Along Highway 26 between Colfax and Washtucna there is a barn I have often admired and today I pulled over and snapped the photo. Since I know nothing else about the barn, I’m including a photo from the other side of the mountains in North Bend and another random highway scene with a tree.
The World’s Longest Floating Boardwalk is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. It was completed in 1985 and extends 3,300 feet including a bridge with a spectacular view of the lake on this unusually warm spring day. There were a handful of love locks on the bridge itself. Along our walk dear daughter made a ladybug friend.
Our visit to Coeur d’Alene also included a stroll through downtown with associated shopping and snacks. My favorite piece of art was the huge dandelion sculpture.
Every time I visit dear daughter at WSU, I pop across state lines to visit Downtown Moscow, home of the University of Idaho’s Vandels. It really is a charming downtown with a selection of restaurants and shops. I love the bookstore, Book People of Moscow, and Cafe Artista. This time I also tried Moscow Bagel and Deli and it was yum. The Moscow Downtown Historic District includes 60 buildings and was placed on the National Historic Register in 2005.
I drove to Pullman today and along the way I stopped in the town of Washtucna in Adams County. The town has a population of about 200 people. I picked Washtucna because I heard it had a good birding park known as Bassett Park after the first mayor. It was some nice little park with a small creek running through it and one of the local residents came and chatted with me for a while. And then as I was leaving the town I found their original sheriff’s office/jail which consisted of a very small wooden building with two jail cells and a front area for the sheriff. There was also the original outhouse, a two seater! Altogether it was a pleasant little diversion on the long drive to Pullman and I’m glad I stopped.
One of the joys of Spring Break is going out to eat and see a movie during the day. I guess it wasn’t an original idea because I ran into not one, but two tables of school friends and then after the movie, yet another friend from school! It was so fun!
Wild Fin is a chain of three seafood restaurants and this location is at 5115 Grand Loop, Tacoma at Point Ruston. Dear husband and I stopped in before our movie and had very yummy and filling appetizers. I’m looking forward to evenings on the patio which features a marine view and summer days on the beach eating fried fish from the fish bar which will open soon.
I had never had Hawaiian BBQ before and wondered how it was different from Texan BBQ. Apparently L&L’s BBQ is “fusion of Asian and American dishes prepared with a unique island flare”. The L&L BBQ is located at 4502 S. Steele Street #161A in the Tacoma Mall. Both dear husband and I had bowls, his chicken and mine beef. They were served with rice and veggies, There was so much food, that we have enough for another delicious meal each.
The Guardian Stone is Poulsbo’s newest public art installation and it is really lovely. My first thought was “oh, look, a sword in the stone! King Arthur!”, but no. It being Poulsbo, the piece is reflective of Norwegian history. The rock, steel and glass sculpture by Lisa Stirrett was installed in February 2016 at the Muriel Iverson Williams Waterfront Park. The nine foot tall piece is a nod to Swords of the Rock in Norway, though that piece is much larger (see a photo of that too). Really, it is captivating. You should go see it!
Cafe Brosseau at 2716 N 21st St in Tacoma is really delightful and I can’t believe I hadn’t been there before. Their website says “Cafe Brosseau is located in the Three-Bridges District in Tacoma’s North End. Founded by Christian and Donna in 2013. The name honors the twin brothers who built the original shop located here in 1912.” I didn’t realize Tacoma had a Three Bridge District.
Dear husband and I had stopped in for a treat. I ordered their signature Cafe Brosseau, a chocolate and orange espresso drink and it was rich and delicious. Dear husband stuck with a drip coffee and pronounced it good (that’s as high a praise as he goes). The folks that waited on us were very nice and even stop at our table later to see how we liked things. I really appreciate how they highlight local providers like Corina’s Bakery and Mad Hat Tea. It’s a little out of my way, but I’m sure I’ll be back … maybe for lunch. They have a Facebook Page and a Website. There is also an article in the Tacoma Weekly about this history of the building.
Cafe Brosseau, Tacoma
It’s probably a tribute to our marriage, that when my husband and I drove past goats clearing the undergrowth next to old Elk’s Club/Future McMeniman’s, he just quietly did a u-turn so I could go get a really good look at them. The goats were chopping away at the vegetation on the lot next to the Old Elk’s Building, which may be part of the entire property. I took photos from above and below, though I do believe the goats were avoiding me! The goats were on loan from Rent-A-Ruminant. As somebody who just that day removed some prickly plants from her yard, the goats seem like an excellent idea! I’m excited to see how the new McMeniman‘s develops.
