Mama Does Tall Ships
Submitted by admin on
Yesterday's afternoon rain nearly cleared the place out, when we got there around 4:00. The ticket seller simultaneously tried to upsell me: "Would you like a PREMIUM ticket or a regular ticket?" And downsell me: "you DO realize that ALL of THESE ships are out on cruises, and that only those are available for boarding right now? alsoboardingclosesatfive." I gave her my best "look, I just paid more than I should have for parking, we're definitely doing this" look and forked over the $10 for the regular boarding pass. (Kids under 10 are free - and there's plentiful free/inexpensive parking near the Tacoma Dome.)
Despite that less than promising beginning, we soldiered on.
We tried out a couple of the ships, with the eldest announcing on our way down the dock that she was sure I had said we'd be going sailing, not just touring them. (If you'd like to do that, it's another $40) Fortunately, that storm dissipated when we stepped aboard and started looking around. As advertised, only a few of the smaller ships were available. The kids were interested at first but quickly decided they'd rather check out the vendors on dry land.
Fortified with a couple of ice cream bars, we ran into a friend from Metro Parks, who tipped us off that there was a Kids Cove just around the bend.
Pirates of Puget Sound and a few other local piratical organizations had been brought in by Metro Parks to set up kids activities, including a series of games like "bat a rat" and "load the cannon" that kids can play for free, or to solve the puzzle of a $1 treasure map and win a special prize.
I was proud of Littlest for falling and skinning her shin, then getting right up and finishing this game, which some of the little kids found too overwhelming. Captain Jack gave her an extra prize, for valor. After that, we used the Pirate First Aid Kit and continued on toward the Foss Waterway Seaport Museum. Unfortunately, they closed just before we reached the builiding. The festival went on until 8 pm, but apparently the museum closed at 5 or 6.
The kids were tired of walking, so we grabbed a shuttle bus back to the Tacoma Dome, retrieved the car from Ye Olde Far Flung Expensive Lot, and sailed home.
Bottom Line: It's really not all that crowded, so if memories of the last Tall Ships are keeping you away, don't let that stop you. We walked right on the two vessels we managed to tour. Boarding Passes? Eh, maybe. Check which ships are available for boarding first, and make sure the kids know what you will and won't be doing before you get there. Food: expensive, festival-esque. Hold out for Johnny's Seafood, Woody's or Dock St Sandwich Co. Getting Around: the shuttle buses don't just run to parking lots, they'll actually take you from one end of the festival to to the other. (one way) Next time, I'd take one right off the bat to get to the museum before it closed.
1 Comment
Authored by: Anonymous on
Submitted by old-anonymous (not verified) on
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, July 06 2008 @ 04:05 PM PDT
Well put mama. I'm glad you had fun!
-Steph DeRosa
[ Reply to This | Delete | 24.19.83.121 | # ]
Mama Does Tall Ships
Authored by: Jenyum on Sunday, July 06 2008 @ 07:01 PM PDT
Yes, well, I'm still trying to get rid of that burning sensation, but this too shall pass.
As a friend put it: "Honey, I think your days of volunteering need to be over."
[ Reply to This | Delete | 131.191.55.110 | # ]
Mama Does Tall Ships
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, July 06 2008 @ 05:27 PM PDT
I just got back from Tall Ships with the kids and it was CROWDED. Lots and lots of walking and lines with wait times over one hour. So we didn't board any ships, grabbed some fries and got out of the place as fast as the kids could walk. This took almost 3 hours. The whole event was really overstimulating with so many vendors. We did stop for a while to watch some master carvers work on a canoe made from a 600 year old cedar (the tree had blown down in a windstorm). They answered all of our questions while they were working under a tent, which provided much needed shade.
--Amy
[ Reply to This | Delete | 131.191.94.9 | # ]
Mama Does Tall Ships
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, July 06 2008 @ 06:46 PM PDT
Yikes, well I think the rain is what saved us.
[ Reply to This | Delete | 131.191.55.110 | # ]
Mama Does Tall Ships
Authored by: Anonymous on Sunday, July 06 2008 @ 11:11 PM PDT
My boyfriend & I had a great time at the Magic Lantern show at the Pythian Temple Sat. night. There was a quick 10 min. introduction to what the lanterns are & how they work, etc. Then they did a fun (audience participation encouraged) "main attraction" about the history of Tall Ships and ship production in Tacoma along with retro commercials. There was a member of the Knights of Pythias standing by to answer questions about the building & organization who even gave us a "backstage" tour of the balcony and let us try out the antique organ. Thanks for the link on your blog...we had a blast! -MariClaire
[ Reply to This | Delete | 96.26.236.242 | # ]
Mama Does Tall Ships
Authored by: Jenyum on Tuesday, July 08 2008 @ 04:19 PM PDT
I'm glad you had fun! It sounded like a really great event, the Pythian Temple is such a neat building. I would have gone but my crew was a little fatigued.
[ Reply to This | Delete | 131.191.55.110 | # ]
Mama Does Tall Ships
Authored by: Anonymous on Tuesday, July 08 2008 @ 03:00 PM PDT
Thank you very much Jenyum! As one of the Pirates of Puget Sound, I
remember your little one. What valor! :)
I am very glad you and your littles enjoyed the games and the piratical
adventure, ultimately winning the treasure!
Speaking for all of us, we also thank you for including the link to our
site. You may join our crew anytime. (Still searching for a ship,
however. So if you happen to commandeer say....the Lady Washington
or it's ilk, we might be willing to mutiny and name you our new
captain.... just don't spread that around.)
Happy Sailing
[ Reply to This | Delete | 216.36.113.37 | # ]
Mama Does Tall Ships
Authored by: Jenyum on Tuesday, July 08 2008 @ 04:17 PM PDT
If I spy any unattended Tall Ships moored in Commencement Bay, I'll be sure to claim one for you.
[ Reply to This | Delete | 131.191.55.110 | # ]
Mama Does Tall Ships
Authored by: Anonymous on Wednesday, July 09 2008 @ 03:41 PM PDT
We have an accord! :)
Happy Summer!
Bumper Jack
Add new comment