(San francisco wine tours) The Maritime Past and Present of Seattle

November 25th, 2009 admin Posted in travel |

By Renaldo Head

Seattle Washington is nearly surrounded by water. It is no wonder that water has played a vital role in the history of this great city. Water has also been a serious draws for those choosing to visit Seattle Washington as well. Not only is water of historical significance to this city, it is a cultural phenomenon as well. The maritime traditions of this great city are an important part of its current greatness.

If you are planning a visit to Seattle, one of the very first things you should do is head on over to the Pioneer Square Historic District and take the Underground Tour. This tour will explain to you a significant point in history about the relationship of this city and water. Take a tour of an entire section of the city that was literally buried in order to avoid plumbing problems. Find out where the term Skid Road originated and laugh along as you hear great stories about the colorful history of this part of town.

Many Islands and Island communities abound on the outskirts of Seattle. The Ferries here are integral to the daily lives of commuters and tourists alike. Access to many tourist attractions is easily accessible by Ferry when driving would be impossible. There are often summer concerts at the Ferry Terminal on Pier 52. The last Friday of every month from June through August, they celebrate Picnic at the Pier with live music on the upper level of the Terminal from 3:00 until 6:30 p.m. There are 10 ferry accessible communities in the Puget Sound; each of these communities has a unique flavor that is really interesting to experience. If you can’t visit them all, read about them and visit the ones that interest you most. It is a great day trip and you never know what creatures you will see along the way.

If you love the water, and by this I mean you are like me and feel that a piece of your soul was meant to be at sea, then you simply can’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Center for Wooden Boats. The visit is free and you get to actually see how these beautiful boats are crafted. There is nothing like literally riding the wind in a wooden sailboat and you can do just that on Sunday afternoons for free or you can charter one of their many boats during the right weather conditions. Remember these boats are works of art and should be handled with extreme care. If you’re going to be in town a while you can even take one of their sailing lessons. They offer group lessons (which are excellent for beginners) and one on one training (better for this with basic knowledge of sailing).

Whether you were born with webbed feet or just enjoy the idea of being on water, there is plenty to be seen and done from the water in and around Seattle. From whale watching and sailing, to kayaking, water skiing, and any number of other water activities there is a place to partake in them all in this great area. Not all areas are suitable for all activities so be aware of the water you are near and find out what is and isn’t safe to do in that area. There are some areas where the water simply isn’t safe to be in for health reasons and others where the currents are dangerous and swift. Most importantly have fun exploring the great salt and fresh water in this area and learning their role in the history here.

Read about dragon eel, guinea pig breeds and other information at the Interesting Animals website.

The Vineyards of Seattle

By Renaldo Head

Visiting Seattle Washington is a great way to get in touch with your inner explorer. Not only can you get out and explore mountains, prairies, streams, rivers, and oceans, but you can also explore the city streets that make this city what it has become. With so many things to do and places to go it seems impossible really to entertain the idea of sleep. Who has time for mundane activities such as that when there is a world of knowledge and beauty to explore right outside your hotel doors?

For those among us who have a difficult time unwinding after a day spent shopping, hiking, biking, boating, whale watching, and sight seeing, perhaps you should consider a wine tasting before bed. This is a great way to relax and unwind. You may even find a new favorite among the wines that you are being exposed to. While many people think of California as wine country, Washington State has shown itself to be an impressive home for wine making as well. Of course you aren’t looking to get tipsy, just relaxed enough that sleep can find you after a very exciting day.

Even if you elect to attend a wine tasting earlier in the day, perhaps you could pick up a bottle or two to bring back to your room with you. This will allow you to wine on hand at the end of a long day without the need to drive afterwards. Nor would you be required to get out of a cab, call a cab, or anything other than putting on your pajamas and heading off to bed. In fact, there is no rule that states you can’t drink wine while wearing your pajamas either. I really can think of few better ways to relax after a long day of anything than to grab a good book and a glass of wine. Well maybe a massage, but now who’s dreaming? Unless of course your hotel offers this service and you are willing to pay the price.

For a good nights sleep, however, I think a glass of wine is a much better price to pay. If that doesn’t help, then grab a really boring book to read. The important thing about getting a good night’s sleep is that it prepares you for the events of the next day. This is especially important if you have children. It is very doubtful that they are going to handle being cooped up in a hotel room while there are adventures to be had on the other side of the door.

If you need more than one glass, go for it, you can always visit another winery tomorrow and buy another bottle. Rest is important although you do not want to drink enough that you wake up sick the next morning. That is definitely not the way to properly enjoy your vacation. Just so you know there are several great wineries in the region and it would actually be quite an adventure to visit as many of them as possible. Some of the more prominent wineries in and around Seattle are: Lopez Island Vineyards, Whidbey Island Vineyards and Winery, Bainbridge Island Vineyards and Winery, and Hoodsport Winery and Tasting Room. Some wineries and vineyards are only open to the public by reservation or during certain hours so be sure that you are aware and have planned accordingly before visiting. Another thing to keep in mind is that there are many more wineries in the Seattle area, these are only a small sampling of the vineyards that abound in these parts so don’t limit yourself if these don’t seem appealing to you.

Sweet dreams are often born of good wine; I hope that you will find not only an excellent flavor to help you sleep but some great selections to bring home with you as well. And wine makes an excellent souvenir for loved ones who weren’t able to travel with you or even gifts for friends who are getting married, buying homes, having babies, having birthdays, well being your friends. Wine is a great gift all around; even if it’s a gift you give yourself.

Want to find out about canary breeders, catching catfish and other information? Get tips from the Interesting Animals website.

What Seattle Has to Offer

By Renaldo Head

Seattle, Washington has a great deal to offer its discerning visitors. From the ordinary and mundane to the out and out macabre, you will see it all while visiting Seattle, Washington, if, that is, you know where to look for them. Seattle has a rich history and it seems an even richer future. Nestled among some of the most beautiful countryside North America has to offer, this great city has the best of most worlds-a very mild climate, access to water, land, mountains, fields, and streams. Seattle is like every patriotic song you can imagine and in the middle of it all Seattle is a bustling metropolis.

If you are planning to visit Seattle, I have one word of warning for you. You will probably want to stay. That is of course, if you aren’t too worried by rain. The only real drawback I can see for living in Seattle is that your skin will have a difficult time getting that sun kissed glow that summer brings almost everywhere else in America. But I think I could sacrifice sweltering heat and sticky humidity in exchange for a little rain. In fact, I would welcome a little rain right now; it might actually cool things off.

For those who have tastes that run a little bit off center of ordinary, Seattle has a great bit of entertainment to offer you as well. The first bit is a freebie and not of interest to some (yet it still seems a vastly popular stop for tourists). That place is the Lakeview Cemetery. This is where the bodies of many of Seattle’s founding fathers and most prominent citizens have been laid to rest. Perhaps most startling is the fact that Bruce and Brandon Lee receive more visitors than anyone else in the cemetery. While some may find this fact mildly disturbing, I guess when you think of all the visitors Graceland receives every year it really isn’t all that obscene.

The next stop on the off center tourist traps would be Bill Speidel’s Underground Tour. This tour takes you to the streets of old downtown Seattle. The only thing is these streets are beneath the streets of New Seattle. This is perhaps one of the most interesting tours you will find in the city-other than maybe the Private Eye tours but that’s another story-because it literally takes you into history. At the end of this tour you can get access to Rogue’s Gallery Museum where you will see exhibits relating to Seattle’s Victorian era and other historical points of interest. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and costs $11 for adults. If you have the time, this is one tour that if nothing else, will leave a lasting impression.

If you are in the Pike Place Market area, you really should check out the Market Ghost Tours. These are one hour walking tours of the market where those who work in the building share stories of strange occurrences. You will also get to hear some of Seattle’s interesting history mixed in with the ghost tales. This is a walking tour and might be a little frightening and/or boring for smaller children. But, if you are looking for something different to do, this tour should be right up your alley. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, I would hope that you can at the very least find tours such as this entertaining.

The city of Seattle has a great deal to offer those who are adventurous enough to seek the knowledge, fun, and entertainment that abounds. Some of the tours and exhibits need to be taken with a grain of salt and a sense of humor. All others should at the very least provide some degree of information, education, and fun to those who visit. I hope more than anything that your trip to Seattle takes you off the beaten path at least once. What on earth would you tell the people back home if you didn’t at least have one extraordinary adventure?

Visit the Interesting Animals website to learn about coyote trapping, dolphins habitat and other information.

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