at the Woodland Park Zoo.  Admission is free, and there’s lots more besides roses.
Photo:  personal collection
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