Monday, January 18, 2016

January 18, 2016 - From Plymouth Rock to Alki















On Seattle's Alki Drive, a concrete obelisk commemorates the 1851 arrival of the Denny Party, credited to be the founders of Seattle.  The party of 22 dubbed the area "New York Alki".  Alki was a term used by the Chinook tribe to mean "by and by".  It is now the motto of the State of Washington. Arriving in November the group was assisted by local native Americans, including Chief Seattle, in getting shelter from the winter weather.  The next year Arthur Denny moved his nascent settlement across the bay.

The obelisk was erected in 1905 and contains the names of the Denny Party.










































In addition to the names a plaque reads "At this place on 13 November 1851 there landed from the Schooner Exact Captain Folger the little colony which developed into the City of Seattle".


On this balmy 45 degree morning the long stretch of beach was busy with bikers, joggers, strollers, strollers with strollers, joggers with strollers, dogs and even a stand up paddle boarder.  All were watched by a Bald Eagle on a branch above the obelisk.








Friday, January 15, 2016

January 15, 2016 - Blue Friday

























While the sky may seem gray it's actually a Blue Friday, as the home town Seahawks play on Sunday.  With the Seahawks in the playoffs it means a blue and green livery and a huge blue 12 flag for the Space Needle.




The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation building sports a two story 12 while downtown...



...the Great Wheel is lit in blue, the Russell Investment building sports a 20 story 12 and traces of green and blue are visible on many of the office buildings and construction cranes.  Go Hawks!