Category Archives: Poulsbo

The Guardian Stone, Poulsbo

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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!

 

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Viking Ship Mural

15897521359_44e6d43f4c_kWhile Poulsbo was indeed settled primarily by Norwegians and other Scandinavian immigrants, sadly the Vikings did not make an appearance. But perhaps now they have through James R. Mayo’s humongous mural on Boehm’s Chocolates on Front Street. The mural was painted in 2011. I was surprised to learn that until World War II Norwegian was the dominate language in Poulsbo.

While visiting the small city for a seasonal day trip, I also captured a few Christmas photos.

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Poulsbo Marine Science Center

11640381284_6ba1f0d4b4_b(1)Poulsbo Marine Science Center at 18743 Front St NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370 was my choice while my dear husband perused antique stores in the charming town of Poulsbo. The center is free, though donations are encouraged. There is a large open touch tank as well as several aquariums with such great things as jelly fish, clown fish, sea stars, sea anemones and an octopus (pictured above).

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Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse and Year Three

9594209995_74f9a40b1c_b(2)It’s been three years since I’ve started this new place of the day project and as last year I wanted to pick an extra nice new place.  The first anniversary I picked the Pagoda in the Chinese Reconciliation Park and last year I picked the Legislative Building in Olympia. This year dear husband and I went to Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse. Now I know that another coffeehouse doesn’t seem all to impressive, but this is my all time favorite coffeehouse. It was comfy seats, great coffee and food, an upbeat staff and a tremendous view.  I ordered my iced Americano and happily sat in a comfy stuff chair facing the window. Life was good.

Looking back at the third year of this project, I have some new observations:

  • This year I’ve added a new continent, Australia, as well as a return trip to Texas and a hop, skip and jump over into Idaho.
  • My most popular type tags are Tacoma, WA, Lakewood, Art, Coffee and Restaurant.
  • My most popular posts for the year have been FedEx (really?!), Time to Stop U Betcha, Haunted Tacoma — Children’s Industrial Home Site, Loews Movie Theater, Casablanca Apartments, St. Rita of Cascia Italian Catholic Church, Marcato Condominiums, the Umbrella Mural on the Storage Box, Five Guys, the Flower House on Vassault and the Snohomish River Trail.
  • Some of the places I checked out alone, but I often brought my husband, daughter and occasionally dogs along for company. They are good sports about the whole thing. Especially the dogs. Since dear daughter is now in college (college!), we’ll be seeing a little less of her.
  • I did miss a couple of days. There were a few days that I was sick and the weather was bad and a couple of days that things just got away from me. It’s OK.
  • Several of this year’s places have gone out of business including TOP Foods (in progress), Movies to Go, Van Lierop Bulb Farm, Park Avenue (I think), the admin office for Tacoma’s School of the Arts and the Norman Bates Motel.
  • I went to some unusual places including a Davy Crocket’s Wife’s grave, the Roslyn Cemetery, Ginkgo Petrified Forest, Washington State University, Australia (Great Barrier Reef, Wild Dolphin Resort, Sydney Opera House), Tacoma Elf Storage, Underground Seattle, Bonsai Gardens, Hiram Chittenden Locks, the Olympic Sculpture Garden, the Buddhist Meditation Center, the Fremont Troll and a park with the top of my dad’s submarine.
  • I have over 900 blog entries.
  • I plan to continue until it isn’t fun anymore or I run out of places, whichever comes first 😀

The encouragement that I’ve received along the way has meant the world to me! Thank you.

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Update April 2016: Happily the coffeehouse is still doing well and I managed to snag the same chair as before!

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Tangled FX 2.1 (Apr 3, 2016, 4:49:35 PM)
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That’s-A-Some Italian Ristorante

For her upcoming birthday my dear daughter asked to go to one of her very favorite restaurants, which is named That’s-A-Some Italian Ristorante. Located at 18881 Front St NE, Poulsbo, WA 98370 (360) 779-2266.  We have been going here for special occasions for years now and it is still as good. I had the catch of the day (grilled fish over angel hair pasta with a basil cream sauce), my daughter had Fettuccine Alfredo and her friend had the lasagna and all three dishes were top notch. They also have an extensive selection of wine and even a small wine shop, though we stuck with soft drinks. During pleasant weather (which is the opposite of what we had today) there is outside seating.

Their website is here
http://www.thatsasome.com/italian/index.html