Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
A Very Good Day on Ruston Way, Complete with Mt. Rainier and Wildlife
It started out in living color at sunrise, and I knew it was going to be a very good day.
After it warmed up, we took a drive south to Ruston Way in Tacoma.
Even from the highway I was enchanted by my favorite clouds (lenticular) over my favorite mountain (Rainier.) I was on a highway (167) in a moving vehicle and all I had was my phone (I was not driving) but it was worth a try to capture the clouds.
A short while later we were at Ruston Way and I was happy to see the clouds were still visible as was the mountain.
We took a walk on the paved path enjoying the sights and sounds of a beautiful (almost) winter’s day.
Does it get any better than this?
The seals were out sunning themselves in this little cove,
enjoying the weather too.
I looked for killer whales which are sometimes seen in the area (for obvious reasons it seems to me) but had no luck.
I did see a colorful bird – a Meadowlark – I believe. I don’t get them in my yard - no meadow, I guess.
After our walk we had lunch at our favorite restaurant – Stack 571- named after the smokestack that stood in this location from 1917 to 1993. Yes it was 571 feet tall and I’m quite sure, the source of my childhood memories of the ‘Tacoma aroma.’
Afterwards, we drove through the forest in Point Defiance Park to Owens Beach.
These are typical Northwest woods and I love them.
Down below, the locals were out for a day at the beach, all of us, so relieved that last week’s ‘atmospheric river’ finally moved on.
A typical Northwest beach, good for prancing around and throwing rocks into the water.
I continued to keep my eye out for killer whales, but it was not to be.
Unless you count this one.
And that will have to do.
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
Very beautiful photos, Susanne, the third photo has Lenticular clouds in it. Those are seen here once in a while from two 11,000 peaks that cause them. 😊
Thanks, John. I saw the lenticular clouds all the way down from the road, and they were still hovering near the mountain at Ruston Way. They are my favorites.
Aren’t they so cool-looking? Like an alien space ship haha! 😂
Great photos!
Thanks, John!
A beautiful place for a walk on a beautiful day – thank you for sharing it wit us 🙂 I love the lenticular clouds and of course I always like to see the mountain. The seals are great too, and your beaches are just the sort I enjoy!
Thank you. 😊 It really is a great place to walk, with lots of eateries and Pt. Defiance Park next door! And I always see seals, maybe someday a killer whale!
I hope so!
The clouds, the mountain, and the wildlife all posed very nicely for you on that day, Susanne. 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks, Pete. It was a great day all around with the weather, scenery and wildlife!
Beautiful photos~~
Thank you. 😊
Still, seals !! That tops a lovely day.
Yes, lots of seals! Thank you.