Score! We take the RV out to the ballgame
As longtime fans of the Seattle Mariners, we’ve been on a giddy ride as they surged to the top of the standings this summer.
One night, after another victory, we looked at the T-Mobile Park schedule and had a question: Could we actually use our RV to go to a game?
The odds were against us: Seattle’s crazy traffic, expensive to non-existent parking for RVs, and don’t forget that you also need to find a place to stay.
We consulted our higher power and asked, WWJD -- that is, What Would Julio Do? Of course, the M’s superstar centerfielder replied, “Go for it!”
So we did. Here’s how our great Mariners adventure went down.
We had our eye on an Aug. 30 day game against the Oakland A’s, and quickly checked availability the night before at Dash Point State Park in Federal Way, about 40 minutes south of T-Mobile Park. Yes -- there was space.
We’ve never been to Dash Point, but it has always been on our radar. Pulling in, we were pleasantly surprised: Dash Point is a lovely state park tucked away from the urban sprawl of the Seattle-Tacoma area, set amid an old-growth forest on the south Puget Sound shoreline.
After setting up camp in an unpowered site, we hiked along a tumbling stream down to the beach, where we took in the views of Maury Island and the Olympic Mountains across the Sound.
After a restful, quiet night, it was time to get our game on. Suited up in our M’s gear, we hit the road, not really sure what the day would bring. First order of business, find parking.
Parking lots are everywhere around T-Mobile Park, but most don’t accommodate RVs -- and they’re ridiculously expensive.
We talked about all kinds of scenarios. Why not park at the University of Washington and take the light rail to the game? John wondered. What about parking at Uwajimaya grocery store in Seattle’s International District, Leslie asked. We had no obvious path to follow.
We arrived early and drove around the stadium district, then saw that there was space at the Lumen Field parking lot north of T-Mobile. It was $50, but so what? We pulled in.
The parking attendant told us they could take us -- if we bought two spaces. That’s $100 for those doing the math. “And there’s no sleeping overnight in the parking lot,” he added.
Uh -- no thanks. We kept looking. And a few blocks away on Jackson Street in the International District, we found our spot under the I-5 freeway in a large parking lot, $10 per space. Our 23-foot RV barely fit in a spot, and we paid cash -- yes, they only took cash -- then headed for the game.
Now we pause to offer this heads up: The aforementioned parking lot is in a part of town that’s been dealing with drug-related crimes. Use at your own risk. We felt reasonably safe parking there for a day game.
After a mile walk to the stadium, we bought fantastic seats on the 300 level behind home plate. As for the game, it was everything we hoped for. The Mariners came back in thrilling fashion, winning 5-4 and setting a franchise record for victories in a calendar month.
Thanks team! Our great RV adventure to see the Mariners was a winner.
If you go
The major league pennant race and playoffs continue through September and October, and, of course, there are Seattle Seahawks home games, too.
Camping: Two state parks with camping are south of Seattle -- Dash Point State Park and Saltwater State Park. Commercial parks are located north of Seattle in Lynnwood and Bothell, where we’ve stayed at Lake Pleasant RV Park.