October 25, 2015 - Kubota Garden

In the south Seattle neighborhood of Rainier Beach is a beautiful 20 acre garden.  On the small acreage are hills and valleys, streams and waterfalls, bridges and ponds, winding paths and an abundance of plants, native and otherwise, arranged in the style of a Japanese garden.  The garden is the legacy of 60 years of work by Fujitaru Kubota.  A Japanese emigrant, Mr. Kubota founded a successful gardening company in Seattle in 1927.  Entirely self-taught as a gardener, his business thrived and the property that would become a Seattle park was the home, office, design and display center.  The gardens at Seattle University are an example of his public work. 

During World War II, the Kubota family was interned at Camp Minidoka in Idaho.  They were able to return at the end of the war and restart the family business.  Mr. Kubota died in 1972 at the age of 94.  

In 1981 the garden was declared a Historical Landmark of the City of Seattle. In 1987 the city acquired the property.  It is maintained by the Seattle Parks and Recreation and supported by volunteers and the Kubota Garden Foundation.  

October 17, 2015 - Sailgate at Half

A quick walk to your boat takes a little sting off of a ten point halftime deficit at this University of Washington football game, located on the shores of Lake Washington.  An estimated 8,000 fans arrive by boat for a home game tying up to the docks at the foot of Husky Stadium or anchoring in the just offshore.  Several water taxis ferry fans to and from their boats.  If you don't own a boat, no problem!  There are several large charter vessels that bring fans to the games from Lake Union or Fisherman's Terminal.  The 'sail gating' that occurs on the docks adjacent to Husky Stadium definitely lend a unique flavor to this school's home football games.

October 11, 2015 - Fauntleroy Promenade

At West Seattle's Lincoln Park, a young father works hard to get the attention of his little one, held in the embrace of mother and grandmother.  In the background the 79,000 ton Singapore-flagged MOH Promise makes its way to the Port of Tacoma.

It was a pleasant autumn day, not just for family photos, but for a stroll, a jog, a nap, or to take in a view of the 37 foot high Alki Point Light three miles to the north, or the boats or the ferries.

October 11, 2015 - The Hunting Grounds

In Seattle's Lincoln Park, winged insects don't stand a chance if they venture near this maze of arachnid mesh.

October 3, 2015 - View From Gasworks

A pair of cyclists pause from their ride on the Burke-Gilman Trail to take in the view at Gasworks Park on the shores of Lake Union.  The 19 acre park on the north shore of Lake Union was opened to the public in 1975.  The park was created from polluted grounds of the last coal gasification plants in the US.  Many parts of the original plant remain on the ground.  The park was originally to be named after the Seattle Council person Myrtle Edwards who spearheaded the city's acquisition of the property.  Her family asked that her name be removed from the park after the decision to leave parts of the plant on the park.  A park on Elliott Bay has since been named in her honor.