January 2012 Archives
Looking ahead to spring, part II
The Seattle Annual Northwest Flower and Garden Show signifies that spring is, indeed, on the way. This year’s show is February 8 – 12th, held at the downtown Convention Center (7th and Pike).
There are over 300 exhibitors and seminars scheduled this year…lots of variety; something for everyone!
Convention Center parking is $12.00 for 4 – 5 hours. The round trip adult fare (Sound Transit 594 from Lakewood Station to 4th and Union in downtown Seattle) is $7.00. Do the math….of course you’ll take the bus! (Details in getting to the Lakewood Station are included in the Seattle Boat Show post.)
For the bus schedule, see Sound Transit at www.soundtransit.org
For details on the garden show, see their website at www.gardenshow.com
Looking ahead to Spring?
After this past week of snow and ice, I imagine that you’re dreaming of springtime? There’s nothing like the Seattle Boat Show to recall sun and water-filled fun. And what better way to get to Seattle than to take the bus!
Here are this year’s Seattle Boat Show details:
When: January 27 – February 5th
Where: Century Link Field Event Center AND South Lake Union
How much: $12 for adults, $5 for youth (ages 11-17), free for age 10 and younger.
Website: www.seattleboatshow.com (you can buy tickets on line)
How to get there by the bus…
From Olympia, you can take Intercity Transit bus 603 (620 on weekends) to the Highway 512 Park and Ride transfer center. See www.intercitytransit.com for the time schedule.
If you prefer, you could also drive from Olympia to the Lakewood Sounder Station (exit 125, (Bridgeport Way); turn left off exit; then right onto Pacific Highway South. The Station’s four story parking garage is a few blocks on your left).
This is where you catch Sound Transit’s route 594 to Seattle. Cost: $3.50 for adults. www.soundtransit.org The bus takes you acro
ss the street from the Century Link Field, at 4th and Royal Brougham.
If you want to be really adventuresome, stay on the bus through Seattle, getting off at 4th and Union. Walk a few blocks north to the Westlake Mall (4th and Pike). Kitty-corner from the northeast side of the Westlake Mall building is the south end of the
Lake Union Streetcar. www.seattlestreetcar.org The street car takes you through the revitalized Eastlake area (thanks to Paul Allen and his Vulcan enterprise) to South Lake Union, which is the other venue for the Boat Show.
Check back NEXT week for details on the 2012 Northwest Flower Show, an eagerly anticipated annual event for gardeners!
The littlest rebel returns!
The RBB March 26, 2010 post features Max, my adorable grand nephew. 
Max has returned to the great Northwest, with his Mom (Sarah), Sarah’s friends Riana, and Riana’s two year old daughter, Shiway.
In early November these two brave women and their two always-on-the-go two year olds took Portland by storm.
Following is Sarah’s write-up of the trip…she is convinced using public transportation with toddlers is the way to go! Yeah, Sarah!
I’ve spent the majority of my life in Alaska – a state that’s not exactly known for its public transportation systems, outside of the Marine Highway (the ferry system that serves Southeast Alaska and goes as far as Bellingham, WA – what an RBB adventure that would be!). With a landmass four times the size of Texas and the great number of people who live outside of urban areas, the developmentof a public transportation infrastructure has presented a challenge. In my 25+ years in Alaska, I’ve never lived anywhere that had a bus stop within walking distance, and park-n-ride options were routinely further away from my home than my workplace.
I did, however, live in Portland, Oregon, for three years while attending graduate school, and learning to use – and love – public transportation was a big part of my experience there. So when my friend Riana and I were planning a trip to Portland for the two of us and our two-year-olds, Max and Shiway, this fall, we quickly realized that having a car-free vacation was a distinct possibility. The littlest rebel returns!- continue reading
Taking advantage of our mild (so far) winter…
We’ve recently had many more blue-sky days than usual…perfect for another bus adventure!
This past week I had a lovely day trip to Theler Wetlands, in Belfair (north Mason County). Sam and Mary E. Theler moved to Belfair in 1926. In the mid 1930’s they purchased 500 acres between Belfair and Allyn for $4,500 (!), which was subdivided into lots for housing. The Theler’s generously gave land to the Belfair school, including the 75 acres where the Mary E. Theler Community Center and Wetlands trails are located. www.thelercenter.org
This is an easy solo short day trip. I caught the Mason Transit Bus (route 6) at the downtown Olympia Transit Center at 9:20. The bus also makes stops at any of the bus shelters heading up Harrison Avenue towards Highway 101. The cost is
$1.50 for adults (50 cents for age 65 and older). This first leg of the trip takes you to the Shelton Civic Center, arriving about 10:10. The next bus (Route 1) didn’t leave until 10:45, so I had plenty of time to walk a couple blocks to Sage Book store (116 W Railroad Ave # 102) for a short lattee. Carolyn Olsen, long-time successful Shelton businesswoman, has created a wonderful atmosphere at Sage. Regulars gather around a huge old oak table to tease and share stories. www.sagebookstore.com
The next leg of the trip (Route 1) was in a smaller van-type bus. This route goes north on Highway 3, past Deer Creek, the Grapeview Loop (Stretch and Treasure Island are reached from this road), as well as Allyn. The water was still and calm; riding the bus you are high enough to see things that you cannot see from a car or truck. Taking advantage of our mild (so far) winter…- continue reading
