Shop For the Obscure - Archie McPhee

Do you often find yourself in need of a zombie torso, a pink Gorilla costume and alien finger puppets, but you don’t know where to go?  Then you haven’t been to Archie McPhee.  Since 1983 Archie McPhee has been Seattle’s and, through mail-order, the World’s supplier of oddities, unique gifts and little Devil Ducks.  Whether you are looking for the perfect compliments for your Zombie Apocalypse party (Brain-flavored mints, Zombie Finger Puppets for impromptu Apocalypse Theater, Brain gelatin mold, and so much more!) or you just need underwear for the squirrels in your neighborhood, Archie McPhee has you covered.  http://www.archiemcpheeseattle.com/

Fly On By - Martha Lake Airfield Park

Many of the parks in Puget Sound have unique origins and many of them are on land with unique histories.  Few of them, however, have the combination that the Martha Lake Airfield Park can boast.  Originally a private airfield until 1990, the land was purchased by Snohomish County in 2000 and developed into a park with the grand opening in 2010.   The park itself consists of a combination of playground, skate park, and sports and open fields.   After spending several hours exploring the ins and outs of the park we still haven’t seen all there is and plan on jetting back soon…(sorry couldn’t resist)

Go Back In Time - The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire

Knights, mythical creatures, majestic Queens … everyone has, at one point or another, been enamored with these images in their lives.  The charging horses and clash of metal of the joust or the quick wit and merry tune of the bards have been a part of so many of our stories and games throughout our lives.   I’m happy to tell you there is a place to experience these things in person…a sort of time machine if you will.

The Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire will whisk you back to the 1570’s where Mary, Queen of Scots, holds court and knights clash in combat for the favor of the Queen.   Beyond the sounds of battle, merchants of all kinds, from clothing and weapons to food and ale, peddle their wares to the various attendees.  The Village of Stonehaven is alive with more than fighting and commerce, bards and traveling troupes of entertainers perform during the course of the day on the various stages throughout the faire and magicians entertain young and old alike with their otherworldly skills.   

Perhaps the best part of the Washington Midsummer Renaissance Faire is the people watching.  Beyond the performers, merchants, knights and the Queen herself is a dedicated group of people who attend the faire to celebrate their passion for all things Medieval.   Many of the fairgoers have created amazing costumes and personas for the faire into which they transform as soon as they cross the castle gates.  Dressing in period outfits and speaking Ye Olde English isn’t necessary to enjoy the fair, but by the end of the day you may have a hard time walking away without envisioning your next visit as a nobleperson from the quaint shire of Seattle.  Huzzah!  http://www.washingtonfaire.com/

Side Trips - Market Theater Gum Wall

Each region has its locations and events that are common knowledge, but some of the more interesting locales fall off the beaten path with only the local population reveling in their quirky, uniqueness.  The Market Theater Gum Wall is one of Seattle's hidden, albeit slightly gross, gems.  The wall, located mere footsteps from Pike Place Market,  began around 1993 when Seattle theater goers began to stick gum to the wall and press coins into it.  The wall was initially seen as a problem and scraped clean twice only to have the city change gears in 1999 and declare it an official tourist attraction. The wall continues to grow as new visitors add their slightly masticated mark on one of Seattle's walls. Pike Place Gum Wall

Shamble With The Undead – Red, White, and Dead Zombie Walk

There are some things that you have to experience in person.  The Red, White and Dead Zombie Walk in the Seattle’s Fremont neighborhood falls squarely in that category.  Every year around the Fourth of July holiday thousands of people channel their inner undead and shamble together for a record breaking zombie horde that George A. Romero would be proud of.  The event features live music (ironic), food, and free make-up tents for the cosmetically challenged living dead.  The festivities lead to a massive Thriller dance, including a quick tutorial, and culminates in the actual walk itself, which winds throughout Fremont.   The crowds start to thin out after the walk, but feel free to stick around for the evening happenings which have included music and outdoor movies in the past. Just know that if you hang around for the entire event, you may have trouble shaking the Zombie mentality the following day. http://www.zombcon.com/ 

Sleep Under The Stars – Olympic National Park, Kalaloch Beach and Ruby Beach

One of the best things about the Pacific Northwest is the wide spectrum of outdoor locales that will take your breath away.   While some of these places are in and around urban areas, some of them require a bit more effort to enjoy them…But the travel is well worth it.  The Olympic National Park falls squarely in this category.   The Park encompasses a major part of the Olympic Peninsula and consists of a variety of locales from old-growth forest to driftwood strewn beaches.   Nestled along the coast amidst the massive trees is Kalaloch Campground.  The campground is reflective of the National Park itself with the deepest campsites surrounded by massive, majestic trees which slowly transitions to sites on beachside cliffs with spectacular views of the ocean.  A short walk from any of the sites takes you down to the long, smooth, sands of Kalaloch Beach.   For a more rugged beach experience we drove a few miles north to explore the ever changing expanse of Ruby Beach.   A visit to Ruby beach requires a check of the tide charts to get the full experience; luckily we found it posted at the beginning of the trail to the beach.   Ruby Beach is beautiful regardless of when you visit, but low tide gives you a chance to explore areas that are normally unreachable.   As the tide goes out, the rocks that were previously jutting out of the surf are slowly transformed into an exploratory playground of tide pools and secluded coves.   After devoting a few hours to exploring, the rest of the afternoon is best spent watching the tide roll in as the sun goes down.  http://www.nps.gov/olym/planyourvisit/exploring-the-coast.htm 

 

Drive up to the past – Dick’s Drive-in

Nothing is as ubiquitous to American cuisine as burgers, fries and shakes.   Since the 1940’s, billions of people have dined on this trifecta of goodness.  In Seattle you can get great burgers and shakes all over the city, but there is only one place where they are still serving it up the way they did when they opened in 1954: Dick’s Drive-In.  Dick’s has been a favorite of Seattleites for over 50 years for good reason.  Every item on the menu is handmade everyday: that’s right, the patties are hand-pressed, the fries are fresh-cut, and the shakes are from real ice cream.  This is one of the myriad reasons that people will go out of their way to visit one of the five (soon to be six) Dick’s locations scattered around the city. Another is the seldom changing menu.  Dick’s menu has only changed twice since it was first printed and the prices reflect the simplicity…in fact there isn’t an item on the menu over $2.50!   A trip to Dick’s is like a trip to a different era: handmade, fresh and affordable…the perfect mix for a quick bite to eat. http://www.dicksdrivein.com/

Enjoy the Variety – Carkeek Park

Generally a city park consists of a single defining feature.  There are forested hiking parks, beachfront parks and even parks primarily consisting of large open fields ideal for frolicking.  Carkeek Park has it all in its 220 acre expanse: large open fields, endless trails through the forest canopy, a beautiful Pacific Northwest beach and an ocean themed play structure that includes a large salmon with a slide running its length.  At the entrance to the park is the Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center.  The Center was designed and built with the environment in mind and is the first building in Seattle to achieve the Gold level of the US Green Building Council's LEEDs rating system.  Piper’s Creek, which runs through the park, provides a fantastic natural backdrop to the lower fields but is most alive during the late fall – early winter with chum salmon returning to spawn. Overall, Carkeek Park is a perfect respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/environment/Carkeek.htm

Play The Game - Card Kingdom

In this digital age the classic board game has slipped somewhat in popularity, which is unfortunate as there is a multitude of fantastic card and board games available now with more being released every month.  From gaming staples such as Settlers of Catan and Magic the Gathering to new classics including like the incredibly fun, zombie inspired Last Night on Earth or the RPG on a board, Runescape, the spectrum of games out there is varied and growing.   In Seattle there are a few places to find these gems but none better than Card Kingdom and with their recent move and expansion, they are the ideal location to try your hand at creating your own civilization or delving deep into a dungeon.  The new location is open and spacious, with plenty of gaming tables available to try a game from their library.  The expansion also allowed them to add a larger tournament area in the back, gaming tables for miniatures, and Café Mox, their new place to grab a drink and a bite to eat.  The staff, as always, are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable with game suggestions at the ready based on your inquiries.  The only downside of a visit to Card Kingdom is trying to figure out which game to play first. 

Card Kingdom  5105 Leary Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98107

 

Become A Bibliophile – Friends of the Library Book Sale

There is something about a book that an “e”version can’t replace.  The tactile feel of the pages, the slightly musty smell of old books aged like a fine wine.  If you have a visceral connection with books and you like them cheap, the Friends of the Library Book Sale at Magnuson Park is the place to go.  The sale is a biannual event, generally occurring in Mid-April and Mid-September, with over 100,000 books for sale at around the $1 range and an entire section of “Better” books at a slightly higher price for the more discerning palette.  The shear volume of literature available for purchase is nearly overwhelming and you can easily spend hours poring over titles in every genre from the classics to textbooks.  The event is well attended so be prepared to rub elbows with other bibliophiles (and book sellers) but it’s all worth it in the end.  The rewards far outweigh the effort. http://friendsofspl.org/booksale

Old Country Meets New Country - Tutta Bella

Beyond sharing a name, Pizza and Neapolitan Pizza have little else in common.  While your standard pizza generally has a dense crust and is piled high with sauces and toppings, a Neapolitan Pizza is a thin, crispy pie with just a touch of softness around the crust.  The toppings are used sparingly with the flavors balanced in every bite.   Neapolitan pizza has sprung up in several of the neighborhoods in and around Seattle, but Tutta Bella’s four locations constantly serves up some of the best.  We were lucky enough to arrive at Tutta Bella right at the tail end of happy hour so we could take advantage of their cheap eats.  We started off with a few of the Stuzzichini or little bites.  The candied almonds are an amazing treat, with a touch of sea salt and rosemary and the marinated olives come in a range of tastes from salty and rich to spicy.  The pizza, of course, was the main attraction.  Our Regina Margherita was exactly what we expected, a soft and crisp crust with a tangy sauce, layered with fresh basil, mozzarella and tomato.  If you’re lucky enough to be seated near the open kitchen you can watch your pizzas as they are prepared.   My only complaint is that I seem to reach for the last slice moments too late.

Never Say Die – Astoria to Cannon Beach

 If you can instantly identify the Truffle Shuffle and have an urge for Baby Ruths, a trip to the Oregon coast is a must.  At the end of a 3 hour drive south of Seattle lies the city of Astoria, Oregon.  Astoria is probably best known as the filming location for the cult film Goonies.   The city has embraced its film locales by turning the jailhouse from the beginning of Goonies into the Oregon Film Museum. 

Scattered throughout the rest of the city are various other film locales such as the bowling alley where Chunk smeared the window and  the Captain George Flavel House Museum where Mikey’s dad supposedly worked, but the pinnacle of locations to visit is definitely the Goonies House itself.  The Victorian Style house sits at the top of a short gravel driveway with a sign that not only lets you know you’ve found the right place, but that Goonies are welcome to walk up but not drive.  The house hasn’t changed much since the movie, but then again that’s the beauty of it. 

From the Goonies locations we headed up to the Astoria Column which was built in 1926 and was refurbished in 1995 and 2004.  The Column rises up 125 feet above the hilltop and, after climbing to the observation platform at the top, it has the most amazing views of the ocean, Columbia River and the surrounding hills and valleys. 

The final location to cap off the Goonies theme to our trip was a stop at Cannon Beach to take in Haystack Rock.  The large stone monolith juts out the ocean leaving no doubt that you have found what you were looking for.  The only thing missing is a galleon sailing out to sea.  http://www.thegoonies.org/

Take Your Breath Away - Kerry Park

Every city has that one spot that you have to see the cityscape from.  Seattle is lucky enough to have several, although Queen Anne’s Kerry Park is probably the most recognizable and the one you are most likely to be directed to when visiting.  The spectacular, panoramic views of downtown Seattle, West Seattle, the Olympic peninsula and majestic Mt. Rainer were given to the populace in 1927 when Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sperry Kerry, Sr. donated the land “so that all who stop here may enjoy this view."   The low stone wall sits on the edge of a steep hill that leads down to the lesser known Lower Kerry Park which has areas for picnics, a playground and a basketball court, but the real draw here is the view.  No matter what day you visit, the incredible view will not disappoint, but on the right day, at the right time the view is magical and the city burns itself into your mind. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/

Dungeons & Dinner - AFK Tavern

Crave a spicy Dragon Burger or a +1 plate of fries and some entertainment to boot? This is your restaurant.  I have been known to pack around a deck of cards or a dice game to while away the time at restaurants and bars.  At AFK Tavern this is a nonissue.  The self-proclaimed “place for geeks and gamers” supplies you with a list of “Games on Tap” right along with your menu.  Spanning the gaming spectrum with choices in card, dice, board, roleplaying, PS3 and XBOX games, the list is a bit daunting at first, but the staff is more than happy to give advice and let you know their favorites.  The atmosphere is relaxed with several groups of people enjoying the game selection while eating.  Did I mention they serve food?  The menu covers much of what you would expect at a tavern with some pleasant twists in the mix. The fried pickle caps are crispy without the usual sogginess you usually encounter and all of our sandwiches were well put together with a nice balance of flavors.   Best of all our food was delivered to the table amidst a challenging game of Space Invaders on a vintage Atari.  http://www.afktavern.com

Food On Wheels - El Camion

In many cities street food is becoming a way of life. Food trucks are springing up all around the country with a massive variety of offerings to satisfy any palate.   Sometimes, though, when people go with the traditional take on an idea, they give their clients something worth talking about. El Camion, “the truck”, is just that, a large kitchen on wheels that serves amazing, authentic Mexican food that will make your mouth water and your brain demand more.  Easily one of the best food trucks in the city, the distinctive glossy black trailers hide the bustling kitchen inside, with quick service as soon as you approach the window.  El Camion currently has three locations that cover north and south as well as Seattle itself making an ideal location for lunch wherever you are.   My personal weakness is the Torta, a Mexican sandwich made on a grilled bread roll similar to a French bread.  The veggie Torta is smothered in grilled vegetables and topped with lettuce, mayonnaise, avocado, tomato, jalapeno and pico de gallo and garnished with a roasted jalapeño.  The combination of the soft, seared bread and the fresh grilled veggies is amazing.   Although the Tortas are certainly large enough for a meal, I find myself pondering a second one every time.   http://www.elcamionseattle.com/

Get Your Geek On -Emerald City Comicon

Once a year thousands of people gather under one roof downtown Seattle and wave their Geek Credentials proudly.  I am one of those people.  Emerald City Comicon is a destination not to be missed.  Since 2003, Emerald City Comicon has been hosting world class artists and celebrities for a weekend of shopping, sharing, exploring, cosplay, panels, and of course autographs.  This year was no different as the organizers of the Comicon continued to bring the big guns. William Shatner.  There I said it. I attended the Comicon, he attended the Comicon.  I didn’t get a chance to see him but then again he didn’t get a chance to see me either, so I think that makes us even (although we did see an amazing Captian Kirk circa 1967).  Other than celebrity sightings, the Comicon has an astounding array of vendors for everything from Golden Era Comics to custom-made fangs while you wait, with vintage toys, various games and collectables also being heavily represented.   DC Comics, XBOX, Image Comics and Dark Horse embodied some of the bigger names there, but they were far outnumbered by the smaller, independent publishers, web comics and of course the artists themselves.    We spent a single day roaming the exhibition hall, seeing old friends, playing games and meeting the incredible talent, and in that time we realized eight hours just may not be enough.   http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

Historic Green Space - Kubota Garden

Few green spaces in Seattle have as interesting of a backstory as the Kubota Garden.  Initially created by Fujitaro Kubota in 1927, the gardens were a place where he could craft, design, grow and display the greenery for the Japanese-style gardens he installed in the Puget Sound area.  Since that time, the Gardens have grown to nearly 20 acres, been abandoned during WWII when the family was placed in an internment camp, restored by Fujitaro and his sons and declared a Historical Landmark of the City Of Seattle in 1981.  We arrived at the Gardens on a chilly February afternoon and as soon as we entered the gorgeous gates we realized we virtually had the entire Gardens to ourselves. The construction of the ponds and waterfalls along the walkways is somehow massive and delicate simultaneously and the winding paths constantly led us to new corners to be explored.   Of particular note were the multiple footbridges ranging from the small, hand-cut stone paths up to the large moon bridge that symbolizes the difficulty of living a good life: "Hard to walk up and hard to walk down."  Even in the slightly drifting snow, Kubota Garden kept us entranced and exploring its many pathways.   We can’t wait to return in the spring when the flowers are in bloom…and the weather is more hospitable. http://www.kubotagarden.org/visit/about-the-garden/

Smell The Ocean Air - Seattle Waterfront

 There is something about the waterfront of any city on the ocean.  Each has its own character that shines through. The Seattle waterfront is no different.  Packed full of restaurants, gift shops, tour groups and activities, the waterfront is an easy place to lose an afternoon.  We began at Pike Place Market and descended the stairs through the “Down Under” region and continued down along the Pike Place Hillclimb to the piers.   

Our first stop was the Bay Pavilion (or Miners Landing depending on your preference) at Pier 57.  Starting at the back of the pier, we watched the vintage carousel spin round, entertaining young and old alike.  In the arcade area, the sound of calliope music mixes with the more modern soundtracks of the assorted video games. At $1.50 per ride the carousel is worth a ride if you have the time.  

From Pier 57 we headed to Ye Old Curiosity Shop located at Pier 54.  No visit to Seattle is complete without a visit to this amazing collection of curios and gifts. The Ye Old Curiosity Shop was established in 1899 and is still going strong today.  Inside you will find an astonishing assortment of the weird and unusual ranging from fleas in evening wear and antique scrimshaw work to genuine shrunken heads and mummies.  Amidst the curious collection is perhaps Seattle’s only landmark gift shop or rather gift shop turned landmark.  The Curiosity Shop carries an eclectic array of knick-knacks and souvenirs to cover the entire spectrum of gift giving for every event ...or perhaps just for yourself.   

After a long look through Ye Old Curiosity Shop, the logical next stop is next door at Ivar’s restaurant.   If you have the time you can head inside for a nice sit down meal, but the true experience is outside at the walk-up windows.   They do things a bit different out here.  Once you know what you want, approach the window, get the workers attention and shout out the fried items of your order.  Don’t worry, they seem to have steel traps for minds and will not forget your order even if there are dozens of people yelling out.   When your items are cooked the cashier will add anything not deep-fried (drinks, coleslaw, chowder, etc.) and then get you on your way.  Around the corner from this chaos are rows of benches, tables and a covered eating area. The covered area is great for the rainy days, but if it's nice out you are denying yourself part of the experience:  Seagulls.  As you eat, these scavengers of the sky will creep ever closer until they are nearly sitting at the table with you.  As opposed to most of the areas in the city, feeding these wild animals is encouraged, with the sky filling with the sound of beating wings as soon as food is presented.  If you’re feeling daring you can hand feed these scavengers of the skies…Just count your fingers afterward.

http://www.seattlewaterfront.org/ 

http://www.pier57seattle.com/

http://www.yeoldecuriosityshop.com/ 

http://www.ivars.com/