In Your Neighborhood: Traffic/Parking Seattle vs. Tacoma

Showing posts with label Traffic/Parking Seattle vs. Tacoma. Show all posts

Showing posts with label Traffic/Parking Seattle vs. Tacoma. Show all posts

Monday, March 14, 2011

What Drives Me Nuts About Seattle....

On early Sunday morning, I participated in a fun run in Seattle. I knew the race was going to have a large number of participants, so I left a little extra early to navigate traffic, find parking, and meet my friend.

Right.

The minute I exited that freeway, it was traffic and parking chaos. So bad, that I literally got to the starting line minutes before my race (and I was exhausted and stressed out before I even ran). Could I have planned better and left earlier? Of course.

I don't want to though! (Insert whiny voice).

Here in Tacoma, while we have big events too, I CAN park and I don't have to drive like I'm in a war zone. We don't get the seas of people (okay, a concert at the Tacoma Dome would be a big exception).

Don't get me wrong! I LOVE Seattle. I spent many years living there. I love the people, the vibe, the sights, the sounds, and all the stuff there is to do there.

But I DON'T miss the battle of getting around. Sure I can take public transportation (which I did and biked when I lived there), but sometimes, it's just not possible from here. And in order for me to get there, it's plotting and planning and just plain work to get around.

Am I being a grump about this? Unfair? Unrealistic? A big old stick in the mud? Readers, what say you?

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Stephanie Frieze
…has always liked to write. Her experience includes three years at the University Washington School of Communications studying journalism. She had a stint at the Chinook Observer in Long Beach. Raised in Bellevue, she’s lived in Gig Harbor for nearly 18 years. She and her husband have a home in Ilwaco, where they spend as much time as possible. This mother of four loves books, spending time with family and the color purple. Contact her at dbandstefery@comcast.net.

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...is a blog contributor from Greenwater. Greenwater is the last stop before Crystal Mountain, Mount Rainier and the surrounding wilderness areas. When not exploring the next mountain peak or forest trail, Tracy also contributes to the Greenwater Community Council and the Explore-Greenwater.com web site. He writes about topics ranging from favorite foot, bike, and snow trails to community events, local merchants and politics. Contact him at dmountains@explore-greenwater.com.

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Kim Thompson
…is a Grit City native who was born and raised in Tacoma’s Old Town neighborhood by the gulch. She boasts that she’s a former Lowell Leopard, Mason Mustang and Wilson Ram, a short-time PLU Lute and a longtime UW Husky. This former corporate businesswoman is a wife, a mom, a school volunteer, a substitute teaching assistant, a writer and a born-again distance runner. She has convinced friends from Bellevue that Tacoma is worth the drive. Contact her at kimricksy@comcast.net. ugi@yahoo.com.