Friday, January 25, 2019

Ruston Way, #Tacoma - #SaturdaySnapshot

Last week I posted photos of the hiking group's outing to Tacoma's Puget Creek Natural Area (HERE). Today I'm sharing pictures of things we saw on the walk along Ruston Way, leading to the hike's trailhead.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

I found details about this bell online:
The Children’s Bell sculpture, which is located at 3800 Ruston Way, was a gift to Tacoma from “Washington Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE)” and other private donors in order to celebrate the life, spirit, and accomplishments of Washington PAVE Founder and Director Marty Gentili, who was born on May 28, 1942, and passed away on Feb. 28, 1993. The four-foot-tall bronze bell is decorated with children around the border and is meant to be rung and accessible by people with disabilities, according to Metro Parks Tacoma.


The Firefighters Memorial is located along Ruston Way, in front of the waterfront firehouse & fireboat station in Tacoma, WA. The memorial includes names of fallen local firefighters and a bronze statue of three firefighters, titled "Fully Involved" by sculptor Larry Perkins. Brick pavers are engraved with the names of donors that contributed to the building of the memorial.



This fantasy pterodactyl ("Sugar"), weighing 200 pounds, is part of a weather vane created by Mike Workman (and Janet Nix, painter). The entire weather vane is 28 feet tall, and the bird has an 11-foot wingspan.

Who fastened a Sears Tote-Cycle from the 1960s to this piling? Nobody knows.


Children at play, even on a wintry day. Mount Rainier on the horizon.


Walking back to the van with the snowcapped Olympic Mountains on the horizon.









Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at A Web of Stories.
To join in or view photos from around the world:
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 the 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. Please don't post random photos you find online. 

Jo's Monday Walk is hosted by Johanna at Restless Jo. Link up HERE.

Friday, January 18, 2019

First #Hike of 2019 - #SaturdaySnapshot


The Auburn Senior Activity Center's first hike of 2019 is described this way in the brochure:

PUGET PARK & RUSTON WAY
MILES: 6.5
RATE: 2


Hikers will begin their trip along Ruston Way. After walking along the waterfront hikers will detour through the Puget Ravine. This lollipop trail follows a restored stream that once powered a sawmill and now provides habitat for salmon. The trail is wooded and may be muddy. Wooden treads help provide good footing for the downhill portion of the trail. Returning along the waterfront, hikers will be able to lunch at one of several restaurants. After lunch hikers will explore the trail along the water side of Point Ruston then return to the van. Except for the ravine the trail is paved and level. The ravine trail has elevation gain. 

(FYI: "Lollipop" describes the shape of the hike. We walk down a trail, take a loop, and then go back the way we came.)

The morning started out chilly and overcast.
Before long we left the paved walkway and headed into the Puget Ravine.
A climb up a steep path took us to the bridge.
We crossed it and walked through this park...
... then headed back down to the ravine.

With all that up and down, my legs sure felt sore the next day!
Next Saturday I'll post photos of the sculpture and scenery we saw on our hike back along Ruston Way.







Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at A Web of Stories.
To join in or view photos from around the world:
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 the 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. Please don't post random photos you find online.