Age is Just a Number

Escape election drama with Age is Just a Number, the latest release from Chicken Soup for the Soul. "Happy When I'm Hiking" (my story) is on page 164.

The book will be available in both paperback and ebook formats on Tuesday, November 3rd. You can pre-order your copy here:

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084G9MW4M

Barnes & Noble link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../chicken.../1137364542

If you enjoy spirit-lifting stories, then "101 Tales of Humor & Wisdom for Life After 60" is a book you'll like.

Fleurs de Villes at the Northwest Flower & Garden Festival - #Seattle

Have you ever seen a dress made completely out of plants and flowers? The recent garden show featured these gorgeous "flowers of the cities" creations by Seattle florists. They remind me of Rose Bowl Parade floats but with mannequins! (Click on photos for a closer look.)

I hope you enjoyed the floral fashion show!

More info: Fleurs de Ville

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

2020 Northwest Flower & Garden Show - #Seattle

Every year the Washington State Convention Center in downtown Seattle is the site of a magnificent flower and garden show. For the past four years the show's exhibits have sparked my imagination. "Hill Top Farm" by Christianson's Nursery & Greenhouse was one of my favorite displays from February 27, 2020.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

The online description says:
The two-time “Best in Show” winner Christianson’s Nursery takes you to a farmhouse garden in the English countryside with this floral and fragrant display. As seasoned veterans in restoring buildings and greenhouses at their home base in Mount Vernon, Washington, it’s clear their expertise carries over to this garden. Spot the antique tools and lighting that harkens back to the 1920’s, which might make you feel like you’re in the middle of an orchard taking a breath of fresh air. Using perennials and plants adaptive to the Pacific Northwest, this garden features vegetables, peonies, lilacs, iris, rhododendron and azaleas, among other plants surrounding the farmhouse facade.

A chicken coop, complete with two real birds, added to the realistic design of this full-sized facade.

Many displays included labels that identified the plants. Dry ice in this water feature added a little drama to this scene.

I'd love to enjoy the soothing sound of this waterfall in my own back yard. This display was called "The Gateway to Your Getaway."

If I had this pool in my backyard, I'd never leave it.

A little whimsy!

I'll feature more garden show photos soon. In the meantime, here's the link for more info:
2020 Northwest Flower & Garden Show

If you're interested in photos from last year's show, link HERE and HERE.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

#Chinatown-International District - #Seattle

When the Auburn Senior Activity Center offered an excursion to Seattle's International District, I signed up. Here are some photos from our walking tour of that neighborhood. (Click on photos for a closer look.)

Welcome to Chinatown!

We started our exploration at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. Exhibits include photos and more, showing the history and influence of Asian cultures in Seattle. Decorations celebrating the Chinese New Year brightened the museum's walls and ceiling.

The intricate embroidery fascinated me.

I was surprised to see street signs in both English and Chinese as we began our walking tour.

"Benevolent associations" were formed by ethnic groups to help immigrants find housing, employment, etc. This building houses the Bing Kung Association.

More sights discovered during our walk.

Just imagine: rooms for 50¢, 70¢, and up with both hot and cold water.

Our tour of the International District was a delight. I learned a lot about the area's history--both happy and sad--and would enjoy another visit. If you're interested in more information, look here:

Wing Luke Museum of Asian Pacific American Experience

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

#Hiking - Tacoma's Ruston Way

I haven't been hiking lately, but on January 2nd, I signed up for all the walks and hikes offered by the Auburn Senior Activity Center for the coming three months. Our first hike of 2020 was along Tacoma's Ruston Way, overlooking Commencement Bay.

The in-and-out route included exploring the new pedestrian bridge and slides near the Point Defiance ferry terminal and some of the Frank Herbert Park. (More about the slides below.) We'd originally planned to walk through the wooded Puget Ravine as well, but recent heavy rains made that option slippery and muddy -- unsafe for our group. The day's cold, drizzly weather didn't keep us home, however!

There are two options for getting from the bridge to the shore. Stairs or a series of slides. Only one member of our group chose the slides.

When he landed on his tailbone with a thump, the rest of us decided we'd pass on that experience! I'm guessing the slides would be more fun (and more crowded) on a sunny day.

We split up for lunch at various Ruston Point restaurants, then walked back to the van for a total trek of 6.75 miles.

Not bad for a bunch of seniors!

More info:

Tacoma's Ruston Point Restaurants
Tacoma's Ruston Point Park & Slides (and a little history)

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Naches Peak Loop / Tipsoo Lake, Mount Rainier National Park

Each day hiking brings a new perspective. The last time I explored the Naches Peak Loop at Mount Rainier National Park, the day was sunny. Mount Rainier filled the horizon. On a recent visit, however, clouds shrouded the peak and it stayed hidden all day. The good news is that wildflowers lined the trail. On this hike my gaze focused on the beauty of the blooms and the path ahead.
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

We walked over the Chinook Pass bridge. Wikipedia says: The Chinook Pass Entrance Arch marks the east entrance to Mount Rainier National Park. The rectangular log entry arch ... is one of several placed at the entrances to the park. It was designed in 1933 by the National Park Service Branch of Plans and Designs, and was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The arch consists of two stone abutments carrying horizontal logs over the road. The arch functions as a bridge, carrying a horse trail, which is now part of the Pacific Crest Trail.

Into the mist, surrounded by wildflowers, evergreens, and rocks.

Beautiful alpine lake. Mount Rainier usually dominates the background, but not on this day.

To see this same hike on a sunny day, take a look at my blog post from three years ago: HERE.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE 

Flowers, Berries, and More

When hiking or walking in the woods, it's fun to slow down and look at what's blooming on the side of the trail. Here's what I saw at Federation Forest State Park, Washington State, this past week. Sorry I can't identify all the plants. (Click on photos to enlarge.)

The trails were wide and easy for the
walking group to traverse.

These tiny white flowers brightened the path.

Foxgloves bloomed near the visitors' center and all along the highway

These unusual plants go by several names:
Indian pipe, ghost plant, or corpse plant.
They were between 4 and 6 inches tall.

These berries glowed like rubies in the shade
beneath the tall trees.

We saw quite a few mushrooms and toadstools.

Thistle

Cedar (left) and Douglas fir (right)

View from our picnic spot along the White River.
The river gets its milky color from glacial run-off from Mt. Rainier.

I'm linked with:

Jo's Monday Walk -  Johanna at Restless Jo - Link HERE

Our World Tuesday - Link HERE

Saturday Snapshot - Melinda at A Web of Stories - Link HERE