A Work in Progress

I owe you this post.  Landed w/semi self portrait. 

The Freemont Troll.

Beautiful Buchart Gardens.  I know I said 'no more flowers' but this is really a picture of a bee.

Insert Mt. Rainier here.

On Friday we went to Seattle where I didn't see Frasier or a heartsick Tom Hanks, but I did ride a monorail, see a great fish market, and watch the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Seattle is a bustling city of over 620,000.  What I know it best for is that their EMS has the reputation for the fastest response times and best cardiac arrest survival rates in the country.   But enough of that nerdery. The monorail took us on a thrilling one mile ride to the Space Needle.  This Seattle classic is a must do, if only for it's camp value.  Built for the 1962 world's fair, I don't think much has changed since then, except for gift shop expansion.  It's a 40 second elevator ride to the top, and the view from 605 feet is great from the city center to the far reaches of Puget sound. Back on the ground, we visited the Chihuly Glass Garden which was stunning and fascinating.  It is a whole museum of his instillations as well as a garden that joins glass ...

I am relaxing in my friends apartment after four days of camping.  I've dried off my sleeping bag, started some laundry, and taken a 56 hour shower, so now I'll take some time to write about this trip. My dear friends moved to Tacoma this year, and I am visiting them to fulfil my promise to annoy them wherever the Army life takes them.  They'll be moving (sort of) back east this summer, so I am striking while the Pacific Northwest iron is hot. I arrived in Tacoma and was immediately introduced to Pacific NW life.  My friend took me to their farmshare where they pick up fresh fruit, veg, and eggs once a week.  There is plenty of kale.  We had a great lunch and I had my first of many craft brews. In the late afternoon we went to Point Defiance Park , which is an unbelievable municipal park full of beach, ancient trees, well kept gardens, as well as an aquarium and a zoo.  Municipal. Park.  It's lovely.  The next day, I explored Tacoma by hitti...

A misty view up to Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island.

Frog!

It's tough to choose today, so here's a kick-ass bald eagle and a waterfall.

View from Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

On a ferry to the San Juan Islands.

I know I said 'no more flowers' but hey, it's pretty.

I didn't get arrested: this is the jail from the beginning of "The Goonies."

The incredible oregon coast from Ecola State Park. (and a starfish)

For today, here's Mt. St Helens. Well, 65% of the time. After spending some time learning about this active volcano, I didn't mind the clouds, as at least it wasn't erupting. Slightly lower than 3000 feet, the weather was much better at Multnomah Falls.

These boots and I.

Turns out, you can't swing a cat in Seattle without knocking over some Chihuly glass either. Thank goodness, because it is all awesome. Also, they have a wonderful market.

You cannot swing a cat in Tacoma without knocking over some Chihuly glass. On a side note, this is my 900th post!

I promised myself that I wouldn't post any more floral pictures this year, but I couldn't resist this rhododendron at the Point Defiance park in Tacoma, WA. A great first day of vacation. It's rainy and I love it.

Packing.

No, I didn't take this on the 13th, nor did I post it on the 13th, but it's here now.

Another flower! Tis the nature of May. Here's a wildflower called Hepatica for its supposed liver shaped leaf. Thanks so much to Sai and Anne for the help with the clovers. Cash and prizes must be collected in person.

Cash and prizes to who can name this plant and tell me why you would need so much of it.

Contents of a medic unit.

J and K on the eve of their 11th birthday.

Some impressive wisteria.

My struggling cucumbers.

A day of crafting.  It was sunny.  It was freezing.  I got travel advice, met some very nice people, and ate some delicious tacos. 

Readiness.

Some sweet road biking.

It's a train. But you knew that already.

It's that magical time of year again dear readers when I switch from (in the case of this year) not posting at all, to posting a picture a day whether you need it or not. As always I will make a faithful promise to post every day without fail without cheating and giving you a picture from the day before.  That said, I am going on vacation on the 15th, so there may be a delay.  But, there will be a picture for each day.  Even if it's posted a day late.   So, here's May day's pic for this year.