I recently had the privilege of corresponding with the Honorable Mike McGinn, the mayor of Seattle (the area I called home until last month) about things to do in the Emerald City. His first suggestion was to “rent a boat from the Wooden Boat Center in South Lake Union.”

The Center for Wooden Boats (CWB) is a floating museum on South Lake Union (they have a second location at Cama Beach State Park, north of the city) whose mission is to preserve and continue the stories and understanding of wooden boats. But it’s not just for looking, you can also rent a craft, learn to sail, have a wedding, or just sit back and watch the boats float by. You know, stuff like that.

If you decide to visit the Center for Wooden Boats you may want to stop by Serious Pie for a slice of pizza. Serious Pie shares space with the Biscuit Bar and a wine shop, the combination of which makes for a great picnic on the water. This one is my idea, not the mayor’s.  See, I’m bringing something to the table (or picnic basket as the case may be).

I’d like to thank Mayor McGinn for his suggestions and helpful list of things to do in Seattle.

Seriously? Can this look any more wonderful? I don’t think so.

Whether you are taking a romantic sail beneath the moonlight, a solo trip around the world or an afternoon excursion with the entire family, it’s hard to beat a day of wind and water.

Not to be a downer, but there are some important things to keep in mind, especially if children are involved: Safety vests/approved flotation devices should be worn by kids at all times (and any adult that isn’t that strong of a swimmer), sunscreen saves skin and lives (plus it usually smells pretty good), know what you’re doing and where you are — this last one may sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many three hour tours end badly. That said, sailing (and boating in general) is a great way to spend a family summer vacation. Have fun!

This post is part of our Friday Family Series.

Photo: crlbvi via Flickr

The Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid, NY

Over Memorial Day weekend, my family made the almost six-hour drive from our home in suburban Boston to Lake Placid, New York.  The vacation was exactly what we were looking for – relaxation, quality time, and family fun.

As guests of the Mirror Lake Inn, we had a comfortable three-bedroom suite, complete with with a gorgeous, relaxing view of Mirror Lake.  It was great to just sit on the porch and look out over that view – especially in the morning and the evening, when it was so calm and quiet.

Memorial Day weekend in Lake Placid, while still busy, is a much slower time than the middle of the summer.  Many of the seasonal activities, including some of the Olympic Village activities, are closed until mid-June.  The weather is also a bit too chilly for beach activities, so the crowds tend to stay away.  For us, this was perfect for our purposes!

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Standing room only.

This would have been a fishing story, but it’s a Wordless Wednesday entry and they tend to frown on such things, namely the word part.

You’ll just have to trust me that this gentleman is fishing in Esteban, Galicia in Spain, and let the picture tell a thousand words (give or take a few hundred).

Photo by jl.cernadas via Flickr