America's Spookiest Ghost Tours
'Tis the touring season
(posted on MainStreet.com)
October showcases the macabre, the hair-raising, the sometimes morbid and chilling and even the spritely spirits that may or may not be living among us. What better way to experience a city or town's history than by taking a tour of their most haunted landmarks?
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Seattle: Art in Transit
Art along Seattle's new light-rail line brings the city's neighbourhoods to life.
(posted on Aeroplan Arrival)
Inside Seattle's Tukwila International Boulevard Station, an oversized drop of water and the resulting "splash" hang above the escalators to the southbound platform. Titled "A Drop of Sustenance" and created by Portland artist Tad Savinar, this sculpture shows the role water plays in the Seattle neighbourhood of Tukwila: sustenance for every living thing, 37 inches of rainfall yearly and the rivers, lakes and streams within the city limits.
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A cheat sheet on tipping do's and don'ts
Taking the confusion out of tipping
(posted on Bankrate.com)
Tipping can be daunting. While most of us know that it's appropriate to tip our server at a restaurant, it's not always clear whether to tip the hotel concierge, funeral chaplain or dog groomer.
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Discover Wildlife with Your Grandkids
Watching animals in their natural surroundings is an unrivaled experience
(posted on Grandparents.com)
On Earth Day, April 22, the movie, Earth, makes its debut in theaters. Created by Disney, the BBC, and The Discovery Channel, the film tracks the migration of three different animal families - a polar bear and her cubs, an elephant herd, and a humpback whale and her calf. You can take your grandchildren to the Cineplex, but it's so much more remarkable to actually encounter marine life, four-legged animals, or birds in the wild. We've found some wonderful ways for you and your grandchildren to get up close and personal with wildlife.
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Vacations With Grandkids: When To Save, When To Splurge
It's savvy to have the most fun on the fewest funds
(posted on Grandparents.com)
Grandparents might economize elsewhere, but we don't want to cut back on traveling with our grandchildren. We've learned from experience when it makes sense to choose the budget-friendly option, and when to pay a little more.
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Getaways That Grandkids Can Plan
When grandchildren help with the planning, they get more out of a trip
(posted on Grandparents.com)
Let your grandchildren initiate the idea for a trip and they will be more invested and more enthusiastic about where they go and what they see. They might even have a destination in mind that you'd never considered before, one that you'll all enjoy. Here are some ideas to get your junior travel agent started.
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Site of the Living Dead
How a logging town turned vampire lit into tourism lifeblood
(published in Seattle Metropolitan)
BEFORE IT BECAME HOME TO UNDEAD HEARTTHROBS, the town of Forks was a hard sell. Caught in the western shadows of the Olympics, the 3,200-person burg averages 12 feet of rain a year (yes, they measure precipitation in feet, not inches) and receives less sunshine than a Seattle well-digger's armpit. Not exactly a "tourist paradise" as one desperate realtor recently called it. More like a wide spot in the road offering gas and groceries.
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San-sational!
When it comes to family vacations,
Washington State's San Juan Islands are Rated "E" for Everybody
(published in Family)
Discover your own slice of paradise by escaping to the San Juan Islands in Washington State. Surrounded by vibrant blue pristine bays, channels and straits, the islands themselves boast rolling hills, lush green forests, country farms and the blending of history and nature. The mood is slow and laid back, the panoramic view breathtaking and island bliss makes it easy to leave the rush of city life behind. No rush hour traffic here and the only stoplight in the entire county is in a museum.
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