Author Archives: admin

Garfield Nature Trail

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Garfield Nature Trail at 620 Rogers Street NW, Olympia is like a little haven of wilderness right in the middle of a residential neighborhood. It isn’t a typical park with picnic areas and playground equipment. Instead it is a trail through a ravine between Rogers Street NW and West Bay Drive NW. I hiked from Rogers to West Bay and back again. The path has several sets of stairs and boardwalks and I wish I had worn my sneakers because is places it was damp and a tad slippery. The trail was busy with young people, families and folks walking dogs.

Europa Bistro

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I had a quick lunch at European Bistro at 2515 North Proctor in Tacoma and it was delicious. I was in a rush and picked what I assumed was the quickest thing available, the lentil soup. It was a full bowl and coupled with the warm bread made an exceptional meal, especially considering it was less than $4! I’m eager to go back when I have a little more time and try some other items on their menu. It all looks good. There website is here.

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Steilacoom Ferry Landing

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The Steilacoom-Anderson Island ferry has its primary ferry landing in Steilacoom. Ferries depart to Ketron Island and Anderson Island and previously McNeil Island. The ferry route is owned and operated by Pierce County. The first ferry went into service on April 1, 1922. 

City Haven Peace Park

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There is a small, private park named City Haven Peace Park located next to the Quaker Meetinghouse/Hillside Community Church at 2508 39th Street South. This space has an abundance of birds, squirrels and an occasional raccoon. There are also several inuksuk, which are rock formations roughly shaped like humans.

Parkland Mural

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MuralThere is a Ed Kane mural next to the blue house at 412 Garfield Street. The house is echoed in the mural and there is also a white house and a brick building that I assume are original to the neighborhood. More information about the mural can be found here.

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Red Mural on Barrier Blocks

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11914588524_de7eff5609_bOne has to look hard for the mural on the barrier blocks at 5699 Pipeline Road East, Tacoma. But they are worth the Eastside search with their bold, red color and jaunty graphics. My favorite barrier (if one can have a favorite barrier) is the one with the word ‘Adventure’ on it! The artists are Natalie Oswald, K. Candejas, Y. Simone and J. Warren. The Tacoma Murals Project mural was created in 2012. The top photo shows the barriers as they sit and the bottom photo shows them Photoshopped side by side.

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Olympia Olive Oil Company

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11897946696_4cfb7da4ac_bI like stores that do one thing well and that is the case with Olympia Olive Oil Company at 321 4th Avenue East in Olympia. Crafted extra virgin olive oils (on the left) and flavored balsamic vinegars (on the right) and a small collection of salts and seasonings are what the store features. The vinegars and the oils maybe tasted in little disposable cups, which was a wonderful opportunity. Once you make your selection, the owner pours the oil/vinegar into the bottle, puts on a label and corks it. I left with two olive oils (blood orange and garlic) and a lemon balsamic vinegar. They have a second location in the South Hill Mall in Puyallup. It’s possible to order online at their website.

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Seahawks House, Tacoma

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11847286423_c2079e533b_h(1)It took me a beat to realize why some folks have left their holiday lights up when I realized they are in Seahawks blue and green. Oh, I get it! The Seahawks play in the NFL Second Round Playoffs against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. Go hawks!

Happiness is around the next corner, Wendy’s Vietnamese

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Happiness“Happiness is around the next corner, wealth down the street” is what my fortune cookie said at Wendy’s Vietnamese at 5015 Tacoma Mall Boulevard, Tacoma. We met our dear friend at Wendy’s for a tasty dinner and conversation. This is Wendy’s second location, with the first being in Freighthouse Square. Their food is consistently delicious.

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B Sharp Coffee House, Tacoma

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11786807823_ff83d5f714_bB Sharp Coffeehouse at 706 Opera Alley is delightful. They offer coffee, lunch fare, beer and wine, as well as music many evenings. The space has a wonderful history as being the original location of the News Tribune. It is lower level space with no natural light except at the very front, but that just adds to its cozy ambiance, I was particularly charmed by the large open area leading to the restrooms. There is a mural of dogs playing poker made me smile, especially since the cairn on the right (cheating) looks much like one of our dogs. B Sharp’s has a website and a Facebook Page.

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