Thurso, Scotland

The Blue Moon

Went to the Blue Moon Tavern last Saturday night. Two local bands were having a record release party. Advertised as Seattle’s ” most infamous bar”. The list of literary figures that have spent time in the bar can be seen on this link. I like the one where Tom Robbins, the author, called Pablo Picasso from the bar and actually got through to him, but Mr. Picasso refused to accept the overseas phone charges. The murals in this post are on the west wall of the exterior of the bar and were taken with my iPhone.

Pigs on Parade #1

A few years ago the Pike Place Market celebrated its 100th anniversary. One of the more interesting events surrounding this occasion was called Pigs on Parade. Various sculpted pigs were given out to various artists to decorate/paint as they wished. The Pigs would then be placed at various locations in downtown Seattle. I went around one day and photographed as many as I could find in the time frame I had given myself. So, over the next couple of weeks I will be posting those photos. The Golden pig, in this post, was stationed on top of a building in the Market itself.

Bike Program

One of three companies running bike share programs in Seattle ( actually, more like bike rental, I guess). A consequence of these three companies business plan, bikes littering parks, sidewalks and basically anywhere someone decides they no longer need to ride.

When Citibike failed financially in Seattle, (of course) that would be a sign that three other companies could succeed in the wake of their failure. Other than rent bikes by the hour and leave them wherever your hour takes you, I have no idea what their business plan is or why three companies were granted the right to litter parking strips, bus stops and scenic parks ( as above ) on Beach Drive in West Seattle?

Duwamish Access VII

After getting past a No Trespassing sign and fence I was able to get a closer look at this closed pedestrian pier and dock. In the background of one of the images you can see the West Seattle high-rise bridge. This bridge was a replacement for a drawbridge that was hit by a ship back in the 1980’s, I believe.

Duwamish Access III

Two large barges being moved both up and down river by tugs. A lot of containerized freight is staged up river for transport to Alaska. I know of two large operations, one either side of the river, that specialize in collecting and forwarding freight to Alaska ( one of which I actually did a job interview for about 30 years ago-fortunately I didn’t get the job). It’s not unusual to see vehicles of all types perched on top of a stack of containers heading north. What I found fascinating is that these barges draw little water and leave hardly a noticeable wake in the path. A small speedboat, on the other hand, will create all sorts of noise and a wake that sends the ducks scurrying and bobbing about :-).