New Years Eve Onward to 2019

New Years Eve Onward to 2019 

Anticipation of the New Year ALWAYS brings optimism and renewal for a better world. Looking forward to new learning opportunities and better human solutions to age old concerns. Texans can't go forward without gulping down some black eyed peas for good luck and staying up till at least 1:00 am to welcome in the promising New Year. However, as we get within hours of 2019 I would say the mood in Seattle is guarded optimism at best.
The Admiral's intuition and sensitivity to all things leads us away from the city for New Years Eve to a very easy escape just a 30 minute ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. We already know where the best spots are that are absolutely free and provide  all the Pacific Northwest environment that we want to enjoy on a leisurely day. The Ferry ride over begins the day:

As we left the ferry dock we saw this huge Fog Bank just to the North with the top of the space needle peeking out.

Looking West the Olympics were out in their full winter glory.

As we neared Eagle Harbor we noticed that the fog had moved a little further North near our Shilshole Marina.

No fog entering Eagle Harbor, Just clear shies.

1st stop Blackbird Bakery

We avoid bakery's except for this Blackbird., and the one in Poulsbo.

2nd Stop Fay Bainbridge State Park.

Looking East from Fay Bainbridge Beach the fog has grown over our marina.

But just a little bit to the North west the Cascades are out. 

Then the Fog spread out over the Sound looking South towards Mt. Rainier

The prevailing winds are relatively warm Southwesterly, today the winds are coming straight out of the Yukon and funneled down Canada's Frasier Valley where it pours into the North end of Puget Sound. Then it flows through the valley formed by the Olympics and the Cascades to the South Sound  

Crisp and Cool here. 

Almost every time we come to Fay Bainbridge park there is an Eagle in the top of the center tree. If they are not there then just wait a little while and they will fly over.

3rd Stop Fort Ward State Park

this is a small section of a chart that identifies the major mountain peaks in the Olympics and Cascades, from Fort Ward The Brothers, Jupiter, Constance, and Warrior are visible looking from the Southwestern edge of Rich Passage.

So right in front is Rich Passage with the Olympics and the Brothers visible in this shot.

The Admirals camera has a pretty good zoom, The Brothers up close. This mountain seems to be visible from almost every angle in Seattle, If you are driving West on almost so many roads in Seattle you have a view of the Brothers.

The highest peak, Mt. Constance.

Mt. Warrior

We heard all these Sea Lions barking and looked way down at the entrance to Rich Passage. Using Lynn's camera I zoomed in you could see the Sea Lions baking in the sun on the Red Nun. There are at least four of them on the bouy and a couple more just in the water.

4th Stop Pleasant Beach

Looking South from Pleasant Beach and the Western end of Rich Passage.

The view of Mt. Rainier and the Lenticular Cloud

"As air travels along the surface of the Earth, obstructions are often encountered. These include both natural features of the Earth, such as mountains or hills, and man-made structures, such as buildings and other structures. These disrupt the flow of air into "eddies", or areas of turbulence influenced by these obstructions.

When moist, stable air flows over a larger eddie, like those caused by mountains, a series of large-scale standing waves form on the leeward side of the mountain. If the temperature at the crest of the wave drops below the local dew point, moisture in the air may condense to form lenticular clouds. Under certain conditions, long strings of lenticular clouds can form near the crest of each successive wave, creating a formation known as a "wave cloud." These wave systems can produce large updrafts, occasionally enough for water vapour to condense and produce precipitation" Wikipedia.

5th Stop Halls Hill Labyrinth

Completing the day on Bainbridge at Halls Hill is the final touch on a day of being Present

I have tried to explain to others why it is that so many very diverse people buy a boat of any kind.  The connection between this population is very real. Water definitely has a big piece of the explanation. The water is an attraction and connection to so many but why? Taking time out to focus on anything other than the mass media of our daily world can bring one back to center. To be Present and to live in the moment. The Natural beauty of the PNW is right outside the door here, a very short journey away. There are many ways to find this Peace. 
We planned to take the 3:30 Ferry back to Seattle
It works perfect since at this time of the year it gets dark by 4:40pm. It makes a great Sunset Happy Hour on the trip back across Elliot Bay to Seattle.

 
New Years Day

We take a walk along the water front trail. 
So many people out enjoying yet another sunny warmish day. Lots of smiles anticipating 2019.

Be Nice

Considerate

Love Everyone

Keep the Fire Burning

Have Fun

Live all Day Long in 2019

December 2018 In Seattle

December 2018 In Seattle

On our return from Texas we found a wet Seattle. The region is living up to its reputation as back to back lows hustle across the Olympic Peninsula adding plenty of white and bringing the wet version to the lower altitudes. Then on to the Cascades where all of a sudden they have so much snow there are avalanche warnings. Then the wind storms where 50-60 mph winds in urban areas and 70 + mph on coastal and North Sound waters. with 100+ recorded at the highest altitudes. The windstorms result in major power outages across the region due to trees being blown over. They may be end of life trees or healthy trees who have shallow root systems due to the volcanic rock they grow on. When trees are 100-130' tall or more lots of cars, homes and power lines are destroyed. Tornadoes are extremely rare in the PNW but one wind storm created the freak tornado causing unexpected damage.  

But we had lots of fun anyway.

There is a lot going on regarding Seattle traffic, perhaps this is a Google guy updating maps?
The Alaska Viaduct is soon closing and there will be major traffic problems for three weeks until the replacement tunnel opens for traffic. The city is doing everything it can to prepare for the traffic gridlock that is looking.

The Seattle Fairmont Olympic Hotel host the Festival of Trees:
http://www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com/

Each tree has a different theme and are sold to the highest bidder to benefit the Settle Children's Hospital

This Tree donated by Dilettante Chocolates.

Then there is the Teddy Bear Suite
see: https://www.fairmont.com/seattle/press-room/teddy-bear-suite-celebrates-20th-anniversary/

"In addition to the usual public viewing, this year the hotel is excited to announce that guests will be able to book and stay overnight in the Teddy Bear Suite. The hotel has created a package including an overnight stay in the 1,200sq/ft Teddy Bear Suite, Teddy Bear Breakfast, parking and a commemorative 20th anniversary teddy bear. Prices for this suite experience start at $1,199 a night"
All proceeds go to the Children's Hospital.

I liked the life size Gingerbread house the best, you can walk through and the Gingerbread smells GREAT!

One storm just passed, the next is right behind, back to back lows marks the weather in December.

Things to do on a rainy day.

After five years we finally got our Orca Cards. We are learning to ride the Metro bus and it is really so easy and convienent, not sure why we waited so long to do this. $1 ride all you want in any given 3 hour period.

The Metro Bus drops you off about 1 mile from the marina, I have also been wanting to try the bike share Lime Bikes. So this one was my first $1 ride from the marina to the bus stop. First bike ride in nearly six years. I was amazed at how light the bike was it looks kind of heavy  but really pedaled great. You are always going either up or down in Seattle, thankfully it is flatter when your near the water but the slight hills did get my bodies attention. 

So the next time I chose a Ebike. with electric assist, you get the electric assist as long as you are peddling. I did not even notice the slight hills, I want to try one of these on a real Seattle hill to see how they assist up a steep incline.

Then you get to find out all the calories you have burned, in one mile I burned 9 calories in one mile on the Ebike. Humm, not enough for a beer

So Proud of our youngest Austin Granddaughter, Liv spends a lot of time dancing.

And our Oldest Austin Granddaughter Ella is on her way to Parsons School of Design in New York, SO PROUD!
https://www.newschool.edu/parsons/ 

Where the U.S. skies begin.

5 year old Drew is just the right age to learn how to Clean and lubricate a winch, 

He is really good at taking things apart!

All clean and now ready to grease it all up and reassemble.

Highest tide I have seen yet at our marina.
The ramp is nearly level.

You can see the Storm drain is almost under water, obviously the water has been higher but not since we have been here.

Magical Winter sunsets.

The SAM Lights
https://www.seattleartmuseum.org/lights

The Sculpture Garden Pavilion is Turned On!

This is what you call an Electric Horn Section
See the video at: https://youtu.be/HSRIKihUQhM

So there is a Piano hooked up to these lights and anyone can stop by and play a tune causing the lights to dance the song.

Dasher and Comet stopped into Seattle to see what the kids were up to.

This is the new Generation stepping out to play in the rain. Clara loves puddles and sticks and worms.

Then her parents treated her at the Kitty Cat Cafe

Click on the pick, you can see the Olympics are full of Snow, That is a Labrador in the foreground fetching a ball. at Pocket Beach.

We did have some Mighty Fine sun days in December. On these Days I would zip over to the boat and get one more step closer on my Gel Coat project.

A Tug Steaming North

Sunset from Magnolia Bluff

A lone sailboat out for a Christmas Day sail in very light winds just ghosting along on a reach.

The Northwest Hemlocks can make fro some Dr. Seuss like figures.

We volunteered again for Earshot Jazz 30 th anniversay production of
The Sacred Music of Duke Ellington
held this year at St.Mark's Episcopal Cathedral
https://www.earshot.org/ellingtons-sacred-music/

Hear at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8T5-AxBUwI

A Sun Break over Mount Constance
https://www.summitpost.org/mount-constance/151586