Camano Island State Park - Camping

My family and I went to Camano Island State Park for an overnight camping trip on Saturday - Sunday.  The park is pretty popular.  Most of all the campgrounds are in a wooded setting.  None of them have direct access to the beach.  However the beach is very close and is in walking distance.  The camp currently is having a shortage of water.  I recommend bringing 5 gallons from home plus some for drinking.  The water tastes bad.  Expect some noise,  think of this park of a place to drink with your pals or a quick trip out of town.  If you want the feeling of getting away from it all, go some place else.  There is a large field for games and flushing toilet.  Also showers are available. At the time I visited a wood bundle was $7 and kindling was $3. Even if at the park entrance the sign says "Park Full" I recommend going and talking to the camp host.  She/he may know of a few sites that are leaving that day.  Cost of a single site is $22 with one car.
The beach it self is rocky and perfect for a picnic or kite flying and has almost no shade.  The water is calm enough to let the little ones slash and play on toys.


http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Camano%20Island

Things I like:

• Very close
• There is a beach
• Flushing Toilets
• Fire rings and tables
• You can take your dogs

Things that need improvement:

• Water supply

Lynnwood Pool

Hey you all.  I just to my son to the Lynnwood Pool and felt that I should give people some information and pointers about this fantastic place.  The recreation center had 3 pools.  The water is very warm and the pools have some unique features.  I will not go into them here because the website does a better job than I could. What I wanted to do is give you some need to knows:

• Arrive 30-45 min before open swim.  There is always a line and if your at the back you may not get in. 
• A great time to go is when the Everett Public Schools have a half day or a furlough day. 
• Bring your own pad lock.  The lockers are not coin operated.  
• Bring a snack or change for the vending machines.  My little guy is always hungry after swimming.  
• There is an outdoor playground just out side the main pool for kiddos who are tired of swimming and not ready to leave.  
• The library is right down the street. 

Here is a picture of the line.  I am not kidding, you need to get there at least 30 mins early before open swim! However, it is the one of the cheapest places to take the kids to be active ($4 for kids and $5 for adults)

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Microsoft Visitors Center

On Monday, My son and I went to the Microsoft Visitors Center.  Its located in B92 and its a great place visit it you need something to do with your child on a day off of school.  The visitors center has a company store, small cafe, mini museum and display area that you can play with all the Microsoft toys.    There is 6 xbox stations to play 6 different games.  There are games for all ages.  Bryson and I played Lego Pirates of the Caribbean and A sonic game.  They also had Halo, Spiderman Edge of Time, and Gears of War 3. They also had 4 Xbox Kinect stations where you could play Dance Central 2 and Kinect Sports.

Also on display was a cell phone garden with about 15 phone from various makers, all with the windows operation system. A laptop and tablet garden was there too.   All for you to play  with and try out!  There were 2 large Microsoft Surface computers.  See the pic where my son and I are playing checkers.  Surface is a large computer that has a touch screen interface.  Check out the link to learn more.   My favorite thing was the computers with the Microsoft Worldwide Telescope program on them.  This place is super cool.

What I like:

• Being able to try out Kinect
• It was quiet
• There was a coffee kiosk with snacks down the hall 
• I also liked trying out the Windows phone
• Plenty of parking

What I would like to see:

• The cafe take debit cards
• Wish it was open on the weekends 

Microsoft Visitor Center
Open Monday -Friday 9-7
(425) 703-6214
15010 NE 36th St
Redmond, Wa 98052
Building 92 (B92 is what is on the signs)

Goodwill Everett

I know, I know, you all think that you already know goodwill! But for those who don't I am going to give a brief review. Goodwill industries is a thrift store and online auction house for new or gently used items. In the stores you can find books, furniture, shoes, house wares, clothing and much more. Some of my favorite items I have found there are golf clubs, toys, All Clad griddle, kids novels, cloths for Halloween and Jeans for myself. They are always having a sale on a different colored tag. Its a lot of fun just to look around and see what is there.

I have had a comment made to me "I feel bad shopping there because I feel like I am taking away from people who really need those items" and for that I respond that they receive so many donations daily that you and the economic challenged have plenty to choose from. And besides thet proceeds from your sales go to help Goodwill provide job training and employment assistants for people who would normally be unemployed. I use to have a client who worked in the Goodwill jobs department. She said she helps people who just got out of jail, handicapped and single parents find jobs.

Goodwill's mission statement is "Goodwill provides quality, effective employment training and basic education to individuals experiencing significant barriers to economic opportunity. Because jobs change lives."

What I like:

• Cheap and current clothing for people who need them
• Great kids books (personal favorite because I have a ferocious reader at home)
• Inexpensive furniture
• Goodwill helps people
• The employees are always really nice
• Electronics that work
• A good return policy

What I would like to see:

• Wider aisles

Local Goodwill

3002 Hoyt Ave

Everett, Wa 98201

(425) 743-6407

or

228 SW Everett Mall Way

Everett, Wa 98204

(425) 353-0957

www.goodwill.org

Auction website

www.shopgoodwill.com

Wishes

Wishes is a new toy store in Everett. Yeah!!! I am so happy they are in Everett. We were so in need of a boutique toy store. Wishes sell toys from smaller and specialty toy companies. Toys for all ages. Popular books. Stuffed animals. Art supplies. Unique broad games and much much more. They are located in the old Borders store in the Everett mall. They are local business and they deserve your business. Check them out next time you need to by a present for your kiddos or a friends party.

Check them out on facebook.

Wishes

1402 SE Everett Mall Way #335

Everett, Wa

wishesemployment@gmail.com

Things I love:

• Green toys
• Science Toys
• German Games
• Popular Best Sellers Books
• Toys for Babies
• Euro Toys
• Jewelry
• Helpful owners

Thing I would to see:

• Everyone I know in Everett go here and give them business!