Volunteer Park, The Asian Art Museum and The Conservatory

First stop was the water tower observation deck.Volunteer Park, Built by Water Department 1906, reservoir in 1901. 107 steps to observation deck. 75 1/2’ above road pavement at base (top elevation 520;) (Space Needle top elevation 725’); pavement at elevation 444.5’ is high point of Capitol Hill. 

After climbing 107 steps you get to enjoy the free view that is pretty awesome on a clear day since the Water Tower is located on the highest elevation of Capitol Hill.

see: http://www.seattle.gov/parks/park_detail.asp?ID=399

Normally this time of year there would be snow on all the upper elevation's of the Olympics, now just a little bit of snow remains on one of the higher peaks called The Brothers in the upper right.As you can see from the lower right youo are at the level of the parks tall trees. On the Lower left is St. Marks Episcopal Cathedral. A local we talked to told us about a Men's Choir that chants Every Sunday Evening at 9:30 p m. He said it is one of Seattle's secrets that few know about  but the church is packed to capacity every Sunday Night for this event. see http://complinechoir.org/  

A Southeast View of Mt. Rainier

NO one's looking.....

Medallion on north side honors L.B. Youngs, first Superintendent of Water Department (1895-1923)

Changa

Black Sun

Burke Monument
By Herman McNeil, pedestal-bench-plaza by CF Gould, architect. Dedicated in 1930 to honor pioneer Judge Thomas Burke (1849-1925) - "patriot, jurist, orator, friend, patron of education", promoter of Pacific Rim harmony and trade; instrumental in bringing transcontinental railroad to Seattle. $50,000; memorial contributed by admirers of Judge Burke.

Volunteer Park has beauty along every path

They perfected the Bonsai Tree
http://www.psba.us/

The Asian Art Museums perment colluction of Buddhism is pretty remarkable

The Moment of Enlightenment was my favorite piece.

Here is a short clip of the Animation she created. This was really very incredible and the clip does not do it justice. If this exhibit comes near you go see it! https://youtu.be/jnhZdhS4QN8

http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkspaces/VolunteerPark/conservatory.htm

Seward Sculpture and pedestal By Richard Brooks of New York. Honors William Seward who was instrumental in purchase of Alaska in 1867. Statue was a feature of the 1909 AYP Exposition held on the US grounds; moved to this location in 1910 

The Conservatory, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is also a City landmark and one of the few remaining original Victorian public glass houses in the country. It houses an outstanding tropical plant collection

Over'Lyre see http://www.newsense-intermedium.com/INSTALLATIONS/NP/VPC06/OScore.html
Sadly it was not working when we were there.

I first thought we would be seeing mostly Pacific Northwest plants but it seems to be a cross section across the Us and beyond.

As we were leaving there were several groups gathered in the shade for a late lunch and music in the Amphitheater.

Volunteer Park, The Asian Art Museum and The Conservatory

Any of the above would be worth the travel across Seattle's traffic but if you have a day you can do all of them including the Water Tower Observation Deck. When we arrived at Volunteer Park, we drove around looking for the Water Tower. Finally we went around this circle and there were some gardeners working there, we asked them where the water tower was and they said you are here, it is in the center of the circle! Couldn't see it for the trees.
This day was low on the checklist but it was Museum Free Day for Seniors and we had the day so the Admiral got us in gear. I had no idea as I thought it was just a ride over to see the Asian Art Museum. The Water Tower was very cool with all the 360 degree views around the region We talked to a local up there who told us some of the fun activities that occur in the park. During the summer a Brass Band climbs the 107 steps  in the evening and strikes up the band. He says the acoustics are perfect and it sounds like a fine speaker system all throughout the park and the surrounding neighborhood.
Next we spent some time on the trails just seeing the beautiful areas of the park. The neighborhood that wraps around the park is very lucky to have this for walking, jogging, and biking or just a place to hang out. We spent about an hour taking pics of the park and surrounding views than made the short walk to the Asian Art Museum http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/visit/asian-art-museum , another of the Seattle Art Museums word class exhibition halls. I think there is something in the Buddhist Religion that sparks the imagination of everyone who encounters this belief system. Enlightenment is the objective whereas oppression and or control is the direction so many other religions.
The Chiho Aoshima exhibit was pretty incredible. In a very large rectangular room her animation was unigue and mesmerizing. We watched it several times and never saw all the details but she is no doubt a artist worth seeing, even if you have to make an extra effort to get there. see: http://www.seattleartmuseum.org/exhibitions/chiho and https://www.perrotin.com/artiste-Chiho_Aoshima-14.html 
Then it was time to walk about a block over to the Conservatory. I thought we would be seeing the flora of the Pacific Northwest but instead we were treated to the flora of the entire US and beyond. It's kind of like a Plant Zoo but it is so peaceful! We could have easily spent a couple of more hours here but those Larabars only go so far. At some point Food rules!