July 31, 2014 - The Mountain is Out

In Seattle, when you say "The Mountain is out."  There isn't any need to specify which one.  "The Mountain" is Mount Rainier.  No peak in the Olympics to the west, across Puget Sound stands out.  That range tops out at just under 8,000 feet but the peaks run together like the teeth on a saw.  No peak at the portion of the Cascades east of Seattle approaches The Mountain's height.  To the north, Mount Baker at nearly 11,000 feet is often visible from parts of Seattle but its distance from Seattle precludes any dominance of the skyline.  Over 50 miles south of Seattle and at over 14,000 feet high, The Mountain is easily visible for miles around, even as far away as the San Juan Islands 75 miles north of Seattle. 

 

July 9, 2014 - Mills Canyon Fire

The Mills Canyon fire burns the hills just south of the Entiat river, the north border of the 22,000 acre wildfire.  This was taken from Daroga State Park two miles north.

July 12, 2014 - Bella Luna, Red Moon, Super Moon

A waxing gibbous moon rise crests the hills above the Columbia River north of Wenatchee, Washington, July 10, 2014.

On the eve of the super moon, smoke from the nearby 22,000 acre Mills Canyon wildfire turns the moon red, July 11, 2014.

The super moon rises above the Columbia River north of Wenatchee, Washington, July 12, 2014.

July 4, 2014 - Maxwelton Beach Pre-Parade

Everyone loves a parade!  Queuing up for the annual Fourth of July parade in the small beach front community of Maxwelton on Whidbey Island was some classic sports cars  (including a replica 1930s Morgan three wheel sports car) and a group of costumed bicyclists representing the local food bank. Unfortunately, there wasn't room in the blog for entries such as the pick-up with Yoda and Spiderman, the pirate ship float or the candy-throwing "Sandy Hook Amigos".  Maybe next year!

July 6, 2014 - Mukilteo Light Lavender

The Mukilteo Light Station has been in operation since March 1, 1906.  If you've seen a lighthouse in the Pacific Northwest, chances are it was designed by Carl Leick of the United States Lighthouse Board.  The 38 foot high lighthouse located next to the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal is no exception.  The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.  The property was turned over to the City of Mukilteo in 2001, but the light, with its unique flash sequence of 2 seconds on, 3 seconds off, is still maintained as a navigational aid by the US Coast Guard.  The lens of the light was originally made in France in 1852, and was installed here when the station converted to electricity in 1927.