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Floating Bridges Lake
Washington’s famous floating bridges, Interstate 90 and State Route
520, connect Seattle with Bellevue and the Eastside. Both highways
resemble ordinary bridges except for the middle portions, which rest on
the water’s surface above air-filled pontoons that support tons of
traffic and concrete. Occasional windstorms push waves of water onto the
road, creating back-ups for commuters.
Floating bridges
Kirkland Once
a small rural town across Lake Washington, Kirkland has grown into a
sprawling suburb with resident Microsoft executives and managers giving
it a reputation for expensive real estate. It’s also known for a
charming waterfront that offers great shopping and dining and fantastic
beaches that provide views of Seattle and the Olympic Mountains. Old Bellevue Bellevue
sometimes gets a bad rap from more city-slicked Seattleites. It’s a
classic suburb, as well as one of the state’s largest cities. But there
is an area that speaks of its former life as a small town. Head to Old
Bellevue and its restored Main Street for the antidote to freeway
interchanges and big box stores, especially if you like buying antiques. Eastside Wineries Tip
your glass of red wine during a visit to Chateau Ste. Michelle,
Washington state’s oldest winery. Their 87 acre wooded estate in
Woodinville, 15-miles (24-km) north of Seattle, hosts tours and well
attended summer concerts. It’s one of several outfits taking advantage
of a climate that favors excellent grape varieties. Other producers of
good quality wine include Columbia Crest, DeLille Cellars, and family
owned and operated Facelli Winery. Chateau Ste. Michelle
A wine cellar
The Gates Estate So
many people wonder how and where one of the world’s richest men lives.
Microsoft’s founder, Bill Gates, built his estate on Lake Washington’s
eastern shore installing the latest technological advancements in modern
living – high-end security systems, customized touch and voice
controls, and luxurious entertainment facilities. The estate is not open
to the public, naturally, but it’s visible from the water and touring
boats occasionally cruise within sight from a considerable distance. Crossroads Shopping Center This
bustling shopping center is popular with Microsoft employees and
vibrant ethnic groups, sometimes in traditional regalia. Free jazz,
folk, and world music concerts on a professional stage and public art
installations help make this a gathering place with personality. 15600 NE 8th St 425 644 1111
Mercer Slough Nature Park This
300 acre park on the grounds of the largest remaining wetland on Lake
Washington has a 5-mile (8-km) network of trails and esplanades.
Bird-watchers flock to the Slough to view 100 species; other wildlife
includes coyote, beaver, and muskrat. Activities comprise canoeing and
kayaking, guided nature walks, and u-pick blueberries during the summer
season. Marymoor Park The
county’s most popular park, located in Redmond, maintains soccer and
baseball fields, a velodrome, and an off-leash dog-training field. Dogs
are free to roam and splash in water, a practice seriously discouraged
or outlawed everywhere else. Park trails connect with the Sammamish
River Trail, a bike route that leads to popular wineries in Woodinville. Luther Burbank Park Mercer
Island is a small affluent community off Interstate 90 near Lake
Washington’s eastern shore. The lovely waterfront park, on the
northeastern tip of the island, offers boaters and visitors notable
attractions such as tennis courts, a playground, and trails that lead to
a swimming area and fishing dock. On summer Sunday afternoons, the park
hosts free concerts in its amphitheater. Dinner Train An
engaging way to travel up the lake to the Washington State wineries
between Renton and Woodinville is on this vintage train that presents
dinner and shows. The cuisine and scenery combine for a great but brief
taste of the golden age of rail travel. The Spirit of Washington departs
from Renton. Spirit of Washington625 S 4th St (Renton) 425 227 7245
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