July 2, 2016 - Nice Day, Pretty Colors

The Washington State ferry M/V Tokitae unloads at Clinton on Whidbey Island.  Tokitae means, "nice day, pretty colors" in Chinook jargon.  The 362 foot ferry commissioned in 2014 carries up to 144 vehicles between Mukilteo and Clinton, typically once every half an hour.  On today, one of the busiest days of the year the wait for cars to board the ferry was nearly three hours. 

On the Mukilteo side of the Tokitae run, a seal takes in the sunshine as visitors take in the view from the Mukilteo Light.

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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.