Walking in my town
Watching as the twilight wins
My steps this brisk night
Category: Snohomish County
Halloween Is Coming!!! Here’s My List Of Spooktacular Fun
It’s upon us, the end of October and all the Halloween fun for the kids! Here’s my collection of fun, family events for the south Snohomish County region.
Have a fun, safe and delightful Halloween!
Saturday, October 26th:
Sunday, October 27:
On Halloween Night:
Lynnwood:
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4-7pm: Halloween at Alderwood
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6-8:30 pm: Trunk or Treat at Alderwood Community Church
Edmonds:
Mountlake Terrace:
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7-10 pm (but also Friday and Saturday, 10/25 & 26) the Nile Nightmares Haunted House
Mill Creek:
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4:30-6:30 pm Treats on Main Street, in Mill Creek Town Center
- Follow up by….
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6:30pm to 8:00 pm Trunk or Treat, Mill Creek City Hall North Parking Lot
Some thoughts on growth
Earlier this evening I was considering traffic, while driving home…in traffic. Now, I don’t hate it like some folks do. But I did have a snarky moment today where I thought I’d be clever to text my family saying “I just left Bellevue. I should be home in time for high school graduation”.
Anyway, for me it’s a great opportunity to listen to music or podcasts. So I’m relatively happy. Sure, I’d rather not be stuck, but it’s the way of things, I guess.
With that, as I rolled through Kirkland and looked over all the growth, I was struck by the increasing density. I’ve noted before that we’re watching the greater Seattle area become more dense. Pretty much daily. I’m seeing many lots that held one house hey torn down and reolaced by three. Or more. With Growth Management Act limitations on where we cam build, and our economy continuing to bring new residents here, there’s only one way for things to go. Also, density is the solution to creating affordable housing.
I’m glad to see light rail getting implemented region wide. I drive by the Bellevue and Redmond, as well as the Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace extension construction sites daily. We will have desperate need of tthese as the region continues its growth.
Tis a mixed blessing, clearly. So much has changed in my lifetime. I’m pretty sure my school friends who left the area would find it quite hard to navigate now.
How do you feel about all this? Terrifid? Excited? Bridging the hike between them?
Driving Around Here Nowadays
Saturday i had a meeting in south Everett, on 128th to be more specific. Well,traffic on that road was wretched, but I improvised, taking side streets back to Lynnwood. I ended up driving past the door where the z over Park drive in used to be. Now it’s a medical center and apartment complex. I
Along this street are now many multifamily/higher density housing projects.Several duplexes, apartment and condos, within this area that was semi rural single family homes a generation back.
This got me thinking about density. That we’re gong to see the greater Seattle area become increasingly densified. I expect in the next dozen to two dozen years this whole region will become mostly multifamily. The economic forces will drive that hard. I’ve long thought that the Growth Management Act’s limits on development will combine with our region’s continued economic expansion to drive this.
Many will see if as something to lament, and to resist. Me? I see it as a a mixed blessing, so to speak. And as something that good planning can make a great thing. Planning for a transit system that will accommodate this load will be crucial. A predominantly car-centric system will not work. When the majority of commuters take transit, things will be more manageable.
So, what do you think?
A Weekend Hike: Mukilteo’s Japanese Gulch
Yesterday we on a hike went with some friends at Mukilteo’s Japanese Gulch. We were looking for a a little less intense hike than the ones we’ve done this summer so far with a shorter drive. Just a few minutes from my place, with smooth trails, it fit the bill.
Gaining its name from the workers who lived there in the early 1900s, Japanese Gulch’s 147 acres of land features a dog park, access to the Sound, and a community garden. After an attempt to develop the land as an industrial park in 2007, the community rose up and encouraged the City to acquire the land to preserve it. With many trails for all kinds of users (mountain bikers, hikers, dog walkers and families), it’s a fantastic asset to the community.
We opted to walk the full length of the park, from the 76th Street trail-head all the way down to the Sound. Along the water I was able to check out the progress on the new ferry terminal. Coming along nicely, I look forward to seeing the final product in the fall of next year.
Back in 2016, the City approved the Japanese Gulch Master Plan, to update and preserve the park. I just discovered the MukMaps Interactive Trail Map, which I want to experiment with soon. If you used this, let me know in the comments. I want to hear your thoughts.
A few additional thoughts on the trails: there a wide range of trails and types. They vary in steepness and width. So most folks will find something of interest. Also, right now the trail is dry. However, come the fall rains, the trail gets wet, muddy and slick. Be prepared!
Lastly, some resources:
- The Washington Trails Association’s page about Japanese Gulch
- The City of Mukilteo’s page for the park
- City of Mukilteo’s Master Plan for the Japanese Gulch Park
Welcome to Japanese Gulch 
Views of the community garden 
Views of the community garden 
Views of the community garden 
The new waterfront is under construction 
Existing the park and walking towards the construction area 
The construction zone 
Train crossing 
Waterfront walk 
The Beach
I just got this alert from the WS DOT. Folks driving around Skagit/Snohomish county line will want to be prepared. I’ve pasted the press release directly into here.
| Washington State Department of Transportation Northwest Region – 15700 Dayton Avenue N. – Shoreline, WA 98133-9710 – 206-440-4000 TRAFFIC ADVISORY Aug. 21, 2019 Contacts: Andrea E. Petrich, communications, 360-757-5963 Shane Spahr, project engineer, 360-848-7103 Bridge work to close lanes of southbound I-5 in Snohomish County starting Saturday, Aug. 24 STANWOOD – Drivers traveling between Skagit and Snohomish counties need to prepare for weekend delays and backups as crews work to rehabilitate two southbound Interstate 5 bridge decks. Washington State Department of Transportation contractor crews from Graham Construction will repair the bridge deck on two separate sections of southbound I-5 over the weekend. One section is near the Skagit/Snohomish county line and the other is south of State Route 532. This work is part of a two-year interstate improvement project between Conway and Arlington. Lane closure details
Drivers using this stretch of I-5 Sunday night into Monday morning should be aware of two separate work zones and a reduced speed limit of 55 mph south of SR 532. During the closures, crews will add a new waterproofing barrier and fresh asphalt on the bridges. While the forecast looks favorable, this work is weather-dependent. The longest delays are expected Sunday afternoon, Aug. 25, and could last into the evening hours. Travelers can help reduce backups and delays by adjusting travel plans around this closure. If you must travel, consider: Drivers between Skagit and Snohomish counties should continue to plan for single lane closures during the day and double lane closures overnight, until this project wraps up in fall 2019. Get real-time traffic information on the WSDOT North Twitter account and WSDOT traffic app.
Hyperlinks within the release:
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Hey Lynnwood, the City is hosting “Sandlot Cinema” at Lynndale park on Thursdays
The city of Lynnwood is hosting these free, family friendly movies at Lynndale Park. The movies start at dusk.
- This Thursday (August 22) is “Mary Poppins Returns”.
- Next Thursday (August 29) is Dumbo.
Bring your own blankets and chairs. Oh, and the “Snack Shack” will be open for dinner and snacks.
More details are available on the city’s Facebook page.
Local Theater Group, Bigfoot Players Putting On Midsummer’s Night’s Dream This Weekend
Hey Lynnwood & Edmonds area friends, a new local youth theater group, Bigfoot Players, is putting on Midsummer’s Night’s Dream this weekend. I have been helping them form the organization and been privy to all their hard work to bring this to life. I’m proud of all their hard work and passion bringing this together.
This link is for their performance schedule. It’s free in Lynndale park’s amphitheater. Check them out!
Have you been to Mel & Mia’s in Edmonds? Best baked cakes and such in South Snohomish County!
My good friends at Mel & Mias in Edmonds (located at 7530 Olympic View Drive (Google Map Link), right in Perrinville) have great baked goods and coffee…really, really good coffee. Here’s their latest Instagram announcement, I expect it’ll be a fun time.
If you don’t know them, the owners are Bill and Rebecca. Bill is a Culinary Institute of America (the real CIA) trained chef with 30+ years of fine dining experience, and Rebecca has 20 years experience that combines with a passion of cakes, party planning and design. My family are regulars, and we rely on them for perfect cakes for those super-special occasions.
Besides heading down there as soon as you can, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. You’ll be glad you did.
View this post on Instagram
The Fourth, Parades, Fireworks and the Law
First, a reminder that for most of the region fireworks have been banished. Lynnwood, Mukilteo, Brier, Edmonds, Gold Bar, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace and Woodway all have ordinances prohibiting them. For more details Snohomish County has created this guide for fireworks.
So, legal fireworks. You know, the professional shows! Well, there are many options around the region. The Washington State Patrol has this great list of options throughout the state. And, of course, there are parades and other events. I’ll highlight just few around here.
First, Mountlake Terrace has a fireworks show tonight, July 3, on Lake Ballinger.
As for tomorrow, the actual Fourth, I’ll be in Edmonds, so I’ll start with their festivities. This is the main thing for South Snohomish County around Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace.
- 10:00 am: Children’s Fourth of July Parade
- 12:00 pm: Fourth of July Main Parade
- 10:00 pm: Fireworks!
Here are some other local options:
- Arlington’s July Fourth Frontier Days
- Bothell’s Freedom Festival
- Everett: here’s the link to all the activities, including the parade, festival and fireworks.
- Marysville
- Darrington’s Old Fashioned 4th Of July
- Stanwood
Interested in daring Seattle traffic? Seattle Eater has a great list of stuff in Seattle.
Anything I’ve missed, or you’d like to suggest? Please let us know in a comment below. I’ll happily update this post with your ideas.