Along the way, deep into the forest trail

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I recently posted about my hike to Annette Lake, a serene lake high in the mountainous region of the Mt.Baker-Snoqualmie forest.

The lake being serene and amazing, was enough to behold for its own posting. Now, I would like to share a bit more on its trail to and back. It’s a path as awesome as its destination.

The 7.5-mile round trip Annette Lake trail has wonderous sights, rich in the best of the Pacific Northwest nature land preservations, and another reason I love the Washington State. Here, dedicated hikers will step across towering huddled trees, fallen trees with new life taking upon, rocks of all ages, countless waterfalls, old wooden bridges, and patches of snow along the top in this late spring.

The sunlight through the blue sky intensified the green, illuminated darker pathways partially covered full-grown branches, and gave sparkles to the streams of water running down. You can also enjoy the sounds of the trail varied from noisy waterfalls, chirping birds up high, and peaceful void of preserved stillness.

Here are some choice pics along the path…

 

Overall, the Lake Annette Trail is a good hike I highly recommend for those physically able to withstand a moderate uphill exercise binge, with a worthwhile destination of the lake itself to rest for a bit.

My tips for the trail: go early, so you’ll have time to rest and enjoy some views. Bring a water bottle or two, with snacks of nuts and dried fruit. Go in a group, and maybe bring your dog (allowed on the trail). Wear good hiking shoes fit for stepping over small rocky pathways and snow patches. Don’t rush, as parts of the path are narrow, and other hikers will be frequently passing on the good days. Much of the path is upon step hillsides, with an easy fall into deadly grounds. Rest easy at the lake for a good time before heading back.

For more on the Lake Annette Trail, visit the official Washington Trails site at www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/annette-lake.

– Orion T

The stunning sight of Annette Lake

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Recently, I set upon a long hike in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Regional Forest with a group, to Annette Lake.

The sight itself deserves my special posting as an amazing visual spot, high up in the mountainous regions of the middle Washington State. The lake is medium size, with much of its surrounding area closed off to visitors. There is no man-made developed shore area or plank, just some natural spots for viewers to appreciate the still serene beauty and untouched landscape. Stepping in the water at this time felt icey, as we heeded warnings to not proceed further in.

Here is a low-grade panoramic shot from my phone:

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The only way to reach Annette Lake is through a 7.5-mile round trip trail. Half the hike is uphill through a deep forest mountainside over switchbacks, small waterfalls, and a little snow up high. The elevation gain is about 1800 ft, where the lake signals the peak and destination of the trail.

I advise good hiking boots for the path, and for the current time while the snow sits up high..bring trekking poles. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow, though one should take it slow with its rocky parts and slippy elevation. Dogs are welcome on the trail, as many brought their canine companions.

My friend’s dog Ruby joined our group, who enjoyed the snow part very much.

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The Annette Lake trail itself offers more interesting distant views, of which I will share in another posting, soon.

Meanwhile, to anyone interested in checking out Lake Annette and the trail to it, visit the official site for more info, at www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/annette-lake.

– Orion T

 

 

Riding the Great Weather

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Lately, the warm and sunny weather has brought out the best in people.

For me over the recent weekend, the effect been more exercise by moving around more. I also got some nice new walking shoes, making my recent walk through the West Seattle longer, more enjoyable. Also, I did some reading and writing

Alki Beach of West Seattle felt especially pleasant, with people in abundance doing many good things possible and special to this wonderful climate. The best of which included volleyball, kayaking, jogging, conversing, holding hands, eating ice cream out of a cone, dog-walking,  and leaving their mobile devices alone.

The summer is about a month away, with more days of good sun to make up for some of the gloom and freeze of the prior months (at least here in the Pacific Northwest US).

I look forward!

– Orion T

I shot the picture last Saturday afternoon. No idea on who the bicyclist is, but his balance skills are excellent. And I think he probably appreciated the cheers in the distance (and a big thanks to him for allowing me time to get my camera ready). I could also overhear someone whistling and complementing his physique. That got a chuckle out of me.

The sky suddenly changed…

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An hour after the noon during my lunch break, I enjoyed the warm weather with a mix of blue sky, passing grey clouds and sunshine. The calm was highly appreciated for my otherwise busy life.

What a beautiful day.

A few hours later, the rain suddenly poured heavy, with a little thunder mixed in. I borrowed an umbrella from work, which soon broke while waiting for the bus (came 15 minutes late).

Argh, stupid umbrella.

Eventually, the rain slowed, just in time for my long bus ride to finally end (traffic from Bellevue was a bit rough). The atmosphere of downtown Seattle felt a bit humid from the mix of warm weather and sudden dampness. I walked steady pace in a homeward direction, looking forward to a big bowl of tomato soup.

I forgot the broken umbrella, still on the bus. Oh well.

On the way, I passed by the public use ping-pong table in the outside recreational open of Westlake Park. I stopped, and admire its smooth, wet reflection of the world above, after these sudden changes of unresting weather.

Still, a beautiful day.

– Orion T

This Sunday afternoon…

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I had a plan to relax outside, though sometimes that takes effort beforehand.

After sleeping in late, catching up on messages, fixing breakfast, finishing laundry, playing Boggle on my phone, taking a shower, answering more text messages, and then watching one more episode of the new Lost in Space series on Netflix (it’s quite good).

Then, I could ignore the bright sunshine any further, and finally left my apartment a little past 1:00 pm).

I took the bus to the Fremont neighborhood, walking into the weekly Fremont Sunday Market. The area is a few blocks long, with many tents and tables selling a variety of used and new goods. I highly recommend this path, for gifts and interesting home decoration. With all that, strolled through the merchant tents, browsing but not purchasing. Sometimes, I just enjoy looking at random things.

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I ended my stroll at the food trucks, feeling somewhat excited about the “Taco Libre Truck Showdown” going on (and the reason I came to the Sunday Market), where tacos of special variety were sold. To participate as a taster of these tacos, one would likely spend much time in a long line for pricey, tiny “street” taco resembling eats. I tried a couple of trucks, and was no happy at the bits of things normally I do not associate with tacos thrown in for that  “gourmet”  or “fusion” flavor (arugula, fruit bits, weird sauces I can’t figure out)..and consumed in three or four bites. Or, I just miss my old living regions of Southern California, where taco trucks delivered bigger, fuller tacos at a cheaper price with much less of a line.

I looked for lemonade to consume. Only one stand found in the area, with an absurdly long line for just the lemonade. Perhaps, it was really high-quality lemonade. I did not stick around to find out.

Leaving my disappointments behind, I found a nice spot by the by the Fremont Canal Park passageway and sat down on a grassy area before a large tree. There were ducks, geese before me in the waters ahead. I had a brief conversation with someone nearby feeding the waterfowl, something about the motherhood and caretaking of such.  Then, I took a short nap, did some reading and absorbed a mix of the mid 70’s sunlight and passing cloud cover above.

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All was enough to enjoy and make the day worthwhile.

– Orion T

Colorful Gardens at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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I recently visited the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Northern Washington State on a gray day this April. Some of that was detailed in my previous post, Colorful Views…). As amazing as the tulip fields were, I was also impressed by the Roozengaarde display garden area. Here, there are “90+ varieties of tulips and over 150 flower bulb varieties in total. Included are tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, muscari and other specialty flowers.”

The colors this time of year stand out, and a worthwhile attraction for tourists and locals in the Pacific Northwest. According to its website at tulips.com, the display garden is open all year round. Seeing these with the fields during the festival, is just an added bonus.

I now share some pics of the wonderful display garden below (click on each for the bigger picture):

The admiration and picture-taking was a joy, but personally seeing this for yourself is the best experience, especially with friends or family. For more info, click here and check out the Roozengaarde official site at Tulips.com for more info about tulips and purchase options

– Orion T

 

 

Colorful Views at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival

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A few days ago, me and local friends ventured out north in the Washington state to the rural area of Skagit Valley by Mount Vernon, to check out its annual Tulip Festival. This wonderful time throughout April is when the tulip farms are at their colorful peak, growing miles of freshly blooms tulips and daffodils. Designated areas for up close viewing are open to the public, with a small admission charge

For the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival of 2018, there are multiple areas to visit and check out, as I entered the Roozengaarde Display Garden and Fields. Stunning place it is, even with the gray weather and muddy grounds (rained hard the day before). I admired and learned much of the tulip life and care that goes into them. I also took some pictures, of which the fields are shared below (click on each to fully appreciate):

The festival time goes on until the end of the month. The tourism on the weekend can be a bit heavy, especially if the rain is gone and the sun is shining. So, be ready for a slow drive when close and lines at the entrance and foot court. It’s all well worth it with friends and family.

For more info, check out tulipfestival.org.

I meanwhile, also show many great up-close shots of the tulips in their enclosed garden area, of which I will share in another post. Look forward!

– Orion T

 

 

 

Looking at some Romanesco Broccoli

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I past by some interesting, and larger sized broccoli at Sosio’s Produce inside Pike Place Market in Seattle. Only $4.99 a pound for this, and what the signed said was “Organic Italian Broccoli Romanesco.”

According to a Wikipedia entry on Romanesco broccoli, it has grown in Italy since the 16th century. Also known:

“Romanesco superficially resembles a cauliflower, but it is chartreuse in color, and its form is strikingly fractal in nature. The inflorescence (the bud) is self-similar in character, with the branched meristems making up a logarithmic spiral. In this sense the bud’s form approximates a natural fractal; each bud is composed of a series of smaller buds, all arranged in yet another logarithmic spiral. This self-similar pattern continues at several smaller levels. The pattern is only an approximate fractal since the pattern eventually terminates when the feature size becomes sufficiently small. The number of spirals on the head of Romanesco broccoli is a Fibonacci number.”

Fascinating!

– Orion T

Fallen Blossoms in the Early Spring

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The Seattle weather has been very fickle lately. The sunshine remains infrequent and the rain a familiar thing that happens 2-3 days a week. Below, are the cherry trees of early spring, reaching the peak of bloom throughout the Emerald City for this year.

Locally, more blossoms have fallen into scatters. The recent rains dampened many, keeping them moist until the groundskeepers collect. Until then, here are some shots last Sunday morning through a local stroll in Seattle’s Freeway Park…

– Orion T

The Post Alley Times

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Sometimes, I cut through a part of Post Alley from the main Pike Place Market area in the Seattle city.

That is a moment with an atmosphere I enjoy, with the echoes of its partial underground amplifying the joys of tourists chatting and the busy street traffic above (being that this alley dips under into a slight ditch and tunnel).

The overall Post Alley is a place of disconnected fragments, confusing to newcomers. There segments are close to each other in the area, each with a separate charm to itself. The particular area I enjoy, is the one with the famous Gum Wall of which I shared some findings on, here. There is much else, including a few old shops, some bars, the entrance to a small theater I have yet to visit.

But cutting through, I take a moment to see what’s new on the walls not covered by sticky gum and windows. Always, there is varied art and self-promotion here. Much in the past of such, I have shared on this blog. The view is never the same, and always changing, with some reflection of the times. The other day was the shot above, and below here:

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A little more promotion than usual, but that’s okay. Much here is a reminder of the happenings of Seattle, and social joys one can connect with. Take it all in with these gifts of randomness present. Try not to process all, or look too hard at some meanings.

Then, walk away feeling some kind of emotion. Mind is usually simple joy, with sprinkles of inspiration.

– Orion T

March for our Lives 2018

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Yesterday on March 24th, millions took to the streets in the first “March for our Lives” national event. This one, very different from recent marches from the last two years, as the focus this time was mostly on gun policy change, stricter background checks, banning ARs, resistance to the NRA lobbying campaign and propaganda, safer schools, and many related issues. The event, led by survivors of the Parkland, Florida high school mass shooting with other young prolific speakers on stage in Washington D.C.

The Seattle city took part with its own impressive numbers on this beautiful sunny day. I joined among them, in support of sensible changes and sane thinking to the troubling counterpoint of arming more civilians and looser restrictions.  Seeing the many passionate marching people wanting a safer future with no mass shootings fill me with great hope for these tough times, as I expect them to heighten the debate on the complexities of the issue, then drive toward improvements on current gun policy.

Here are some picture snaps of the day from me…

– Orion T

Leftover Cookies

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Yes!

The best way to start this Monday day of work is to enjoy leftover cookies from last Friday’s St. Patrick’s theme party. This goes very well with some much needed fresh coffee.

– Orion T

The Second Sunset past Seven

The best thing about this new daylight saving time change, is more time to savor a good sunset. Especially, with the warm weather.

So I did, behind the Pile Place Market in the new deck area. The shot above is from my phone, with its last bit of battery life before shutting down.

– Orion T

The Outside In

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The sun was an inviting element to this particular past weekend for 2018. I think this was the first time of this year, where the Emerald City got complete sunshine for both Saturday and Sunday.

Or, at least that what I have noticed while not being indoors for most this weekend. I walked around a lot through downtown and the waterfront on errands and eating. But particularly striking was the Central Library in the early afternoon. I was there to finish my taxes and check out some movies. The light of the sun directly shined through, causing the revealing pattern shadows on the floor. I had to take a picture (see above).

Then, the only movie I checked out was Alien: Covenant. I watched it later, and felt no excitement. That movie is super boring and put me to sleep.

– Orion T

Recently, Back in Time…

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Over the weekend, I attended the 2018 Emerald City Comic Con. I love the comic cons and geeky pop culture convergences, as I have written often expressing such. This one was no different, though not too special either. I did a lot of the usual stuff one can do at these shows with an emphasis on shopping, attending panels, admiring cosplay, discovering new stories and creative talent, meeting friends old and new.

The best hour for this convention was attending a special Back to the Future movies Q&A panel with special guests Christopher Lloyd (Doc Brown) and Tom Wilson (Biff Tannen), answering questions and telling fun stories about their experiences from playing the key roles in the classic trilogy. Both had great energy and humor, entertaining a large crowd of fans, including myself.

And if you love the Back to the Future movies, then you should listen to Tom Wilson’s little special bit he played for the ECCC panel. He is a funny guy, and this is that from his official Youtube channel:

– Orion T

It’s just the rain…

“I went to bed and woke in the middle of the night thinking I heard someone cry, thinking I myself was weeping, and I felt my face and it was dry. Then I looked at the window and thought: Why, yes, it’s just the rain, the rain, always the rain, and turned over, sadder still, and fumbled about for my dripping sleep and tried to slip it back on.”

― Ray Bradbury,
Green Shadows, White Whale: A Novel of Ray Bradbury’s Adventures Making Moby Dick with John Huston in Ireland

The picture is a from a recent hour at a bus stop, using a camera with just enough battery life to capture this moment in Downtown Seattle.

– Orion T

A cold and wet Seattle night…

With a good mix of noise.

I love the city rain, especially in Seattle.

– Orion T

The Revolving Winter

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I feel there is a little confusion in recent weather changes.

In the Seattle area, we had a little snow in the recent days. Depending on what part, which can range from one zip code to another, can be very little or a lot of a little. Before the snow, there was a mix of sunshine and light rain, which helped push forward some early blooms. Now the air is chill, with predictions of slight temperature raises in the coming days. The snow in and around my area has become a memory, though may return. The blooms meanwhile, seem hesitant.

Just wait and see.

– Orion T

My 33 cents of V-Day Love

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Seriously, 33 cents worth of today candy all right here. Ugh, what a terrible effort.

Valentine’s Day is nearly over. I hope many of you made it special. I sadly, did not. But to make up for that, I leave a quote that should last longer than this one day..by Abraham Lincoln, inspired by Bill S. Esquire, and Ted “Theodore” Logan; bringing forward the connection we should share…

“Be excellent to each other.”

– Orion T

An early sign of Spring

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I can see a small hint of the coming season.

The cold winter can only last so long, and there is still more than a month of that to go. In wait, I will enjoy the naked trees, the grey moody skies, the wetter streets after a quiet rain. I love the new days as the dawn steadily rises a little earlier, and the set is bit more patient.

Meanwhile, I notice to the side as I walk. Some of the buds are peeking out, getting ready. No rush for the year to move forward, but I shall welcome this next Spring.

– Orion T

Outside the Amazon Spheres

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Live in Seattle, and you will eventually notice the overwhelming presence of Amazon. I mean this, because of the influence the mega-dominating capitalist empire carries, with its growing tech culture and innovation, here at a high price for the locals here.

Now stands the Amazon Spheres, an enclosed botanical paradise for some of its highest privileged employees. A forest world of its own, with a large variety of plants, waterfalls, and trees; all contained within an architectural wonder of curved glass and complicated steelwork.

This bonkers modern construction is the newest developed centerpiece for the many surrounding Amazon buildings towering over the city (and much blocking the view of the Space Needle for us regular folk). Its light after sunset illuminates Amazon’s current prosperity to its many local highly paid tech-workers, as they gather their food at the nearby Amazon Go shop, or the Whole Foods Market a few blocks away (now owned by Amazon).

The building is cool to look at, but I think would be more impressive if it stood for more than its company name. I have more to say on this, especially after visiting the inside of one of those spheres.

More on that, soon.

– Orion T

 

The Super Blue No-Moon Eclipse

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Stupid cloud cover…

So, I got up early this morning at 4:30 am, and headed to the Seattle waterfront (on Pier 66, upper level), to see the once in a lifetime combo of the Moon being a full Super, Blue, and Lunar Eclipse. The sight would have been amazing, given the reflection of the Elliot Bay waters and possible surrounding clouds.

Sadly, the distant cloud layer was too thick and overbearing, hogging the vision to itself. You could see a little glow from the moonlight above the mountains, and that was all for the duration until Moonset. The air was cold but shared nearby with other disappointed persons. We stared, and made the most of the moment, talking and chuckling at teasing of reddish moonlight.

Well, there will be more rare happenings to behold, or not. But what matters is that I was ready for either.

– Orion T

The last day of Zanadu

Today brings a somber feeling to my sequential art loving heart, as my local comic store (Zanadu Comics) is having its last day of business today.

In downtown Seattle, Zanadu Comics has sold books, graphic novels, manga, and comic books of all kinds to its consumer community for over 40 years. For me, it was a place to pick up new titles and follow up on recommendations for over 5 years. I appreciated this store for its attention to local artists, indie titles, and good recommendations from the staff. It felt old-fashioned in a time when comic-book properties are now associated with movies, TV, and video games. Sad, for the printed industry is a struggling one, which is a partial reason for its departure (the rest probably being Seattle’s rising cost of living and lessening consumer traffic in the area).

There are other comic stores, but not as near or focused on the indie support. But, I will still go when I can and continue my loving excitement for all comics books until the last one is printed, or there are no more stores to buy them.

– Orion T

The crazy truth of carrots

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Carrots are not always orange. This popular vegetable can appear in white, yellow, red, and purple.

The orange color is popular and well-known, said to be the result of 17th-century Dutch farmers who selectively bred the orange variants in a higher quantity, to symbolize the Netherlands through its nation’s chosen color and independence.

Before them, carrots have been known for its many colors and grown as a food source around the world. The color is dependent on the wavelength of light they absorb, creating the natural pigments. They still do, but the orange ones remain the most popular for being an excellent source of beta-carotene in its natural pigment.

Also, popularized in modern times by the famous cartoon rabbit, Bugs Bunny.  His original voice actor, Mel Blanc, did not like carrots and spit them out while eating them in voicing sessions.

I like them because they are filling, and a healthy way to rid hunger while avoiding fast food.

– Orion T 

The picture above was taken a stand at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, where you can buy some of these unusual carrots.

 

 

The Seattle Women’s March of 2018

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On Saturday and mostly in the cities, the second annual series of Women’s Marches happened across the United States. Big results followed through once again, with an emphasis of unease towards the current President, his administration, and GOP establishment (also the year anniversary of #45’s inauguration).

The people of Seattle and surrounding areas arrived, and filled the march route for several hours by tens of thousands in number. The weather was murky with spots of light sprinkles with a forgiving temperature of the upper 40s. Signs on hand were many focused toward “liberal” causes, many of which are championed by strong-minded women fighting back today.

Especially for the Seattle event, there was a grand presence of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls March happening within. Such was heartfelt for the troubling history involving such, bringing awareness to the ignored gender-based violence in the United States and Canada to Indigenous Women. Here with the march, drums and native symbology mix with red cloth for solidarity to the victims and unresolved cases.

Here are my pictures of this event…

An overall good day, with refreshed optimism and new unity for our challenging times.

-Orion T

A Present Day for Martin Luther King Jr.

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“In a real sense all life is inter-related. All men are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be…
This is the inter-related structure of reality.”

― Martin Luther King Jr., Letter from Birmingham Jail

Today is the 32nd third Monday of January, known as Martin Luther King Day, in celebration of the greatest civil rights activist leader of our lifetimes. We spend it as a day off for many, and in remembrance of King’s message and strive for justice, liberty, and peace for all.

Here in Seattle, there was a march and a rally held, of which I sadly missed. But the message remained on signs and shirts later on in the day. The current vibe focused on the road ahead toward the full accomplishment of Dr. King’s dream, with sentiments on social movements on civil rights for immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ persons, and others marginalized by oppressive systems.

A general theme can be seen throughout brought on by organizers to “Take a Knee for Justice” referring to the prayer actions of Martin Luther King and company during his famous march in Selma, Alabama, then recently brought back by modern civil rights activist/ NFL star Colin Kaepernick and company, overall in solidarity for wrongs in the system against people of color. Signs throughout are a reminder, there is still much to do, and more unity needed to achieve a nation where persons will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

– Orion T

 

Enter the Wolf Moon of 2018..

Happy New Year!

Today begins with that, and a new Full Moon or Super Moon (given its fullness and slightly closer position to Earth) on this night.

This first Full Moon is also known as the Wolf Moon, according to some ancient naming tradition unclear in origin. It is said that wolves howl more during this time, though not at the Moon but toward the night sky. Reasons I believe, are their use of the open sky as better acoustics to announce their presence, and communicate with each other.

Meanwhile, I did not feel like howling, and felt shivers from the cold air during my short time in the outside today. I took the above pic during a needed walk after a long sleep recovering from the long night before, and the tough year that ended.

So, onto new things ahead, which will be exciting with some curiosity and daring moves to be done. Then perhaps, I will feel like howling.

– Orion T

Snowy Wires Above.

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The electric transportation wires cross-crossed on Broadway and Pine in Seattle’s Capitol Hill are a mildly interesting sight to behold. Seeing them layered with snow bring a further specialness to the quiet night last Sunday, on Christmas Eve.

– Orion T

Merry Christmas Day!!

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Today, the streets remain quiet this Christmas Day, but the cheer remains.

Enjoy the spirit.

-Orion T

…

I took the picture recently from the famed Pike Place Market in Downtown Seattle, in the quiet after hours of this Holiday Season.

A Rockin Christmas Eve…

We got some snow here in Seattle, this Christmas Eve.

The day is also very cold and the moment late for many just finished up on work. For me in the last night, I spent nearly half an hour almost asleep on the Light Link rail, finally arriving in Seattle’s Capitol Hill. And behold, the night is silent with a few walking about and most shops cold. Above, the spirit of Jimi Hendrix is half covered in snow, a perfect metaphor of the liveliness carried on though this silent night…

Meanwhile, sleep well. And for the next day…Merry Christmas!

– Orion T