May 13, 2014 - Urban Garden

Driving by this artwork on a rainy day it is easy to notice this three story sculpture when entering downtown Seattle from Interstate 5.  However, it takes a foot commute and a gorgeous day to truly appreciate the whimsical sculpture.  Installed in June of 2011, "Urban Garden" by Ginny Ruffner is a 27 foot high animated sculpture in downtown Seattle at 7th and Union.  In 15 minutes it will cycle through a watering can watering the 9 foot high pot, to having the Blue Bells open and the Daisy turn.

"Urban Garden" as viewed from Freeway Park.

May 1, 2014 - Twenty-four Seven

The Art Deco styled Pacific Tower on Seattle's Beacon Hill and Mount Rainier as viewed through the tail rotor of an Airlift Northwest Eurocopter EC-135 at Harborview Medical Center.  Better known as the Pacific Medical Building, the 16-story Art Deco building opened as a Marine Hospital in 1933.

Airlift Northwest is a non-profit organization affiliated with the University of Washington that provides emergency medical transportation throughout Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.  Dr. Michael Copass founded Airlift Northwest in 1982.  They make over 3200 medical transports a year, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Earlier this Spring their helicopters transported 5 survivors of the Oso landslide to region hospitals.  The first victim airlifted by Airlift Northwest was an infant that was brought to this landing pad at Harborview Medical Center.

Pictured here are two of their Eurocopter EC-135s - N139AM and N954AL.  The EC-135 has been in service with police and ambulance services around the globe since 1996.  In 2013 it was reported that the EC-135 was providing a quarter of the world's civilian emergency medical services flights.   

April 5, 2014 - West of Suzallo

From the steps of the University of Washington's Suzzallo Library, the profile of Lorado Taft's giant sculpture of George Washington, framed by Barnett Newman's "Broken Obelisk", appears to be watching over the I-5 traffic on the Ship Canal Bridge.  At times it can seem like the traffic moves as swiftly as the statue...

The sculpture of the first President was unveiled on June 14, 1909, just in time for the opening of the 1909 Alaska-Yukon Exposition and represents yet another legacy of this bold fair.  The local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution along with school children throughout the state and the state commission of the Alaska-Yukon Exposition paid for Mr. Taft's work.  Lorado Taft grew up in Urbana Illinois and his father taught at what is now the University of Illinois at Champagn-Urbana.  He himself taught at the Chicago Art Institute and many of his sculptures are located in the greater Chicago area.

April 5, 2014 - Race Day!

A pair of UW boats lead the Varsity Four race of the Husky Open, passing under the Montlake Bridge ahead of Seattle University and a pair of Western Washington University boats.  

The Husky Open this year featured over two dozen races and rowing teams from several universities - Brown, Washington, Drexel, Oregon State, Western Washington and Seatte University - as well as local club teams.  It is one of the last events the Huskies will host this season.  The crew season is capped off by the Windermere Cup, held on the opening day of boating, the first Saturday of May.  This year the Huskies will host the national team of Great Britain on May 3rd.  Each year thousands of fans line the Montlake Cut's 2000 meter course.  The mile and a quarter length can be covered by an 8 man boat in 5 1/2 minutes!

The UW Varsity 4 A team with an open water lead as they approach the finish line.

The starting point of the race is over 1500 meters east of the Montlake Bridge near where the second point of land on the right side of the frame. 

The Washington Women's Open 8 boat cruises to an open water victory over Western Washington. 

The last stroke of the race for the number 2 seat in the Women's Open 8 team...

...and then catch your breath!

The Husky Novice 8 team nears the finish line with less than a boat's length lead on Seattle University. 

The Western Washington Varsity 8 prepares to enter the cut with a boat length lead.  They would hang on to win.

A local club team rows back under the Montlake Bridge after their race.