Bainbridge / Brigadoon

My friend came from NYC and so we had to find something unique to Seattle to impress this Big City Girl. We ended up taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island and it knocked her socks off. From the ferry we walked into the picturesque town of Winslow. We poked around the shops, bought books at Eagle Harbor Book Co. and ended up having a great dinner on the deck of San Carlos' Southwestern restaurant. Only 35 minutes away, this little town has a Brigadoon quality that always leaves me wondering if it can really be as good as I remember. Each time I am there, it confirms all my great memories. We can't wait to go back!

Local Artists Add Color to the Season

Don't miss the upcoming East Pierce County Open Studio Tour. This chance to visit 14 local studios to see more than 27 artists at work is priceless. I have spent all year regretting the art that I didn't buy last year. It is fun to meet the artist and have a story about the art in your home. This event is being held Friday, Saturday and Sunday Oct 31, Nov. 1 and Nov 2 from 10:00 - 4:00 pm. Pick up maps at your local library, the Chamber or at the Fred Oldfield Western Heritage Center (pictured) at the Fairgrounds. For more information, check http://www.openstudiotour.homestead.com

Serene Saturday in Steilacoom

We had so much fun relaxing and dining in Steilacoom last weekend. If you are looking for a beautiful waterfront, perfect yards that you don't have to care for, and a lot of history - Steilacoom is your town. Boasting the first post office, library, brewery and jail in Washington Territory, Steilacoom has several great museums to explore and miles of waterfront for picnics.

Dan Klennert is Living the Dream

It is time to make plans to visit Dan Klennert's sculpture garden on the road to Paradise. The four acres of recycled metal pieces recreated into lovable, fascinating sculptures is breathtaking. Head south on Meridian for about 40 miles (from downtown Puyallup). Go three miles past Elbe and the scuplture garden is on your right. It is always open and its free. This is a unique opportunity to witness an artist who is following his bliss. Surrounded by his art and enough scrap metal to fill another four acres, Dan is in paradise. This is the quintessential NW field trip. Don't miss out! http://www.danklennert.com

100th Monkey Changes Everything

So this year's Art Gala in Puyallup was another wild success. I was the lucky bidder on Lynn Nino's 100th monkey statue. Do you know the lore of the 100th monkey? Apparently, if you start teaching a few monkeys a new skill, you end up with a few monkeys with a new skill. However, by the time you teach the 100th monkey the skill, you've got a culture change in the monkey community. I love this parable that has a Tipping Point message. The trick is that you never know who the 100th monkey is in your circle. Maybe it is you....

Crashing Cars for Fun

I love the Puyallup Spring Fair because it's low-key and you can get in on the new ideas they are testing for the Fall Fair. This Spring, we got in on the first ever Demolition Derby at the Fair. Based on the packed grandstand, I bet we'll see more of this in years to come. I think my sister and I laughed for the whole two hours. The cars are so crashed up and held together with duct tape and sheer force of will. The stunts and events are a marvel and the culminating derby is a smoke filled, car crashing disaster. It seems so naughty to intentionally run into other cars. We were horrified and amazed at the same time. We think the carbon footprint of such an event may not be what we wish for but the visual spectacle and the roar of the crowd will keep us coming back for more.

Brunch with the Best

We spent a recent Sunday at Endolyne (pronounced End-o-line, the trolley used to stop here) Joes in West Seattle. Set in that great little neighborhood just above the Fauntleroy Ferry, this restaurant offers breakfasts that make it worth driving out of the suburbs on a weekend morning. In addition to the endless mimosas, we had amazing coffee cakes and fabulous omelettes. Endolyne Joes is part of the restaurant group that includes the Five Spot Diner and the Beeliner Diner. Each month their menu and interior decor change to reflect a different region. We happened to be there during Brooklyn days. That seems right now that baseball season is in full swing.

Olympia Adventures

Have you seen our state's original capitol building? We just spent an action packed day in Olympia. I think I may have to write a book about all the fun things there are to do. We walked around Capitol Lake, ate at The Spar, poked around Fireside Books and just generally had a good time. Julie, from the Thurston County Visitors Bureau, sent me a list of fun outings including a visit to the Mima Mounds. Has anyone been there? Between the great outdoor adventures, the boutique shopping, the historical sites and the great restaurants, it is not possible to do Olympia justice in just one day. I know we'll be back soon.

Inn at Port Hadlock

Has anyone heard of this great place? For Spring Break last week we enjoyed a More-than-One-Day-Vacation near Port Townsend. We stayed at the Inn at Port Hadlock which features great rooms with fire places, three art galleries and a great chef. What more do I need? This piece: The Mothership. Sometimes I feel like this...

Call of the Wild

We made our first trip to the Olympic Game Farm in Sequim last week. It proved to us how safety-focused we are as a family. When you enter the park they say things like, "Don't stop near the bison. They'll surround your car and you won't be able to get away." Yikes! We obeyed all the rules and primly kept our fingers and toes in the car. Meanwhile, the truck in front of us was letting the three years olds hang out the window from their waists up and offer bread directly to the bears and bison. We made it through safely and so did they. This is a great addition to any trek to the peninsula. We gave it a thumbs up!

Celebrate Spring

This weekend we get to change our clocks already. The days will be longer and already the sun is warm enough to bring on early flowers. We've decided to celebrate Spring by visiting all of the local, professional gardens and nurseries here in the valley. Not one of them will ask you to pull weeds or haul brush. However, they do ask that you come outside and spend some time paying attention to the growth and changes that are happening all around us. Happy Spring!

Van Lierop Garden Market www.vanlierops.com (There are 2 great sites - the Garden Market on Ryan Ave. in Sumner and the actual farm/bulb fields/giftshop on Pioneer in Puyallup)

Watson's Greenhouse www.wastonsgreenhouse.com

Windmill Gardens www.windmillgarden.com

Don't forget Vassey's and the WSU Master Gardener Demonstration Garden

Coffee Bar: Acoustic Song Circle Saturdays

Puyallup is a great town in which to be an art appreciator. You don't have to go far to find great visual or performing arts. The talent is good and the price is right. In the case of the Coffee Bar's Acoustic Song Circles: Free. We stopped by last night after dinner and loved the range of guitarists, vocalists and one harmonica player who were waiting their turn to get into the circle. Our son spent time alternating between watching the musicians and drawing in his notebook. This outing was a great alternative to sitting on our couch as usual. There was a creative ambiance in the room and we felt like we were in a beatnik coffee shop. And I mean that in a good way. It is fun to be around people who have a passion for their art and are willing to share their talents.
Acoustic Song Circle - 1st & 3rd Saturdays 8:00 pm - midnight. Coffee Bar 208 S. Meridian Downtown Puyallup.

New Date Idea

I need to let everyone know about the Martini Club held at 21 Commerce every third Thursday from 5:00 - 8:00 pm. It costs $10 to get into the Martini Club. Membership includes all you can eat from the satay bar, premium liquor samples, $5 signature martinis and a chance to win door prizes. www.21martinis.com or 253-272-6278.

I am updating my One Day Vacation Date Destination section. Where do you like to go?

Book Club Field Trips

Is your book club headed toward becoming a supper club? Are less people reading? Do they say they couldn't find the book? You and your reading buddies might consider taking a field trip to get reinspired to read again. Mickey from Sumner let me know about Baker Street Books in Black Diamond. This eclectic bookshop offers living room areas to sit and explore all the new, rare and used books that you might pull off the shelfs. Also, the Black Diamond Bakery next door provides a great venue for narrowing down your book choices for the next few months. Make sure everyone has their copy of the book before you leave town and you are more likely to have a lively book chat next time you meet.

I would also recommend King's Books in Tacoma, Fireside Books in Olympia or Elliott Bay Books in Seattle when its time for another outing with your reading pals.

Where are your favorite bookstores?