Monthly Archives: February 2017

Decline to Sign, I-1552

There was a rally today (2/25) against Washington State Initiative 1552, which would “repeal critical protections for transgender Washingtonians” (Source). The news reports that there were over 2,000 people there and I readily believe that. I was delighted to see many people I know there supporting themselves and their transgendered friends and family. I started at the railing, but moved up to the sky bridge, where the view was better, though it was more difficult to hear (of course).

I was standing on the sky bridge when a young mother came out with her child who was maybe three. They walked over to see the cheering crowd and she turn to her child and said “look how many people love us!”. It was a lovely moment.

Later I found my first Tacoma Rocks Rock which I later hid. Oh and there is a photo of a flower on my table at lunch and some of the old buildings on the University of Washington Campus.

 

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Folk Art in West Seattle

Dear husband and I were recently in West Seattle and I took the chance to check out some folk art, roadside attractions. The first stop was at 5274 44th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA and that home had some wonderful tree carvings in the front. Dear husband especially enjoyed the fairy hanging out on the chimney. The roadside attraction info can be found here. This is a private residence, but the art can readily be seen from the street.

The second stop was the nearby Walker Rock Garden at 5407 37th SW, Seattle, WA. I remember going to see this rock garden more than 20 years ago when it was open one Mother’s Day. I was so impressed. Here are some older photos from when I begged a peek. The amazing rockery was created by Milton and Florence Walker and the property has since sold. I’m not sure of any future plans, but it would be so wonderful if it was again opened up to the public on special occasions. The roadside attraction information can be found here and there is an Atlas Obscura entry, with some good photos, that can be found here. This is a private residence and not open to the public.

 

 

Pierce County Library Administration Building

My group had a tour of the Pierce County Library Administration Building at 3005 112th St E. Tacoma, WA 98446-2215 and I loved getting to see where the books come into the library system and are process. I didn’t realize there is actually a small public library in the lobby of the building. I’m especially enamored with the wonderful, space saving shelving that wheels flush. And there was a glimpse of the bookmobile! Little known fact, I applied to drive/manage the bookmobile many a year ago! Anyway it was a great tour.

 

Potato Chip Nachos at Southern Pacific, Tacoma

So a while back Buzzfeed proclaimed that Pacific Southern at 3832 S. Pine Street Tacoma, WA 98409 had one of the best nachos in America. It was one of only thirty restaurants to get this honor and the only restaurant in Washington State.  I made a note to go try them sometime. The Buzzfeed link is here and the Facebook Page for the restaurant is here.  All we ordered for two of us for dinner was the nachos and we ate about 1/2 of them (all the pulled pork). They were delicious and very filling. I hadn’t realized that the nachos themselves were potato chips, so that was a first for us.  I didn’t think to take a picture until we were part way through, but there is a better photo on the Buzzfeed link. Other dishes of note included Waffles and Chicken, catfish, grits and cinnamon roll French Toast.

The service was great. This restaurant had previously been known as the Pinecone and it is across the street from the Tacoma Mall.