Olympic National Park

ONP for short is huge. It fills the majority of the land mass of the peninsula. Only a portion of it is accessible by car. The rest of it you have to get out and explore on foot or simply leave to the animals. Today after finishing up a few quick things at the office I drove west out of town on Hwy 101 headed for Lake Cresent and an ONP trail head.

I found myself here.

Here appears to be about 20 miles away from home!

The drive didn't take long. I guess because there was a lot of eye candy to focus on.

This is where I was headed, Marymere Falls. Today was another warm, beautiful day. A perfect day for this nice, easy hike.

Check out that sun through the trees!!

No matter how many times I cross the creek on this little bridge made out of a tree I still love it. Doesn't this just look other worldly? There are days where I'm amazed I live here. Will I ever get used to the beauty? I really hope not.

And we have arrived. The first glimpse the falls.

Marymere Falls in all her glory

By Request

A look through my lens at Port Angeles. This evening was perfect for a walk along the waterfront and then south through downtown. As requested by a friend who has only read about Port Angeles in the books by Stephenie Meyer, here is Port Angeles. Well at least some of it.

Murals along the waterfront

Taken from the city pier looking towards Hurricane Ridge. The mountains really do meet the sea here.


Each year there is a festival called "Art on the Town" and new pieces of outdoor art are placed on the sidewalks throughout the town. Each year money is raised to purchase a favorite from the artist so it can be kept for the town to continue to enjoy.

The MV Coho. The only car ferry that will take you directly from the US to Canada. It is the best way to enjoy the charming city of Victoria even if you are visiting Seattle.


This one of my favorite murals in downtown. It shows the MV Kalakala ferry, an art deco ferry built in 1935.

Port Book and News - The best place in town to find books for grown ups. They carry new and used books. I have another store in town were I head if I'm looking for a book for the under 12 crowd. Port Book and News also has a great selection of magazines, local guide books, and cards. I don't think I could live in this town without this store.

Now for a bit of Twilight's Port Angeles

The Lincoln Theater - This is where Bella goes to the movies in the books.

Bella Italia - The site of Bella and Edwards first date I suppose you could say. Great food. If you visit don't just go because it was in the books. Go because the food is great. When my friends visit from all over the country this is the place they want to go unless they are from a place that is devoid of good Mexican food. Then they want to go eat at my friends restaurant.

I just love Sunday!

Today was just about perfect. The sun was out and the air felt warm even though it was only about 50 here today. Service at church was uplifting and really focused towards the wonder of Easter. Yes there is a bit of pain ahead of us as we remember Good Friday, however today none of us dewelled on that. There will be time enough for that on Good Friday and during Holy Week.
Today was filled with life, sunshine and creativity. What a day! Here is some of it in photos to share with you. How I wish you could have been here in person.

The sun shining though the windows today at church was picture perfect. After the lights were off I snapped a couple of photos.

Then I drove up into the mountains. I couldn't go all the way. My car doesn't have the right tires to go all the way up into the snow, but I was able to go up far enough to really enjoy the day and the view.

Music and Memories

One of my favorite Texas bands will be playing in May out here in the lovely Pacific Northwest. I couldn't be happier about Jackopierce's visit to Seattle. This has me listening to not only their newest CD, Promise of Summer, but their older ones from my days back in Dallas and San Angelo. Listening to all this old music has me digging though some old memories and loving it! Ahh, memory lane. I've updated my playlist for the blog with some older music mixed in. Check out a newer song on the playlist that makes me think of my college days in West Texas at a small college in San Angelo. It is song #2 on the playlist at the bottom of the page called Great Divide by Jack Ingram. It mentions a small town called Cisco which I drove through on I-20 going back and forth between home and school. Cisco is also famous, or at least it should be, as the site of the very first Hilton Hotel. This is the small town were Conrad Hilton bought his first property in 1919. http://www.lone-star.net/mall/txtrails/cisco.htm That would be your almost unneeded trivia fact for the day, but don't you just feel smarter now that I shared it? I knew you would!

Please let the warm days come

Spring brings with it lovely flowers that I enjoy, however most of all it brings sun. Warm sun that lets getting out near the water feel good and sights like the one in this photo possible. The tide pools at one of our local county parks, Salt Creek, are just full of colorful life. On a sunny warm day in the spring there is almost nothing better than a day spent out at the tide pools.

Seattle's True Icon

Built for the 1962 World's Fair, The Space Needle. I won't even admit to how many photos I have of this icon in my collection. You can't drag it out of me! Well maybe you could get it out of me for the new Quickutz Silhouette SD. I enjoy finding new vantange points to capture The Needle from when I'm in the area. Here is what I got while at the EMP. When you visit Seattle you must go up to the top, the view is amazing at night and there are no words to describe it on a clear day with the Cascade mountains as well as the Olympic mountains visable.

New Seattle Icon

About a decade ago the EMP, Experience Music Project, came onto the scene in Seattle. It has become an icon not only for what is inside its doors but for its exterior design. It is a building that comes alive almost as you move around it.

When the sun came out later you could appreciate the architecture even more.






In only a few areas are you allowed to take photos inside the EMP. Here are some photos from those areas.

The Roots and Branches Sculpture - it is two stories and all of the galleries and exhibits are located off of it. It is sort of the center of things.

The Sky Church - Live music is played a lot here. During the day they have a light show with music going all the time. It is just nice to sit and enjoy.

On our visit I fell in love with Prints/Ads/Posters featured in the Hatch Show from the Smithsonian. Hatch press started in 1879 carving wood blocks to make ads and posters for companies and concerts. (They still do it the same way today) The combination of history, color and design just had me giddy. It was my favorite part of the EMP this visit. How I wish I could show you more, but that was an area where photographs aren't allowed.

Tiramisu

Just in case you haven't seen Sleepless in Seattle or if it has been years the scene starts at 6:33 in the clip below. This movie is adorable.

Iconic Seattle

Pike Place Market - This is what I think of when my thoughts drift to Seattle. It is one of my favorite places to wonder around. I've found though that most people are in such a rush to see it, that they miss most of it. The market if full of colors, smells, and more than just the first floor. I beg you, take more than a moment. Oh please, see more than the famous Pig!

If you have seen Sleepless in Seattle, this is where Tom Hanks and Rob Reiner eat while discussing dating and Tiramisu. I know it for my favorite clam strips!

Love the Web

I posted about my hunt for new music yesterday and a site a I enjoy IndieHeart. One of my favorite songs is "Dreamin' Of" by Carly and Mark. Mark, and I'm not sure how, found this entry of mine, commenting that they had new songs at their website. They have some great new songs and a new album. Connecting people so quickly for something as enjoyable as new music is why I love the web! Well that and staying in touch with all of my friends.

Enjoy this song from Carly and Mark that I found posted by them on youtube.