#Seattle Stairs - #SaturdaySnapshots

Seattle is hilly. Back in the day, when people walked from place to place, staircases were built to help citizens navigate the hills. Recently, the Auburn Senior Activity Center hikers tackled some of these stairways in the city's Magnolia section. What a workout! My thighs and calves were sure sore afterwards.

The senior center brochure described our outing this way:

MAGNOLIA STAIRWAY HIKE

MILES: 5

RATING: 3

This hike offers spectacular views of the Seattle skyline, Puget Sound, and the Olympics. Historic stairways provide 327 steps down and 405 steps up. The route winds through a variety of neighborhoods from high end custom view homes to post WWII housing. The longest flights of stairs connect Perkins Lane, site of destructive landslides, to Magnolia Blvd. After completing the entire hike we will have the opportunity to dine in one of the many Magnolia Village restaurants.

Here's a sample of the ups and downs we experienced on this cool, overcast day, as well as views along the way.

Some of the stairs led us to beautiful neighborhoods. 

I stopped to catch my breath after
climbing this. Whew!

Seattle Skyline

Some of the stairways are cloaked
in foliage.

It's always fun to come across a little free mailbox.

Cruise ships. Sailing for Alaska?

You'll find an interactive map of Seattle's stairways HERE.
Several books about Seattle's stairways have been published, too: 

Seattle Stairway Walks

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

To participate: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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Olympic Sculpture Park, #Seattle - #SaturdaySnapshots

This past Tuesday I went on a lovely walk through the Olympic Sculpture Park on the Seattle waterfront. The site was a former fuel storage and transfer facility, and clean-up of the contamination began in the 1990s. The sculpture park opened in January, 2007, and is part of the Seattle Art Museum. It overlooks Elliot Bay of Puget Sound. 

The nine-acre park is adjacent to Myrtle Edwards Park and Elliott Bay Park, which our group also enjoyed. The parks are free and open to the public. Here's a sample of what I saw:

"Split" by Roxy Paine, 2003

"The Eagle" by Alexander Calder, 1971
Olympic Mountains in the background.

Cyclists, joggers, families, school groups -- all enjoying a beautiful day

Clever bench design. I don't know the artist's name.

"Perre's Ventaglio III" by Beverly Pepper, 1967

"Schubert Sonata" by Mark di Suvero, 1992
This kinetic sculpture moves in the breeze. 

"Echo" by Jaume Plensa

"Father and Son" by Louise Bourgeois, 2004-2006

An inviting rose garden, too.

More info: Seattle Art Museum Map and Guide

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

To participate: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, WA - #SaturdaySnapshots

Called "The Gateway to the San Juans," Friday Harbor is one of those places I've been wanting to visit ever since we moved to Washington State. This past week that finally happened. We traveled with a group from Auburn to Anacortes, Washington, via bus and then walked onto the ferry and sailed to Friday Harbor. Here are a few photos of this charming town.

The town of Friday Harbor, viewed from the ferry dock.
San Juan Island boasts a population of just over 2,000 people.

We had limited time on the island (day trip), so we had to set some priorities. First thing: visit San Juan Vineyards! We hired a taxi and headed for this charming winery out in the countryside, about 10 minutes from the ferry dock.

The tasting room used to be a schoolhouse, built in 1895
and beautifully remodeled. 

The vineyard's previous owners built this chapel,
but it looks like it's always been there.

This small winery offers only four selections (fruity white wines) and they can only be purchased on the island. We tasted them all and brought home four bottles. 

I'm enjoying a glass of Siegerrebe
and a little sunshine.

After our wine tasting, we taxied back to town, had lunch, and ate an ice cream cone before boarding the ferry for our return trip.

Views from the ferry ride. The day started out overcast but slowly cleared and turned into a beautiful afternoon.

I'd like to come back again and spend a few days at a B&B, take a whale watching excursion, explore the town's many museums, and sample its restaurants. One afternoon definitely wasn't enough.

More info:
San Juan Vineyards Website
San Juan Islands / Friday Harbor Info
Rhode Trips Taxi & Tours Website

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads. 

To participate: 

Post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on West Metro Mommy Read's website (link: HERE) Photos can be old or new and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don't post random photos that you find online.

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