Helping Washington State homeowners learn more about their mortgage options.
Just a few photos I caught with my Droid-X while we were cruising through Seattle today. With the "s" word in the forecast, we stopped by REI for some mittens and other warm winter wear.
The first two photos are of Seattle's historic Steam Plant.
You can just see part of Qwest Field, where the Seahawks and Sounders play, to the right of King Street Station from Pioneer Square.
The Alki Point Lighthouse in West Seattle is open to the public on weekends from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Here's the panoramic view from the top!
It's an amazing bit of Seattle history and a beautiful place to visit. Established in 1887, the current tower was first lit in 1913, the lighthouse will be celebrating her 100th birthday in a couple years.
Come check it out before Labor Day! Here are more of my photos of the Alki Point Lighthouse in West Seattle.
Last month we had the opportunity to go to Andrew Will’s 2007 Release Party on Vashon Island. My husband thought it would be funny to do a “play on words” with my Sunday Drive series…so the video above is of me…”driving”!
Andrew Will’s winery is fantastic and typically not open to the public. It is a large “compound” and at this event, they serve great food including brick oven pizza along with sampling the wines. This is unlike anything you’ll find in Woodinville.
I highly recommend this event…I believe you if you sign up to be on Andrew Will’s mailing list, you may receive an invitation. And the wines? They’re fantastic!
You can check out more of my photos from Andrew Will’s 2007 Release party by clicking here.
This is a guest post from Kevin Nehls, friend, client and co-owner of Dog Daze Natural Pet Market located in Puyallup, Washington.
Come on out and stroll around downtown Puyallup for the Fall Art & Wine Walk which will take place on October 3, 2009 from 3:00 – 7:00 pm in downtown Puyallup.
This is a great chance to get out and enjoy a wonderful downtown atmosphere while enjoying some excellent wines and admiring the art scattered around the downtown area. This season's theme is influenced by the Beatles, "Come Together", is exactly what this event all about.
The inspiring piece of art for this year's theme is titled "I Am Saved" created by Jack Widmann, Vice Principal at Kalles Jr. High. This piece of art is comprised of 190 pen and ink drawings, with each drawing representing the artist's impression of a single Beatles' song. The entire piece, when assembled, is a composition of the Beatles.
While strolling around to the different shops, sampling fine blended wines, you will be treated to music by the famous Haggis Brothers as well as works of art created by members of Valley Arts United and Arts Downtown.
This season the Fall Art & Wine Walk is also supporting Multicare's Grannies Attic through a children's clothing and toy drive. Please bring any new or gently used clothing and toy items to the participating downtown merchants who will have a sign in their front window or bring items directly to Grannies Attic anytime they are open.
Tickets are $20 per person and you get a commemorative wine glass and 8 drink tickets. Additional drink tickets are available for $1. Tickets can be purchased here.
Hopefully you won't have to drive too far to find Skillet Streetfood…in fact this mobile delight travels throughout the week to several Seattle neighborhoods, including West Seattle, Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Fremont, SODO, Bothell and Redmond.
Last weekend, I decided I could wait no longer…I had to check out the infamous Skilletfeaturing gourmet bites created in an airstream trailer.
My nose found Skillet before my eyes did at the West Seattle location just a block or so away from the Farmers Market.
I had the Steak Sandwich with a Melon Mint Fresca. It's not cheap eats–it is "gourmet" and very delicious. The fries are perfection.
You can read more of my review and others on Yelp by clicking here.
I enjoy driving down the viaduct…northbound is prettier than heading south in my opinion but I love this old structure. I'm going to miss it when it's gone and I think it's really concerning that our elected officials have no regard for the citizens who voted to keep the viaduct. Instead, they are blazing ahead with plans for a tunnel. Why vote when your officials don't honor the voice of their citizens? Adding insult to injury according to this article, Seattle homeowners may get the bill fo cost over-runs. Your thoughts?
Just as some have boycotted Safeco Field for similar reasons…I will not drive in the new tunnel when/if it happens. You can read many article regarding the controversy of the viaduct vs. the tunnel here.
Just south of downtown Seattle, you'll find historic Georgetown. My husband and I 
decided to check it out a few weekends ago in search of authentic Italian style pizza. The restaurant we wanted to go to was closed (we'll go definitely go back and give you a full report) but we're not disappointed.
Georgetown was settled in 1851 and became it's own city from 1904-1910; fighting annexation into Seattle to avoid prohibition. This is the home of the old Rainier Brewery, reported to once be the sixth largest brewery in the world. Portions of the brewery remain and are office and space for artists. Airport Way and the side streets are lined with shops and restaurants. We wound up at Smarty Pants for "beer, booze and grub". Actually we opted for a very spicy Bloody Mary and brunch. I had a breakfast burrito and my husband could not resist The Trouble Maker. It's a great spot and I look forward to checking out other restaurants in this neighborhood.
Georgetown is also home to Hat n' Boots which is located at Oxbow Park 
between the 6400 block of Carleton Avenue South and Corson Avenue South.
Speaking of Corson…I understand The Corson Building is a new restuarant featuring a chef who was featured as one of Food and Wine's top 10 new chef's of 2007, Matt Dillion. Reservations required…well in advance.
Want to know more about Georgetown? Check out these links:
More of My Georgetown Photos on Flickr
Just north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock, you’ll find Lincoln Park in West Seattle along 
the Puget Sound. Lincoln Park is one of Seattle’s oldest and largest parks with 135 acres which is packed with trails, covered picnic areas, baseball and soccer fields, playgrounds and swimming pools. This beautiful park is one of the many designed by the Olmsted brothers in the early 1900s.
Colman Pool, a city landmark, is located within the park and is actually a heated salt water pool! Here’s a recent review from an “unapologetic pool snob” in the Seattle PI:
“Colman is an Olympic regulation 50 meters long, twice the length of most pools. And — this is the best part — it’s filled with a half-million gallons of salt water from Puget Sound, delivered from a series of wells on the beach and heated to 85 degrees by a vintage gas-fired boiler.
A swim in the soft salt water feels ike a tonic, especially when you pop your head out of the briny water and take in the killer view: Blake Island dead ahead, Vashon and Bainbridge to the left and rightLincoln Park is located at 8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, Seattle. Just take the West Seattle Bridge and follow the signs for the Vashon Ferry.
Check out more of my photos of Lincoln Park by clicking here.
Rhonda Porter is a Licensed Mortgage Originator MLO121324 living in the greater Seattle area. Rhonda began her career in 1986 in the title and escrow industry and began her mortgage career in 2000. She enjoys helping people understand the mortgage process and started writing The Mortgage Porter in late 2006. Read More…
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