Trump In Everett

Xfinity Arena © Aaron Everly

Do you know what happens when you walk circles around Xfinity Arena for seven hours in hope of getting some good content to report on during a Trump rally in Everett?  You get sore legs, you learn where the toilets are, and you learn to appreciate the historical flavor of the area.

Protester Side © Aaron Everly

The Trump rally was not impressive, in fact I will never be emotionally manipulated by the media about these sorts of things again.  I was so hyped, I could not decide if I would rather wait in the line with the supporters or wait outside with the protesters, in either case I had to think quick.  With time speeding up and a growing line, I thought about all those anti-Trump riots and crazy people yelling into cameras on media outlets, “surely there’s more action outside”, I thought.  I stayed outside with the protesters, participating objectively.

No Access © Aaron Everly

Around 7pm there were approximately 200 protesters and 8,000 Trump supporters.  That should speak as to which way Everett leans politically.

Trump Rally Line © Aaron Everly

Outside, there were a few people serving and spiking profanities like a volleyball match, but then again I felt people didn’t put much emotion into the words exerted.  There were a few instigators, they left as quickly as they came once they discovered all participants were low energy.  The evangelists, the few determined to proselytize a form of Christianity with the use of a megaphone, spoke nonstop for the entire 7-8 hours I was there.  The majority of Trump supporters absorbed all of this runoff like a rock.  Not one person in the Trump line became irate by a protesting view, opinion, or profanity.

Juggling Opinions © Aaron Everly

            Other than the bipolar atmosphere of the event, in a moment of observation, the buildings surrounding the arena are brick and filled with character.  The streets are clean and you can feel the energy of growth there.  Growth of restaurants and small business are vibrant, one can only hope that some of that old flavor architecture can survive in a time of change for some Snohomish County communities.  It is something that I will have to revisit in the future.

Standing Around © Aaron Everly

Toilets are a commodity.  If you ever find yourself waiting in line for a huge event outside of Xfinity Arena, don’t drink water or eat a burrito 4-5 hours prior.  There were no portable toilets or regular toilets in the area.  Public toilets are located in the courthouse, Long John Silvers, or QFC (10-15 minute walk).  There are restaurant toilets, but they are only receptive to customers.  I don’t know why there aren’t any easy access toilets available to the public around the arena, but it is something that the city might want to visit in a growing Everett.

Granite Falls Museum

Granite Falls, WA has a rich history in mining, logging and railroading industries, all of which once flourished in Snohomish County.  The city is made up of approximately 3,500 people.  The roads here are easily navigable and maintain a consistent flow of traffic.  The Granite Falls Museum is located a short drive from the central part of town and is located behind the community food bank off of the main road, so finding it without GPS will be tricky. 

The Sharp House (from parking lot) © Aaron Everly

There are two separate structures on the same property that make up the museum.

The Sharp House was the original museum and established in 1971.  Inside the Sharp House, visitors can time travel back to 1905 and parts of the early to mid-20^th century.  There are no barriers that separate people from the displays, so visitors can get up-close and personal with the past.  The museum has great trust in its community and people who visit.

Sharp House Interior © Aaron Everly

The main museum opened in 2007.  Here visitors can get an in-depth history lesson.  Each section of this museum allows visitors the opportunity to reflect on economical, industrial, and technological advances that have occurred in the city.  Visitors can explore and interact with the infinite display of antiquated items, just don’t drive away in the Ford Model-T.

Wall of Photos (2nd floor of Museum) © Aaron Everly

A myriad collection of maps is what makes this the most unique museum in SnoCo.  If you have ancestral roots in Snohomish County, this museum has the technological capability to search for homestead boundaries since 1910.  So where a Fred Meyer now exists, that may have been a plot of land owned by your ancestor.  In addition to homestead maps, they have railroad and mining maps for the explorer in you.  All of the maps are digitized. 

The museum is open on Sundays from 12pm - 5pm.  The staff is volunteer and their ability to recall historical points are impressive.  There is a clean toilet available at the entrance.  There is no cost to visit, but donations are welcome and so are you.

For more information about the city please scan the UR code or follow the link on your mobile device.  The information contained there has been provided by Snohomish County.

History Lesson

Change in Snohomish County is occurring quite rapidly.   As this change occurs throughout our communities it’s comforting to know that there are organizations established to preserve and record history.   It may be a little late to capture what was prior to 2016, but its not to late to capture the transition and what the future will be 20 years from now.

Grimm House and Lake Stevens Historical Museum © Aaron Everly

In Lake Stevens, WA, sits the Grimm House directly adjacent from the Lake Stevens Historical Museum.  The house is important because it is one of the first of four houses built in Lake Stevens at the turn of the century.  It represents life of those who first settled and built the city.  It was moved from its original location and renovated by volunteers in the community.  If you want a tour of the house, just ask one of the kind volunteers who are usually located in the Museum.

Grimm House Bedroom © Aaron Everly

The museum is small, but is packed with tons of information and historical items.  When the library is relocated, I can see the museum expanding.  Inside the museum there are artifacts that came from Native Americans, settlers, and earlier residents. Gini, the famed four-footed duck that became the symbol of AquaFest, is also on display and her story will surely give you a kick.  The Gayle Whitsell Memorial Reading Room allows visitors to thumb through documents and photos located on a bookshelf.

Gayle Whitsell Memorial Reading Room © Aaron Everly

If you are ever in the area on a Friday or Saturday from 1pm-4pm please stop by.  The volunteer staff are ready to answer your questions or show you around.  There is plenty of free parking and clean public toilets are available in the museum and library, but not in the Grimm House, the plumbing hasn’t been set up yet.

Grimm House Bathroom © Aaron Everly