CenturyLink Field and Our Love for the Seahawks

While the Rain or Shine Guides team was technically born and raised in the Midwest, we consider ourselves Seattleites, and that means our love for the Seahawks runs deep. Having held season tickets for the last 10 years, we have been with the team for many highs, a few lows and that time Marshawn Lynch ran so hard and far he caused a minor earthquake. With the season in full swing, we thought we would give you all the information you need to make a day at Century Link Field a success. Face paint optional.

Know Before You Go

Century Link Field is located in south downtown and is easily accessible by public transportation. The light rail and multiple bus options stops at Stadium Station Tunnel and the Sounder train heads up from Tacoma stopping at the stadium as well. If you want to park, there are plenty of options, but expect to pay anywhere from $35 - $50.

You’ll be required to go through security and bags are not allowed in the stadium unless they are 100% clear. You can buy clear bags online here, but we like to travel light! Stick your cell phone and wallet in your pocket, and now you can have a beer in one hand and a hot dog in the other!

On game day, Utah Avenue becomes “Hawk Alley” and is filled with fans tailgating. If you are visiting (or just don’t want the hassle), it’s still fun to walk down and see all the crazy costumes, feel the spirit, and hope that someone throws a burger your way.

Inside The Stadium

Come hungry because there are some amazing food options! We recommend Rain Shadow Meats, Stadium Signature Nachos, Beecher’s, or Kraken Congee. You might be lured in by Ezel’s chicken and waffles, but we tried it and the waffles were hard as rock. You’ve been warned.

Nachos!

Looks pretty, tastes bad

It’s best to come a half hour before the game because the pre-game show is awesome! The Sea Gals perform, a Seattle celebrity raises the 12th Man flag, an actual seahawk flies through the stadium, the starting defense or offense runs through a tunnel lit up by fireworks, and there is enthusiasm, excitement, and heckling of the other team.

The pre-game spectacle

Seattle is known for rain and chances are there will be games where it is, in fact, raining. Only part of the stadium is covered (the 300 section mostly), so make sure you check your seat location and the weather beforehand and dress appropriately.

All hail Richard Sherman!

Century Link Field is the second loudest stadium in the NFL (darn you Kansas City for taking the title from us), but we DO hold the record for causing the most number of false starts! Come prepared to YELL and CHEER, but never, ever while the Seahawks offense is on the field at the beginning of a play. This is cheering 101. If you are under the age of 5, might we recommend investing in these.

We’ll be at the stadium cheering the team on all year, and hopefully we’ll see you there! GO HAWKS!

The Gorge Amphitheatre

Calling all Deadheads, Grunge kids, Phish Phans, Swifties, Beliebers, Metalheads, and country lovers. Whatever genre of music gets you going, there is one thing all music lovers can agree on. Washington’s Gorge Amphitheater is THE place to catch a show in the PNW. Located in remote George, WA, (around 2.5 hours from Seattle) the amphitheater sits above the Columbia River at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and offers a beautiful and sweeping backdrop to your concert. It draws big names because the venue holds over 27,000 fans at one time and offers a wide selection of food and drinks for all guests (including Beecher's!). Fun fact: The venue has won a ton of awards for being the best outdoor venue in America (take THAT Red Rocks).

Headed to the Gorge...let the good times roll

Now, a concert venue in the remote desert does come with some logistical problems. First off, you aren’t going to find many hotels close by. In fact, there is only one we know of, Cave B. This spot is pretty sweet because it’s a spa AND winery (why, yes, please), and it’s walking distance to the amphitheater. However, it books up fast especially for big name shows.

Your other option is to camp, which really is what a weekend at the Gorge is all about. Our favorite campground is Wild Horse, which provides shuttles to and from the show, a restaurant/grill so you don’t have to pack all your camping cooking equipment, and free coffee in the mornings (which if you are doing things right you're going to need). You can also camp on the Gorge property. The Gorge offers a tiered selection of camping (including glamping in yurts!), but if you want the main lot, just know it’s a little bit crazier and a little bit dustier than Wild Horse. There is a ton of other camp ground options around the gorge, but they tend to be a bit more primitive and will require someone to stay sober to drive you to and from the show. No drinking and driving. This is important.

John Mayer and Bob Weir crushing it at Dead and Co.

Your options for summer shows are running out as the season wraps up Labor Day weekend with a four night run by Dave Matthews. If Dave isn’t your thing, there are also a few festivals left as well.

Insider tip: Due to the location of the venue, it gets very hot during the day and very windy at night. Pack layers and don’t forget to check the weather! 

The wind farm on your way to the Gorge

Fans

Emerald Downs + Horse Racing 101

Pull out the big hats, pour yourself a mint julep, and let’s head to the racetrack! Seattle is lucky enough to have Emerald Downs just a short thirty minute drive from the city in Auburn, WA. It’s a thrilling way to spend a weekend afternoon and affordable (only $7 for entry, $9.50 if you want a reserved seat) as long as you don’t get too crazy with those bets.

Now, we know there is an art form to horse racing. Some say it’s important to visit the horses in the Paddocks before the race to size up the animals. Others use the handy “Parker’s Picks” program, which gives you expert advice on which animal is a good choice. Us? Well, we use the very strategic, mostly successful tactic of picking our horse based on his or her name. A Storm In Paris? Sounds like a winner to us. Maggie’s Special? Totally a sure bet. We once won $230 on a $5 bet by choosing a horse named Life is a Joy. It works. Trust us. (Actually, don’t trust us this isn't very good advice).

If you want to place a bet, you’ll need to let the teller know a few things:

1.       Name the race # you are betting on.

2.       The amount of bet you want to place ($2 is the minimum).

3.       The type of bet you are placing.

4.       The number of the horse (don’t give the horse’s name).

It should sound something like this:

“I would like to bet on race #4, $2 to win on horse #3.”

Now, there are a few different kinds of bets. You can bet your horse will win the race (“win”), come in 2nd place (“place”), or come in 3rd place (“show”). If you want to bet your horse will make it in the top three then you say you want “across the board.” This will cost you a minimum of $6, though, as it is $2 minimum per bet.

If you want to get a little more exotic, you can also bet an Exacta (correctly guessing the first and second place), a Trifecta (correctly guessing the first, second, and third place), and the Supertrifecta (correctly guessing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place). We like to put money on these exotic bets mostly because they are fun to say, but for beginners, we recommend the fairly straightforward bets. Of course, do what you want. We won’t judge. Just don’t mortgage your house or spend your child’s college fun. Standards, people!

Insider tip: Every so often Emerald Downs will host wiener dog races in between the horse races, and this is a spectacle NOT TO MISS. It’s hilarious and chaotic and very, very cute. Emerald Downs also releases Groupon deals quite frequently if you are into making the day even cheaper. Keep an eye out!

Girls Night Out: Brooke Westlund's Fabulous Paint Night

Readers, we love ya, but we have an honest truth for you. If you are paying for those paint nights where everyone in the class recreates Starry Night you are doing it all wrong. Last week we had the pleasure of hanging out with Brooke Westlund, a Seattle abstract artist, in her studio in Pike Place Market and creating some truly unique and beautiful art pieces to take home. 

The whole experience was a perfect 10. Brooke was ready with wine, snacks, and paint stations when the group arrived (she won us over at wine). We grabbed our aprons and started choosing colors for our paintings and then got started! It took about 3 hours from start to finish, but this is at a very relaxed pace; we gabbed and oo'ed and ahhh'ed over everyone's works, which added a lot of time! 

At the end of the night everyone had created something completely unique to their personalities. It was pretty incredible how different they all were. Some did the more geometric style and some did the more circular, bubbly style and all of them were beautiful! 

Even though she is a fabulous artist, we think the part that makes her truly great at throwing these events is her open and friendly personality. She was absolutely one of the girls for the night. We all felt at ease and able to ask for advice on what we should do based on her expertise (and for the indecisive ones in the bunch this was very important). 

Outside of throwing fun paint parties, she also sells some truly rad art. Go find her gallery on Western Ave (we wrote about it when we covered The Backside of the Market) and shop around. There is art for all prices and personalities!