Author Archives: admin

Brown’s Point Lighthouse

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Brown's Point Lighthouse by Gexydaf
Brown’s Point Lighthouse, a photo by Gexydaf on Flickr.

What a lovely day to visit Brown’s Point Lighthouse. The sun was finally shining and the waterfront park was full of families out to see the 1933 lighthouse, the keeper’s cottage and the boathouse. The 3 bedroom cottage is available for rent by the week ($800 during the summer).

The first lighthouse keeper and his wife tended the lighthouse and lived in the cottage for 30 years. In addition to the normal job duties, they grew a garden, planted an orchard and gave music lessons.

http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=651

http://www.lighthousefriends.com/light.asp?ID=121

Star Lite Swap Meet

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Star Lite Swap Meet

Originally uploaded by Gexydaf

I was driving around this evening looking for an interesting place when the Star Lite Swap Meet appeared in all its glory! Located at 8327 S. Tacoma Way, in Lakewood The drive in opened in 1948 and it was the second drive in to open in Tacoma. It closed in 1996. It now functions as a swap meet.

To see a photo of the property from 1957 go here
http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?un=9&pg=1&krequest=subjects+contains+Star-Lite+Park+In+Theatre+and+Tacoma+&stemming=&phonic=&fuzzy=&maxfiles=

Auto Lube and Espresso

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On Thursday, I stopped for an oil change at Auto Lube and Espresso at 1202 S 38th St, Tacoma, WA 98418.   The Auto Lube always take about 10 minutes and they always do a good job.  While waiting I went over to the onsite coffee kiosk for an iced tea.  They serve coffee from the locally based (Sumner) Dillanos Coffee Roasters.

UP Library

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Today I finally went to the new Pierce County Library at 3609 Market Place W. University Place, WA 98466. What a welcoming library it is! It is, the layout is open with lovely light (on a rainy day). I’m not use to self checkout, but it was so easy to grab the book I had on hold and scan away. I especially like how the space flows into the entry area. Based on the number of patrons, other folks are also enjoying the space.

http://www.piercecountylibrary.org/branches/west-county-branches/university-place/new-university-place/Default.htm

 

Chevys Fresh Mex

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Chevys Fresh Mex by Gexydaf
Chevys Fresh Mex, a photo by Gexydaf on Flickr.

I love Chevys (there is no apostrophe!) for their fresh chips and salsa. Yum. I’ve not been to another Chevys, but I see on their website that they have restaurants in 14 states, with 2 in Washington. They have been here for over ten years.

Projecting Drop

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In December 2010, Tacoma received a new piece of public art known as the Projecting Drop by artist Jill Anholt. It’s located at 1250 Pacific Avenue and is part of the South Park Plaza Garage, a green facility. The art stands 25′ high and I appreciated it even more when I got close enough to really study it. I love the ripples!

Spaceworks Tacoma says it best, “The soaring wall is covered in 1″ hexagonal, blue and green tiles that cascade from top to base, then ripple outward toward the street. Embedded in the sidewalk tilework is a quote from an 1891 edition of the Tacoma Ledger : “From amidst a sombre forest of firs a city has arisen as by a stroke of an enchanter’s wand. Tacoma looks forth like a new Venice over the glassy waters and prepares to handle the commerce of the world.” The art was installed on the site of a Turkish Bathhouse! For the full story, go here:

http://spaceworkstacoma.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/a-watermark-for-tacoma-art-and-architecture/

http://www.jillanholt.ca/

 

65-foot fishing vessel Shenandoah

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Today the family went to the Harbor History Museum at 4121 Harborview Drive, Gig Harbor. I hadn’t even realized that they had built it, but its been there for a couple of years now. It’s really a nice museum, well thought out with plenty for the kids to do and a nice variety of exhibits for everybody. I especially liked the Shenandoah, a local fishing vessel that was built in 1925. The ship is being publicly restored and will eventually be available for tours. Looking at it, I could just imagine all the stories that it could tell. http://www.gigharbormuseum.org/ShenandoahProj.html

Also of interest was the restored one room school house. There were about 30 desks, close together with the teacher’s desk in the front and the heating stove in the back.

More info on the museum can be found here.
http://www.harborhistorymuseum.org/

Fircrest Golf Club

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Fircrest Golf Club by Gexydaf

The 160 acre, 18 hole Fircrest Golf Club opened in May 1923. While I don’t play golf, I still appreciate the lovely grounds. I was there for an event and the meal I had, the three salad plated, was very tasty.

http://www.fircrestgolf.com

Morning Light at Union Station

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I was out and about unusually early this morning and just loved the light on Union Station at 1717 Pacific Avenue. The station was constructed in1911 by the architectural firm of Reed and Stem (who also designed Grand Central Station in New York City) and was originally used as a passenger station. In 1974 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was abandoned in 1984 and in 1990 – 1992 it was renovated for use as a courthouse of the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. The statue out front is called New Beginnings and was sculpted in 1984 by Larry Anderson.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_Station_%28Tacoma,_Washington%29

http://www.unionstationrotunda.org/

And here is one more photo taken 5/2/14

14097135704_7841d14e2b_b(1)

Syd’s Shoe Repair

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IMG_0814.JPG by Gexydaf
IMG_0814.JPG, a photo by Gexydaf on Flickr.

Syd’s Shoe Repair is housed in a very small building at 4605 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. The 420 sq.ft. structure was constructed in 1925 and renovated in 1975.

There aren’t many places to have your shoes fixed nowadays. Most of us wear our shoes until they have a problem or we’re tired of them and then we buy new.