Writing With a Texas Twang

Monday, February 17, 2020

#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

Monday, February 3, 2020

#Coffee for Soggiest January in #Seattle

The Seattle Times headline said: "It's been one of the soggiest Januarys ever in Seattle--and more is on the way." Twenty-eight straight days of rain! How do we cope? One word: Coffee.

Drive-thru coffee stands like this one dot major streets in western Washington state.

Most of them have more personality that the one above, however... like Cowgirls Cup.

With its spout, Perky's is supposed to resemble a coffee pot.

Gravity Coffee, across the street from the fairgrounds in Puyallup, has a Pacific Northwest vibe.

This pink coffee hut is a bright spot on a dreary day.

Southern Charm Espresso draws in customers by offering a "Rusty Cowboy." Based on the condition of the pickup truck, it looks like they've reached their target consumer.

Castle Perk's regal structure surely appeals to a higher class coffee enthusiast.

With locations everywhere, there's always a Starbucks nearby.

These are just some of the Starbucks locations in King County, Washington.

To see more photos of coffee kiosks (taken on sunny days), visit my earlier blog posts:
Coffee + Pacific Northwest
More Coffee, Please

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

Monday, January 13, 2020

#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.