May 2016 Tacoma

Visiting my sister Janet in Tacoma, WA.  She dragged me to the Glass Museum.  While it wasn't large, it was really interesting and I'm glad we went.



The Glass Museum is the cone shaped building.




My sister Janet with glass room deviders.












This fruit may not look it, but this plate is about ten feet wide.










The next two items were designed by kids in drawings which were then transformed into glass sculptures by artists.




In the first two pictures of this post, you see a Federal Courthouse and the Glass Museum. Connecting them was a walkway over the highway and on the walkway were covered bridges full of glass artwork.







In the Courthouse rotunda, there was even more glass artwork.







Back at my campsite at Ft Lewis, I had a surprise waiting for me


Today, my sister and I went to Seattle to visit my friend Jennifer from my working days.




Jennifer, myself and my sister Janet from the roof of Jennifer's condo.  Take note of the Space Needle and Mt Rainier in the background.  The view was fantastic.

April 2016 - Portland, OR and May 2016 - Tacoma

Walking around Portland with my Aunt Mary we came across this flower at the college.  I have no clue what it is, but it was beautiful.


From my aunt's apartment.


We went to dinner at this place.  Any idea what they were serving?


This tree had a sign indicating it had been planted in 1880.


Next stop was Tacoma, WA.  My sister didn't want to be outdone so she took me to a big tree in Tacoma.  No clue how old it was, but the base was about 20' in circumference.


It is impossible to go to Tacoma without taking a picture of Mt Rainier.  It dominates the landscape.


The Chinese had been instrumental in building much of the west coast, however in the 1880's, there was an economic downturn and laws were passed to exclude them.  Then they were expulsed from the area through treats.  Many did leave, but some stayed.  This park was created as a reconciliation of wrongs committed.
 









Went Roller Skating with my sister.  Hadn't been on skates in 30+ years. Felt a little unstable, but good at the same time.

April 2016 - Travel to Kennewick, The Reach, travel to Portland

Travelling to Kennewick, WA to visit cousins Marilyn & Steven Taylor.  Scenery along the road.

Grass Lake Rest Area, Cascades, CA




Crooked River Canyon, OR






The Reach Museum - Richland, WA

http://visitthereach.org/

I hadn't realized the massive effort of the Manhattan Project included the large facilities in the Northwest to process nuclear material. This area was chosen due to its isolation, massive sources of water and electricity.   The Reach Museum tells the story.

My cousin Marilyn's imitation of Vanna White pointing the way to the Museum.














Columbia River Gourge