July 27, 2016 - Prominent Prominence

For many living in the Puget Sound region, Mount Rainier is a commanding presence, weather permitting.  "The Mountain" can be seen on clear days from as far south as Corvallis, Oregon and as far north as Victoria, British Columbia.  It is a stoic white monument of rock and ice and snow that manages to trick the eye into thinking that it is larger on some days than others.  It has a topographical prominence - the vertical distance between the lowest contour line surround it and the top - larger than the world's second largest peak, K2.

On this day, from Doge Peak, elevation of 7006 feet and just 8 miles from Rainier's peak, it commands for other reasons.  Even at the top of Doge Peak the sheer magnitude of one of the world's most dangerous volcanoes becomes apparent.  The mountain is nearly three miles high!  

Mount Rainier is the most heavily glaciated mountain in the US outside of Alaska with 26 major glaciers and 36 square miles of glaciers and permanent snow pack.  From this view the Emmons Glacier is one of the more evident from this point northwest of the mountain.  The White River flows from this glacier.

Doge Peak is a "moderate hike" just 4.2 miles round trip from the Sunrise Visitor Center and lodge located at 6400 feet.  As you walk along the ridge line headed east away from Mount Rainier and Sunrise you are treated to views of sub alpine meadows, wildflowers, Mountain Goats and even the 12,281 foot Mount Adams located 50 miles south.

The road to the Sunrise Visitors Center often doesn't open until early July. It makes accessibility to this Puget Sound landmark incredibly easy.

July 26, 2016 - North Bye West

While a barge makes its way north thru Puget Sound, the sun takes its leave over the western horizon.

January 23, 2016 - Arrival Departure

The Washington State ferry, M/V Puyallup, approaches the Edmonds ferry terminal as the sun departs the Puget Sound and disappears behind the Olympics.

January 23, 2016 - Arrival Departure

The Washington State ferry, M/V Puyallup, approaches the Edmonds ferry terminal as the sun departs the Puget Sound and disappears behind the Olympics.

January 23, 2016 - Arrival Departure

The Washington State ferry, M/V Puyallup, approaches the Edmonds ferry terminal as the sun departs the Puget Sound and disappears behind the Olympics.

January 23, 2016 - Arrival Departure

The Washington State ferry, M/V Puyallup, approaches the Edmonds ferry terminal as the sun departs the Puget Sound and disappears behind the Olympics.

July 15, 2016 - Taste Them All

Tends of thousands of people were on hand at Seattle Center for the first day of the long weekend of "The Bite of Seattle", or simply "The Bite", a free food festival.  The event was first held in Green Lake in 1982, and 25 restaurants participated with an estimated 75,000 attendees.  The event was later moved to Seattle Center.  The event has grown over the years.  This year over 60 restaurants will be participating and in addition to the dozens of food options, features beer and wine tasting, beer and wine drinking, five entertainment stages, cooking demonstrations by celebrity chefs and even outdoor movies at night.

July 15, 2016 - A Jet City Centennial

The Boeing Company celebrated their 100th birthday on July 15th.  One of the events associated with the celebration was opening their jetliners, from their very first jet passenger plane, the 707 to the modern 787 Dreamliner, to the public at a taxiway at the Museum of Flight.  The Space Needle flew a standard in recognition of the company that gave Seattle the nickname "Jet City".  The company has indeed come far from their modest beginnings in a red barn on the shores of Seattle's Duwamish River.  The company has put a lot into the air - fabric covered biplanes to rockets, space capsules, strategic bombers and the ubiquitous 700 series jetliners.  While the company's headquarters moved out of state in 2001, they employ over 50,000 workers in Washington.  Happy birthday, Boeing!

   

July 14, 2016 - Missed Opportunity

On this summer evening at Edmonds' Brackett Landing Park, the clouds moved in to temporarily reclaim the skies from a day of, as Perry Como sang, the "bluest skies you've ever seen".  They put on their own show of shapes and textures and colors, even allowing sun rays to dramatically peak through onto the Kitsap Peninsula.  Just as it seemed that they were going to spoil the sunset completely, they stepped aside and let the sun's oranges, pinks, reds and yellows to shine off of them for a fantastic sunset that painted the entire sky.  For some, whose schedule or lack of patience didn't allow them to stay gazing westward, the show left them with regrets or simply a missed opportunity in their rear view mirror.

July 13, 2016 - Girl With Tree

Richmond Beach Saltwater Park north of Seattle has sweeping views of Puget Sound and the peaks of the Olympic Peninsula.  It is a perfect place to watch the sunset on a July evening or to take in the Madrona on the bluff that overlooks the park.

July 12, 2016 - Loyalty, Industry, Faith and Efficiency

These hand fluted cedar columns of the Iconic order were essential components of the first building of the Washington Territorial University when it opened 1861.  What would become the University of Washington began on a site near the current 4th Avenue and University in what is now the downtown core of Seattle.  When the University was moved to the current site the columns soon followed.  They were moved a second time, to their current site, in the Sylvan Grove in 1921.  Steps away from Drumheller Fountain and the sweeping views of Rainier Vista, the columns, named Loyalty, Industry, Faith and Efficiency, are tucked into this peaceful outdoor theater.  Without their guide, the group of students orienting in preparation for their first year at the University of Washington, would not even know L.I.F.E. existed!

July 12, 2016 - Offensive Transition

An architectural transition that could be described as shocking, dreadful or offensive lends a unique character to the Suzallo and Allen Libraries at the University of Washington.  The trio of styles, from original through expansions, can be seen in a transition elbow on the libraries' south side.  Suzallo library, a classic example of the collegiate Gothic-style, was completed in 1926.   The Allen Library, completed in 1990, ties in the existing architectural styles of the campus with a brick and terra cotta exterior.  Between the original library and the most recent expansion is a 125,000 square foot addition to Suzallo.  The offending transition, done in a modern architecture style, was completed in 1963.

July 4, 2016 - An Alki Stroll

Along Alki Beach Drive are small cottages tucked in among more modern condominiums and apartment buildings.  None are more picturesque than this pair of cottages that appear to be constructed almost completely of flowers and greenery.  One of the owners has lived here for nine years.  With ownership came an inherited duty to continuing a decades-long tradition of maintaining the volume of colors that their neighbor demands.  

The Fourth of July holiday, non-rainy weather and a low tide made for a busy day on Alki Beach.

At a lookout one can take in the view of the Space Needle, the skyline, ferries, sailboats, ships and boats of all kind and even an Osprey catching lunch.  Along the Alki trail one can walk, bike, takek photos, skate, or rent a bike thingie that seems to be more efficient at creating more giggles and laughs than actually turning pedal power into forward energy.