I spent a lot of time in Spanaway and Parkland as a kid. My grandfather, Carlos, who was born in Puerto Rico, proudly served in the U.S. Army before spending the rest of his career working locally for the federal government. His wife and my grandmother, Margrit, emigrated from Germany when they married.
Some things that stick out in my memory: eating weisswurst and soft pretzels from Hess — the Germany bakery and deli near the Lakewood Towne Center — my grandma’s brand of German discipline, driving around Joint Base Lewis-McChord and shopping at the PX and playing with my siblings at Sprinker Recreation Center and other nearby parks.
So when I pulled into Lake Spanaway Golf Course last week, situated off Pacific Avenue and across the street from Sprinker, it felt like returning to my childhood. It was extremely impactful…