seattle pics

Friday, August 8, 2008

Point Through the Arch

It's 08-08-08 and this is the view through the railroad bridge arch from Commodore Park in the Magnolia neighborhood on a fine summer day in Seattle. The point of land visible is at the mouth of Salmon Bay inlet where boats can enter the ship canal from Puget Sound and venture through the nearby locks and on to Lakes Union and Washington. I've shown you this amazing draw bridge in the down position at sunset with a train rumbling along. To see it up, visit my More Seattle Stuff page.

Update 8-12: Thanks to Seattle Guide Greg for adding this information in the comments:
Built by the Great Northern and known to BNSF and rail buffs as Bridge Number 4. Cost was more than 1 million dollars to build. The 500 ton concrete counterweight is used to lift the 200 foot Bascule span. The counterweight has space inside so old rails used as additional weight in the winter to counter the absorption of rain by the ties. In the summer months the weights are removed.
Other than a major upgrade in 1992 that replace the old hand levers and footpedals, wiring and gears and signals(that cost more than the bridge itself did) it remains largely unchanged.
At more than 95 years old, it still averages more than 30 trains a day, or more than 250 lifts a month.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Out On The Town

A summer evening out in downtown Seattle is reflected in a building's glass facade. Warm breezes, good company, and the bustle of life in motion.

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Did You Bring Your Bags?

Like many cities in the USA, Seattle has been trying to reduce refuse and waste of natural resources through its commercial and residential recycling programs. This summer's hot topics have been more proactive, such as avoiding bottled water in favor of using drinking fountains and bringing one's own cloth grocery bags for marketing. Proposed for next year is a small fee per bag charge for a store's paper or plastic. Tell me this: why do I keep forgetting my bags at home like this woman? ;^).

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Freeway Close

These guys have a survivalist system that seems to work for them, camped in a rather idyllic little meadow surrounded by freeway on and off ramps and a chain link fence in the Northgate area. They stow their back packs near the tree and use the running water at the gas station across the off ramp for drinking and cleaning up. I've seen the police roust people in this area before, but it's usually occupied.

Monday, August 4, 2008

Blue TV Screen Light

As we were leaving a friend's place, the differing types of light from the windows of a neighboring home caught my eye and made me think of a Joni Mitchell lyric from "A Case of You." Just had to grab the camera and snap it.

Sunday, August 3, 2008

Cascade View

The lighted symbol of Seattle at 45 has only about a half life of the light industry brick building pictured on this summer evening.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

All Biodiesel All The Time

Can you imagine a large fuel station with a prime location at a busy intersection not far from freeway on ramps that would dare to sell only biodiesel? That is exactly what opened just a month ago at the corner of Westlake Avenue and Valley Street. Rather than the customary colorful flowers in pots and landscaping one sees at some gas stations, it looked to me like this one is adorned with raised garden beds of green veggies! Propel is a Seattle-based company and has made a major investment in opening this unique station in the rapidly transforming South Lake Union area. For another pic, see my More Seattle Stuff page.