Mother and Daughter Day

Today, Karen and I went to the International District in Seattle...just the two of us!  On the bus, of course!

We spent a great portion of the day at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience.  There was so much to see there.  We even went on a guided tour into the old buildings of Chinatown.

When our legs were just too tired, we sat down and attempted some origami.  I used the book for children and still struggled with this level one cat face.  Karen is a lot better at this; she created the crane.

Here are some on display at the museum... Slightly more intricate than ours.

We also went to the Amtrak station to check out the trains and to help me dream about a future trip to Seattle by train.

The old Union Station was beautiful with the old long benches and high arches.  The current station, King Street Station, is being restored as well.

And in the Union Station, we saw a photo exhibit of very old trains taken at the train museum in Snoqualmie. We're heading there tomorrow!

A Visit to School

Today I got to visit Katelyn at daycare (but she calls it school.)  I took the bus and got there around 10 am.  They were just finishing playing and were beginning to get ready to go outside for a walk when I arrived.

Two teachers and 8 children between the ages of 2 and 3 and I all went to the asphalt factory to see the big diggers at work.  It was grand.  The kids were so good about holding onto a large rope and walking together.  The front end loader was filling a large dump truck and then a small pickup.  The kids just squealed when the digger started beeping as it backed up.

We walked back, had a snack, and they asked for music.  Teacher Trudy took out her flute and they all danced and sang and played instruments.

Then I got to share a book with anyone who would sit still for a few minutes.  Soon it was time for lunch and time for me to leave.  A great way to spend a couple more hours than usual with Katelyn!

Home is North

On the road again today and with much better bus results.  Now that I know "home is north," I am faring much better.  Doesn't hurt that I'm becoming more familiar with the bus routes too.  Still, I haven't met a driver or passenger that hasn't been very helpful and pleasant.

First, to the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture on the University of Washington campus.  I was met at the front door by the Wild Woman of the Woods, Dzunuk'wa who was carved around 1912 by the Kwakwaka'wakw people of what is now British Columbia.  She is said to be a fearsome mythical creature who can be the source of great wealth. Welcome!

This grinning alligator/shark/whale caught my fancy.

Inside there were dinosaur bones and eggs, a detailed history of this region of Washington State from times when half of it was still ocean, and a description of how the Cascade Mountains came to be.  I saw petrified Western Red Cedar and fossils of it as well that dated back 50 million years ago!

There was also a wonderful exhibit on Native Peoples of many backgrounds, but no pictures were allowed.

So on to the Henry Art Gallery also on the U of W campus.  These ceramic bears were so whimsical!

And I loved these watercolor drawings by Helmi Juvonen done in the late 1950's.  She used many different mediums, but I liked these best.

There were many multimedia displays as well, but again, no pictures allowed.  So on to the third museum:  The Frye Art Museum about 20 minutes away...by bus, of course.

This large piece was made of laminated wood.  Just gorgeous in material and lines.

Again there were many multimedia displays. This one was made by a projector light pointed toward a CD disk that was spinning on a tilted angle.  It created this "UFO" on the wall that would float and fly in many directions.

All the museums were delightful.  And I am so grateful for some unmeasured time to just be with the art and take it in.  And then head north by bus to home.

Into the City - Alone!

Subtitle:  "I once was lost, but now am found..."

Today, Karen and Todd went to work, Katelyn went to school  and I took a bus adventure into the city, as Katelyn would say, "All by myself!"

A bumpy ride

I took the 75 to the hub, but should have gone to the transfer station.  Then took the 70, but should have taken the 49, so had to transfer to the 10 which was 2 blocks away, but I walked the wrong way so it was 6 blocks (2 the wrong way, 2 back to point A, then 2 in the right direction!)  But check out the results...

The Cascades

Mt. Rainier

These were taken from the old water tower in Volunteer Park.  Then I discovered the conservatory.

Pitcher plants

These are so bizarre as to look unreal: maybe human made with plastic.

Then on to the arboretum.  Really, really tall!

Ponderosa Pine

This one has baffled me since I arrived here.  Obviously a White Birch, yet not a paper birch.  It's an European White Birch.

European White Birch

Yet the best at the arboretum was the ducks.  They were very friendly and seemed to like coming close to have their pictures taken.

And they had quite a bit to say as well...

Then it was time to head home.  Bus 43 in the wrong direction for a mile, then off the bus, cross the street, and get on the 43 in the right direction.  Get off to transfer at the wrong place and walk in circles at U of W for 20 minutes.  Then on to the 75 and home without incident.  I think the buses will get easier with a little practice.  I'm just grateful that there are buses ('cause I sure couldn't walk or bicycle it all) and lots of helpful people to keep pointing me in the right direction...repeatedly.  :-)

Into the City - Together!

Katelyn has been asking for days if it was a school day, so even though Karen and Todd took the day off to play in the city with me, Katelyn went into the city to school!

Then the three of us went to breakfast at a vegetarian spot called Silence-Heart-Nest.  It was wonderful food and atmosphere.  They had little cards to choose and ponder. These were some of my favorites.

Next, to the Center of the Universe!  Didn't know that was in Seattle. :-)

The Fremont Bridge Troll.  Big, huh?

The Space Needle. This was an important visit for me.  I really remember seeing pictures of  the 1962 World's Fair in Seattle, and I was so impressed with the Space Needle and the monorail.  On the year of its 50th anniversary, I get to see it for the first time in person! And I rode the monorail, too.

Then to the outside sculptures.

The Eagle by A. Calder

Watched some cheese making...

and hugged the pig at the Pike Place Fish Market.

And last but not least, we went to the Theo Chocolate Factory: organic, fair trade, delicious!

A cocoa pod

Cocoa beans

The tallest green vat had over 3 tons of liquid chocolate in it!  I was high on just the smell.

Once we were well wired on chocolate samples, we went to pick up Katelyn from daycare.  I got to meet her teacher and play a while with Katelyn and friends with clay.

An excellent day!  I am grateful to be here and have time with my family and some new experiences.