December 2019 A Little Seattle, A Little Texas

December 2019 A Little Seattle, A Little Texas

WE had some of that Very Cold Yukon air the days just before Thanksgiving. I was sure winter had started and we would be dressing in our smart wool underwear for the next three months. But all of the Lows, after that initial blast of cold air came, from the South Pacific and instead of having the cold North winds we had the relatively warm Southwest winds out of the Pacific. Don't even think about wearing smart wool unless the temps are less than 45 degrees or else you will be sweating! Why sweat when the temps are just cool? So high's in the lower 50's in the day and lower 40's at night are the norm for the SW winds. The Big Red Blob has shown up again off the Washington coast and is seen as being responsible for our unusual weather. And as you will see from the following we had enough sun to keep the natives happy. See: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/weather/warm-blob-in-nw-weird-us-weather-linked-to-ocean-temps/

Sun and the City

If you are into Christmas trees then you make sure to visit the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Seattle.

Pacific Northwester's do all the Holiday's big time. We realized this when we stopped into a new Michael's to get some craft stuff for Big D for Halloween, but all the Halloween stuff was gone, just a small Sale rack was all that was left, and the rest of the store already had Christmas stuff which was going like Hotcakes. The Admiral and I have discussed this PNW phenomenon  several times and finally decided that is has to do with the fact that they have actual seasons here and hence the Holidays have a much greater significance. 

It is hard to understand how big this tree is just by this picture, the space around it is Huge so is the tree.

And then they have several dozen of trees contributed and decorated by the many Seattle business's to auction off for a local hospital Charity.

So many new buildings downtown, this building was not complete the last time we were on this street so the entire downtown corridor has changed incredibly in the 6 years we have lived here

Bell Harbor is a marina located in the center of the waterfront district. Every time we walk by,  there is an interesting vessel that immediately catches my attention I'm sure "Northern Sage" has an interesting story.

December and no clouds?

Another ferry ride over to Bainbridge Island for the day.

Elliot Bay also offers regular sightings of unusual vessels and activity.
This barge/crane is relatively deep water doing some type of underwater excavation for what reason?.

High Tide in this small bay inside of Point Monroe at Mansfield Bay

Well this is the longest log i have ever seen washed up on a local beach. Not unusual to see whole trees wasjhed down the rivers on the coast.

Not wanting to find one of these floating around as we sail these waters.

I took three pictures of this tree encourage vigilant stand watching.

So a tree like one of these fell in a windstorm and was washed down a river into the Sound. Being on the water during the winter months requires a bit more vigilance since that is when the rivers flood and empty the recent fallen trees into the Salish Sea. 

Big D practicing his Board Room Inspirational Leadership Skills.

Clara found a perfect place to sing her favorite songs.

This walkway leads to the Seattle Pacific Northwest Ballet. The shiny streamers blowing in the wind made a very cool Christmas welcome.

Note to my crafty friends, These Christmas hanging baskets were selling for $50-80!

Tranquility Park, Bainbridge Island

Always a walk at Fort Ward

The return ferry ride to Seattle finds these Pastel sunset skies.

The Seattle skyline has many new shapes.

A New Years Day Walk along the water front. I see these type of bulk carriers usually over near the West Seattle Pensula, I always thought they were Loading gravel, nope, they are offloading!
See: https://youtu.be/UDuSINhi8Hc

You can see the little blue boat headed to the Green ship which is the bulk carrier pictured above. The little blue boat is the Swift Arrow that brings an Port inspector to process documents with the ships Captain.

The Port of Seattle has two of this type of vessels and they are very busy receiving all the ships that anchor in Elliot Bay.

Still building the new Seattle sky line.

SEATAC at Christmas week. They want to send everyone off with a cheer.

Santa and his Elf giving the kids one more thrill before flying off to Grandmas'

Blue Skies in Austin Too, but much warmer.

The West side of Fort Worth, TX is becoming a bit more tolerant.

Liv's new business venture.

The newest Family member, no name as yet for this little long haired Chihuahua that is being lovely cared for by Liv. 

Back yards in Texas where you can make a pond and a dam.

Plenty of Tacodeli to go around!

Forget the Tacos!

I had to take a Picture with Texas neighbor Andrew, 15 years old, Yes everything is bigger in Texas.

I could not believe my eyes, a group of college kids were playing the Harry Potter game Quidditch. Thankfully Russell was there to identify the Game for me, we walked over to watch and Big D invited himself into the play. Those college kids were extremely accommodating to the 5 year old who knew all the rules and how to play!  See: https://youtu.be/wMygFLQMqe4

The game is Quidditch and it is played with three Bludgers, one Quaffle and a Golden Snitch. Bludgers are used to target and hit a player and if the player falls off his broom he/she is out of the game. Quaffles are made to pass through hoops to score points but the Golden Snitch is most important, the game gets over only when the seeker of a team catches the snitch.

Graeme, Kendra, Lynn, Ella, Liv, Lia, Clara, Russell
Drew and Zack!
It takes a CREW!

and more than one picture to capture. We were missing Brother Dave, Nephew Josh, and Grand Niece & Nephew Lux, and Luna.

Who let the Cats Out? all five of them, Ezera was very accommodating to two cat lovers, the other four had their limits.

A goodbye Austin for now walk before jumping on the New Years plane back to Seattle.

THIS Just IN!!~ Meet COCO!