"First There Is a Mountain. . .

. . .then there is no mountain, then there is. " ~Donovan

Mount Rainier absolutely dominates the Seattle landscape, looming large in the skyline when its view is unobscured by rain clouds, summer haze, or the shroud of its own mists. Some visitors to Seattle don't even get a glimpse of it during their stay in the city. It has a habit of playing "peek a boo." On clear winter days when the air is pristine, the mountain's image is sharp and huge against the blue sky. On clear summer days a haze can minimize it. When I was driving in the University district at sunset one afternoon this week I noticed a clearer view than I had seen in days and snapped this shot for you from a freeway overpass. When you visit Seattle, be sure to include a visit to the mountain and the spectacular Mount Rainier National Park in your plans. Mount Rainier is in the Cascade Range and is an episodically active volcano. Unlike its southern neighbor, Mount St. Helens, it has not had any eruptions since the 1840s, and before that it is thought not to have had any for 1000 years.

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Bruce Cockburn at the Moore Theatre

I had a lovely evening out at the Moore Theatre (corner of 2nd & Virginia), which hosted Canadian performing songwriter Bruce Cockburn and opener Sarah Harmer and their bands in concert. Bruce is a musician of immense talent and great heart, noted as a virtuoso guitarist, poetic lyricist, and a world traveler who regularly incorporates reportage, social concern, and spiritual longing into his art. He has toured the world over. Perhaps you've heard him in concert where you live. His live shows are fantastic. I've been very fortunate to live on the US west coast where Bruce tours regularly, but this was my first time hearing him play this 1400 seat venue which has, I'm glad to report, a great sound system. The house was full and the audience very receptive and appreciative. I got to visit a bit with fellow longtime Cockburn fan Daniel Keebler who is ranger at Mt. Rainier National Park . He has published Gavin's Woodpile, the Bruce Cockburn Newsletter, for many years. Sarah Harmer has a superb voice, and is an excellent songwriter and performer. She came out during Bruce's set to add gorgeous harmonies to "Waiting For a Miracle," a Cockburn song Jerry Garcia once covered. Her current self-penned repertoire is featuring roots and alt country style sounds. With that voice, though, she could sing in nearly any style. She was supported by a great band featuring a guitarist/mandolinist, a stand-up bass player, and a keyboardist/vocalist. Bruce's set featured excellent drummer Gary Craig and keyboardist/vocalist Julie Wolf (who I'm familiar with from the SF Bay Area and her tours with Ani DiFranco's band, but who studied at Cornish here in Seattle and worked in the jazz scene here for many years). I very much enjoyed both artist's sets.

Someone affiliated with the venue mentioned to me that when the Moore Theatre was built in 1907 it had separate entrances and seating for "colored" and "white" people. No trace of those segregated days is left except a stair/corridor that kind of goes nowhere. All has been remodeled a couple of times, leaving intact the theater's interior ornamental charms while providing comfortable seating and great sound.

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Lewis & Clark

Last year there were Lewis and Clark expedition bicentennial celebrations and museum exhibits in Washington and Oregon. This huge lighted sign must have served its purpose and ended up in a junk yard I pass frequently. I often wonder what lies ahead where they are pointing. On my darker days this scene sometimes seems like a metaphor for the impending outcomes of the American experiment. But, enough of that. . .Quick, can you name all the (then future) US states the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through?

Seattle Daily Photo would like to welcome the newest members to the City Daily Photo family (now exceeding 140 members) and invites you to check them out by clicking on their links in the list below to the right: Santiago CHILE, Kyle TEXAS, Vantaa FINLAND, and a third Washinton DC photo blogger, John, who joins Jenni and Pasante in covering the city whose license plates read "Taxation Without Representation."

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Coming In For a Landing

I was enjoying the beauty of the veggies and flowers at the P-Patch (yesterday's photo) when this little visitor zoomed into the frame. I had no idea until I looked at the photo that some types of bees have curved nose-like probosci ? or whatever it is termed. Its little face looks like something an animator would dream up. Not a great photo (I didn't have the camera on stop action) but I loved the little guy's energy! For fun, click on the photo to enlarge or here for a much closer look. It reminded me that Seattle has a very active and dedicated beekeeping community. Many folks keep hives in their backyards to aid in urban gardening and have a source of organic honey. I know nada de particular about bees, but you can find out a little something interesting about Seattle's bees and beekeepers here.

P-Patch Community Gardens

There is no place quite as beautiful as a garden in Seattle in high summer. I was enjoying feasting my eyes on the abundance of flowers, veggies, and fruit in one of the 44 P-Patch community gardens that can be found throughout Seattle. They are amazing places where neighbors use city land in common to raise food and make lovely places of flowery sanctuary for those with no room to garden at home. Food raised in these gardens is donated to Seattle's food banks, supplying much needed fresh, organic veggies. This lovely tile mural, complete with cups and saucers, adorns a wall by the garden shed at the East Lake P-Patch.

Bon Voyage

Almost 200 huge cruise ships to Alaska come into port here each year. I took this photo at the Terminal 30 cruise facility which is at the southern end of Seattle's waterfront, just past the sports stadiums, near the container loading facilities for commercial freighters. That taxi nearly ran me down, he was in such a rush. There were two enormous ships docked here (click here to see the other). There is also a cruise ship terminal at Pier 66 at the foot of Bell Street in the very heart of the downtown Seattle waterfront. When a cruise ship ties up there, it absolutely towers into the skyline like another high rise building. Sales clerks at the Pine Street Nordstrom have told me they know exactly when the ships come into port and are prepared for the influx of shoppers at those times. If you click on this photo to enlarge it, you can wave to the passengers looking out from their cabin balconies. Wishing everyone lovely summer holidays!

Rowing

Rowing is a very popular activity on Seattle's waterways. I took this early morning shot from the dock of the Pocock Rowing Club.

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