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 

#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 

#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