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.

June 7, 2015 - Pioneer Square

A walk through the Pioneer Square area of Seattle following an all too familiar Mariner loss.  The local landmarks include the rebuilt iron pergola and the 1909 sculpture of Chief Seattle fountain by Joseph Wehn.

January 14, 2011 - Chief Seattle Is the 12th Man

This statue, honoring the city's namesake Chief Si'ahl, appears to be another supporter of the local football franchise; another 12th Man. It was created by James Wehn and unveiled in November 12, 1913 at stands at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Denny Way. Included at the base is a copy of the inscription that Arthur Denny and other Seattle city pioneers placed at Chief Seattle's gravesite in 1890. It reads: "Seattle, Chief of the Suquamish a firm friend of the whites for him the city of Seattle was named by its founders." Chief Si'ahl lived from 1780-1866.

May 18, 2010 - Mobius Strip

The Seattle skyline as viewed through the sculpture "Oushi Zokei Madoka". The sculpture was a gift from the city of Kobe, Japan, commemorating 25 years as Seattle's sister port and is located at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center on the waterfront. The artist, Keizo Ushio, has introduced Mobius Strips to the world on a grand scale using his stone sculptures.

Wikipedia tells one that Mobius Strip "model can easily be created by taking a paper strip and giving it a half-twist, and then joining the ends of the strip together to form a loop."

April 1, 2010 - Commuter Escort

A pair of USCG Defender-class boats enforce a security zone around the Washington State Ferry Kitsap on its run from Seattle to Bremerton as it passes by the South end of Bainbridge Island. The Defender-class boats are 25 feet long, are armed with machine guns and their twin 225hp Honda outboard motors can move them in excess of 50 mph. The response boat - small (RBS) series was introduced by the Coast Guard in 2003 and are used for port security, search and rescue and law enforcement operations. The Defender-class boats are built by SAFE International of Port Orchard, WA. Up to 700 of these craft will eventually be deployed by the USCG.