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

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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

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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

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I have met many wonderfully generous people through blogging, and the depth of their knowledge and willingness to share it with others is truly amazing.
From personal stories to recommendations, from to-do lists to dreams, I love how blogging allows us to share with one another in ways that can sometimes be quite amazing.
But in the midst of this online world and community, it’s important that we don’t forget that there are still books being printed out there.  And just as important as supporting our online friends, I would hope that we can support their mainstream writing efforts.
One of my …read more

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I spent most of this afternoon wandering the aisles at the Adventure Travel Expo. 
One thing that I’ve always liked about this show is that there is always great signage showing you where you need to go.  In a venue as large as the Washington State Convention Center, and with other events going on, it’s nice to have the way clearly marked so that you aren’t stumbling around.
Unfortunately, the Seattle show is small compared to other venues, but still there was lots of good stuff to see.  Because today was also a big home Husky football game, attendance was …read more

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Adventure comes to Seattle this month in the form of the Adventure Travel Expo.
I’ve been to this expo before, and I was very excited that this year its making an appearance here on my home turf of Seattle.
The Expo will feature a great trade show, full of booths and displays about all sorts of adventures – from the mildly adventurous to the very daring.  Whether you define adventure as visiting a foreign city, climbing a mountain, traveling by yourself, or somewhere in between, you’ll find something here to pique your interest.
There will also be a lot of great educational …read more

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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

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Apparently Seattle is NOT as green as it would like to think it is.  And the City council has decided to do something about it. 
That something is a new tax – a 20 cent “fee” on plastic and paper bags used at grocery, drug, and convenience stores. The city estimates that the use of disposable bags will be reduced by over 50% with the institution of this bag fee.
Seattle is going to be green if we have to tax you into it!
You can avoid the fee by bring along your personal reusable bags for shopping.  As part of …read more

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Cell phone users must put down their phones starting July 1st, 2008, or face stiff traffic fines.  That’s when Washington State’s new “hands free” law goes into effect, requiring all drivers to use a head set when talking on their cell phone while driving.
Although holding a cell phone to your ear isn’t grounds for the police to pull you over for a primary stop, it will result increase any other fraction imposed to the tune of $124.
You’ve got ten days to buy a head set and figure out how to use it.  It’s the law!
 
Image credit:  Amazon
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Outlet and factory store shopping has become a popular vacation activity, and the Seattle area has four for you to choose from.
Supermall of the Great Northwest

Where it is:  1101 SuperMall Way, Auburn (map it), about a half hour to 40 minutes from Seattle. 
What you’ll find:  Indoor outlet shopping that includes Aeropostale, Ann Taylor, As Seen on TV, Banana Republic Factory Outlet, Bath & Body Works, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Burlington Coat Factory, Eddie Bauer Outlet, Sports Authority, Sports Authority, and Old Navy Clothing Co.

Seattle Premium Outlets

Where it is:  10600 Quil Ceda Boulevard, Tulalip (map it), about a …read more

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