Category Archives: WA State – Pierce County

Sugar

15889040037_86c4053a16_kThere is a tiny candy store named Sugar in the Proctor District at 3901 N. 27th St. . With about 72 square feet, the store is full of all kinds of unusual and vintage candy. Sugar, which opened in August 2010, also creates wedding and birthday favors.

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Update 4/2017: Sugar has been out of business for some time. Last I looked there was a lego store there.

Holiday Lights on 55th between ‘D’ and Pacific

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Reindeer at the North Pole (or Watson’s Greenhouse)

 

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Dear husband and I went to see real reindeer today, Luckily we didn’t have to go to the North Pole (though that would have been fun!). Watson’s Greenhouse has a small herd (2) of the sleigh pulling helpers, When we got there it was really cold and the deer were taking a nap. I was very impressed with the size of their antlers!

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An eyeball bowling ball at Bass Pro Shop

15264688214_fa213f4f44_kThe new Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World Store at 7905 South Hosmer Street in Tacoma opened for business in October and its pretty great! It is huge (142,000 square feet) and full of camping, hunting and fishing merchandise. And there are some surprises including a restaurant with a full bar, a bowling alley with shark ball returns and bowling balls that look like eyes, a 12,000 gallon aquarium stocked with local fish (plenty of salmon), a boat showroom, stuffed wildlife exhibits, a lovely entry with a large fireplace and a holiday area that will soon house Santa. And outside in the parking lot there is a fire-tower. Apparently there are many Pro Bass Stores in other parts of the country, but this is the first one in Washington or Oregon.

 

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Morning Light, Cold but Pretty

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505 Broadway

viewI was lucky enough to attend a meeting today in the Skyroom of the 505 Broadway Building in Tacoma. It is a lovely condominium building constructed in 2009. At the building’s entrance are two stone lions. And there is a model of the building in the lobby.

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No One Else But You Can Feel Along the Grooves

muralI wandered off to revisit the lovely leaf mural on S. 43rd Street (310 East 43rd Street). But it was gone! Of course the bridge is still there, but there is a new mural. I had to consider it a while before I decided that although it was very different from the leaf mural, I really like it. My first impression when I drove over the bridge, is that it was swirls of colors, but when I took the time to get out of the car, I realized that it was words that said “No One Else But You Can Feel Along the Grooves”. The mural was created in 2013 by David Long.

To see the previous mural, go here.

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T.W.O. Coffee Shop

15558955217_28dfaf1430_kI was in Fircrest getting a hair trim (thank goodness!) and I had a little time afterward to have a bite to eat. T.W.O. is located at 1039 Regents Boulevard. Service was quick and friendly and my grilled cheese with tomato soup was tasty. The cafe has an eclectic vibe going one and I found a seat in the lovely November sunlight. Before the space was T.W.O., it was Green Bean Coffee.

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The Ginkgo Trees of DuPont

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A few weeks ago, I went on a photo walk in DuPont and noticed these Gingko trees. Somebody in the group mentioned that the leaves turn a lovely yellow. I can see that beginning, but our unseasonably warm weather must be keeping them green a little longer than normal. They are lovely anyway. I don’t know the name of the little park like area next to the history museum, but that’s where the trees are. I discovered on the internet that the tree is considered a living fossil and that the fruit smells bad. The species of tree was once widespread, but eventually ended up primarily in China. Fossils going back 270 million years have been found.

After Hours Club and the Yakima Self Serve Laundromat

15241324226_cb8c9e89a8_kI was curious about the location of the Lincoln District after hours club that was the scene of a homicide on 9/7/14, so I drove by in the morning hours to figure out where it is. 32-year-old Michael Ward Jr. was murdered that night and as of yet there is no suspect being held. I thought it was interesting that there is no signage, maybe that’s because it is an after hours club (what does that even mean?). The laundromat, which does have signage, has also been shut down. It is Tacoma’s 10th homicide this year. There is a make shift memorial in front of the building.

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