Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
Just Because I Love Sunsets
It was cold today – there were even tiny snowflakes at times. So other than a trip to the grocery store I put off today’s walk and stayed inside; until around 5:45 when I looked out my window and saw the sun beginning to set. It was finally time for some fresh air and I walked to the park and captured this cloudy winter sunset.
Just because I love sunsets.
~ Susanne
A Capitol Tour of the Other Washington
The Other Washington – that’s us – the beautiful, most northwestern state in the United States of America. Olympia is Washington’s capital and that’s where I’m going to take you in this post. Though I’ve been to Olympia many times, I’d only been inside the Capitol Building once, and that was on a school trip many years ago. So on a cold and sunny winter’s day we thought it was a good time to explore the domed capitol that looms over our state capital (and yes it’s hard to keep those two words straight – I hope I got it right!)
Washington’s State Capitol Campus was designed in 1927 by the Olmstead Brothers, planners of New York’s Central Park, and includes 50 landscaped acres with spectacular bulbs and plantings and old growth conifers. I’ll need to return later this spring to see all those bulbs in bloom. In the meantime the camellias were lovely,
As was the fountain, a replica of Tivoli Fountain in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Several memorials adorn the grounds, including the Winged Victory Monument, installed in 1938 and dedicated to veterans of World War 1.
The Campus includes a group of classical buildings but the centerpiece is the Legislative Building completed in 1928. Its brick and sandstone dome rises 287 feet to the top of the cupola, making it the tallest masonry dome in North America.
As we approached the building we were greeted by a peaceful demonstration on the front steps – nothing like a good protest to prove that democracy is working. This one was lobbying against a proposed methanol plant in Kalama on the Columbia River, that would use natural gas obtained through fracking. (Do we really want to stir things up with fracking in earthquake country?? I don’t think so.)
We listened for a few minutes before heading inside where we saw the chandelier suspended from inside the dome overhead. The largest ever created by Tiffany Studios, the 5-ton, 25 foot tall chandelier contains over 200 lightbulbs and hangs from a 101 foot chain.
Other Tiffany light fixtures can be found throughout the building as well as four statuesque Roman-style firepots, replicas of those used to call the first Senate into session more than 2,000 years ago.
It was also fitting to find a bust of George Washington in the only state named after him.
As we continued to explore inside the building we came across a special exhibit on 1968, that showcased some of our local icons.
It also included exhibits on Dan Evans who was Governor at the time – and surprise! – he was governor the last time I visited too! (Please don’t do the math. 😉 )
Though entreated in the letter above, I don’t think he ever ran for President. But our current Governor, Jay Inslee is considering such a run – along with dozens of other Democrats – so you may be hearing more about him.
As our 2-hour parking privileges were nearly up we headed out to lunch at Budd Bay Café where I had a wonderful Caesar salad with Dungeness crab and shrimp, the perks of living on Puget Sound. Afterwards we enjoyed a walk along the waterfront at Budd Bay inlet.
All in all it was an interesting day. I don’t think I’ll wait another 50 years to return to the Capitol Campus.
Posted as part of Jo’s Monday Walks.
~ Susanne
These are a Few of My Favorite Trees
I love trees – all kinds of trees – so I thought I’d share a few of my favorites with you. I’ll start with one closest to home – in the park at the end of my street. I don’t know what kind of tree it is and admittedly it’s quite ordinary by day. But I love to visit this tree at sunset when it seems to come alive.
Next up and still close to home are the Douglas Firs and Western Hemlocks, both abundant in Washington State, in our backyards and in our forests. This is the view you get looking up in many a campground and on many a trail.
The two giants below are at the ‘Grove of the Patriarchs’ in Mt. Rainier National Park. They’re hard to tell apart but I believe that’s a Western Hemlock on the left and a Douglas Fir on the right, judging by the bark.
For a look at the world’s tallest trees let’s head south to the Redwoods of California. We found these at the Big Tree Loop at Prairie Creek in Redwoods National Park.
And here we are in front of ‘Big Tree,’ for scale.
Speaking of scale, the little blurry man below is my husband – standing next to a Giant Sequoia tree. You can find them on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains like we did sometime in the last century. I need to go back if only to get better pictures of the largest trees on earth.
Well, it’s hard to top that one for size but for pure happy, you can’t beat the Rainbow Eucalyptus trees on Maui.
Cheery little fellow isn’t he? 🙂
~That’s all for now.
~ Susanne
A Walk through Seattle’s Chinatown
Okay so maybe it’s not San Francisco but it’s authentic and it’s ours and it’s still the best place for real Chinese food in Seattle. When you work downtown you’ll likely make the walk there for somebody’s birthday lunch; or like I did recently, to meet up with old coworkers at Jade Garden – where I admit to trying jellyfish for the first (and last) time – who thought it would be crunchy??
I took the Light Rail to town and emerged at the International District Station 30 minutes later.
I headed to Jade Garden where we shared dish after dish – from the land, from the sky, and from the sea, admittedly trying things I would never order myself and that’s what makes it fun.
But I might prefer Seattle’s oldest Chinese Restaurant, Tai Tung, opened in 1935 and operated by the same family since. It was Bruce Lee’s favorite restaurant – so they say – and he always ordered the beef in oyster sauce. (I’d go with anything sweet and sour.)
After lunch I dropped by Hing Hay Park, a local gathering place and popular with martial arts practitioners.
Then it was onward to King Street Station, after passing through Chinatown’s Historic Gate.
Opened in 1906, King Street Station was designed by the same firm who later worked on New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.
Recently renovated it’s quiet and grand and inviting, quite unlike today’s airports.
I wanted to hop a train to anywhere!
Instead I headed to nearby Smith Tower, Seattle’s first skyscraper.
There I was reminded of my first trip to the top when I was 10 years old. I was bored one summer day so my mom suggested a friend and I take a trip downtown to see Smith Tower. We did just that, paying 35 cents to ride the elevator operated by a friendly man in uniform. Quite the adventure for ten year olds!
I thought 35 cents was rather expensive at the time, so I felt no need to pay the $20 to go to the Observation Deck today. I continued on and got this view of the Tower from the other side.
Are you tired of walking yet? I wasn’t but this post is long enough. So before I go, I’ll show you one more building: Seattle’s tallest skyscraper, 76 story Columbia Center. It was the tallest on the West Coast when completed in 1985, but not anymore.
Apparently it too now has an Observatory that you can spend too much money on to enjoy. Honestly, I spent enough time here during my working days, though mostly for lunch, as my building is the one on the right: Seattle Municipal Tower. See how I managed to squeeze that in? Just a bit more nostalgia to go with my walk. 🙂
Posted as part of Jo’s Monday Walks.
~ Susanne
Moon Shots
I’m happy to have found another photo challenge, this one from City Sonnet where today’s challenge is Moon.
~ Susanne
Cat Falling Asleep
Stage 1 – Oh no! Tomorrow I have to go outside and fight the moles. What if I don’t win? Or worse yet, what if I’m stuck inside because of rain or snow? I’ll go crazy if I have to stay in another day!
Stage 2 – Nah. I always win. And I like playing in the snow. I’m worrying about nothing. It’s going to be alright.
Stage 3 – purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
Starring my favorite little feline, Benji, and prompted by Friday Foto Fun – Pets
~ Susanne
Canadian Rocky Green and Blue
I think I’ll make up a new color since I can’t decide what it is. Aquamarine? Turquoise? Teal? All I know is that I love, love, love the beautiful lakes of the Canadian Rockies. And so for this week’s Fun Foto Challenge I give you Canadian Rocky Green and Blue in four lakes.
Lake Louise – Queen of the Rockies
I don’t know if there is a more beautiful lake in the Rockies than this one.
Unless it’s this one?
Lake Moraine
Or this one?
Bow Lake
Or maybe this one?
Peyto Lake
These pictures came from our trip to the Canadian Rockies in August of 2016, but we’ve been up north to see these gems before. Depending on the time of year, and the amount of snow and glacial silt in the water, the colors can change from shades of milky green and emerald to brilliant hues of purple and blue.
So these I am calling Canadian Rocky Green and Blue. If you’re ever in the neighborhood, check them out.
~ Susanne
Memories at Snoqualmie Falls
The day before the snow arrived – it seems so long ago – we went to Snoqualmie Falls, one of our favorite local attractions. The Falls are an easy drive from Seattle and a place to wow your out-of-town guests. Or to celebrate a special event like I did with brunch when I graduated from college. Or to impress your date with a fancy dinner as Bob did me so many years ago.
We haven’t been back for dinner since that first date in 1982 – maybe we should work on that – but we have been back many times to take in the views of the Falls.
And sometimes to walk the trail to the bottom – but not this time. Today we were content to view the Falls from above sprayed by the mist at the overlook. Then continue our drive through the lovely farmland and small towns of Snoqualmie Valley.
We stopped in Duvall for lunch – brunch actually – and split a delicious plate of homemade biscuits and gravy, eggs and country potatoes. Afterwards we went to nearby Tolt MacDonald Park in Carnation, a state park and campground that straddles the Snoqualmie River. We love crossing the suspension bridge and admiring the views of the river.
I also love the trees on the grassy side of the park, where it seems to me they always have something to say.
This one foreboding.
These, kicking up their heels in dance.
After that it was a stop for dinner and pie; a wonderful winter’s day under mild temperatures and completely snow-free.
That would all end the next day.
~ Susanne
P.S. And for those of you counting, yes, I have now posted 7 days in a row for the first – and possibly last 😉 – time!
On Blogging and the Snow
Yesterday I was notified by WordPress that I’m apparently on a roll having posted 5 days in a row. I think my being cooped up here during Snowmageddon has something to do with it – which makes me wonder – what did those pioneers do all winter with no electricity, confined by the snow day after day ?? – but I digress.
Now don’t worry I don’t intend to post everyday from now on – I can’t possibly do it – hats off to all who can! But I figured since I already have five days in a row, why not live dangerously and go for a week? 🙂 So here’s number 6.
First of all, it’s still snowing in the Great Northwest wearing out even the most enthusiastic snow-lovers among us. Over 20 inches so far in Seattle this month and more snow than we’ve had in 70 years, depending on which news outlet you believe and where they measure. Regardless, there’s been a LOT of snow!
And the cats are going stir-crazy.
This morning Benji was perched at the top of the stairs lamenting the weather in song and looking to me for answers. I had none.
Tiger got tired of being harassed by his little brother and opted to try his luck outside this morning.
As for me, I’m missing my morning latte as it would be foolish to drive in the snow to get one. I’ll have to make do with regular coffee.
Supposedly it’s warming up and the snow will turn to rain over the next few days. But who really knows? From where I sit, the snow is still falling and this is the view from my office window.
But that’s enough for day 6! I’ll save something for day 7.
See you tomorrow!
~ Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 