seattle pics

Monday, January 14, 2008

She Wouldn't Sell at Any Price

. . .and the developers of the multistory commercial space offered her a million! The 86 year old woman who has owned this older home in the working class Ballard neighborhood of Seattle since the 1960s was a lone hold out. I heard from a friend that the construction manager and the homeowner have struck up an odd friendship where he helps her carry in groceries and get to appointments, looking out for her. As the building grows taller her small lot seems nearly enveloped. For a few other views, please click on my More Seattle Stuff page.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Tacking In

Father and son about to finish their sail in the ship canal. They had a brisk wind and traveled swiftly in their self-made deep hulled little centerboard dinghy.The well trimmed sail was made ingeniously from the common building material used as a vapor barrier between siding and a house. I love to see economical sailors out messing about in their boats. This one was hauled out easily and placed in a self made carrier atop their family car. Seattle supposedly has the highest number of boats per capita of any city in the USA.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Rainy Night Airport

This is the sight that will greet you when you emerge from the airport after arriving. I find the SEATAC (Seattle-Tacoma) International Airport very easy to to use, straightforward and uncomplicated. It wasn't always so for me. The automated subway satellite train loops that are available to shuttle passengers between concourses used to confuse and unnerve me in my student days, but no more. The airport is full of artwork by local talents such as Ross Palmer Beecher, Dale Chihuly, Nancy Blum, and many others. There are even bronze salmon swimming along embedded in the terrazzo flooring.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Crab on Ice

He seems a bit grumpy about it, but Dungeness crab is quite popular on the west coast, and plentiful at good prices in Seattle's fresh fish markets right now. These cooked, ready to crack crabs were on display in the to-go counter of a waterfront seafood restaurant.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Really Nice Green Beans

Like the sign says, they were really nice green beans this guy was loading into a bag at a popular veggie outlet at Pike Place Market. It's been gray clouds, showers, wind and cold all week. . .real soup and stew weather. Walking the market is an improvisational cook's paradise and a real budget stretcher.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Peace Tower

I'd never come upon this layered view of Smith Tower before, and thought the waterfront building with the round "peace" window made an interesting foreground.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Waiting for the Public Restroom

Unlike yesterday's photo, there are no ornate pergolas sitting over the sites of Seattle's current sleek automated public restrooms, which are above ground in various locations about town. The line is short at this one on the Waterfront, despite crowds of tourists. These self-cleaning stainless steel facilities were installed in 2004. Lots of major cities have adopted them in the past decade. We attempted to gain entrance to a similar toilet at La Défense in Paris but couldn't get it to open, so I've yet to see what they look like inside.