Category Archives: WA State – Pierce County

Salmon Beach

 

10374461144_05be38c531_b(1) I’ve been wanting to visit Salmon Beach ever since I learned that there was a Salmon Beach! Friday night I was invited to a soiree at one of the cabins. It was great! Good friends and food, and an amazing view of the Tacoma Narrows and the Narrows Bridge. We even saw a seal 🙂

From what I’ve read, the community started as fishing shacks, but in 1934 electricity was brought in and the shacks became cottages. They are an eclectic collection of homes accessed by going down a long series of stairs (more than 200) and then a path.

My only regret is that I didn’t walk down to find the mermaid sculpture. Guess I’ll just have to go back!

To read more about the history of Salmon Beach try this link.

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Throwing Mud Gallery

mud Luckily my friend reminded me that it was Art Mingle this afternoon. I decided to stay out of the main action downtown and go to the only option in Tacoma’s Old Town. It is Throwing Mud Gallery at 2212 North 30th, Tacoma, WA. They were very pleasant and told me that their gallery items were all regionally made (and really great!). Besides the gallery, there is studio space for throwing pots and painting and a work/party area (pictured). They offer all levels of classes. I was particularly interested in the monthly ladies night out which involves painting, snacks and wine. Throwing Mud’s website is here.

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Gallucci Learning Garden

photo 2 (1)This salamander at the Gallucci Learning Garden (South 14th & ‘G’ Street) was featured in several gardens when the Community Garden Tour occurred. It is really a sweet garden with a large wagon, a lovely round courtyard, shoes filled with plants and, of course, plenty of plants. The garden, which was named in honor of local activist Bob Gallucci, was dedicated in August 2011. Their extensive website is here.

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The UWT Stairs

stairsI remember when these stairs were the site of South 19th Street and there was a Les Schwab TIre Center to the left. When the University of Washington opened their Tacoma branch they convert the street to these stairs. The designer really did a great job.

Starbucks at Green Firs, the story continues

photo(3)The new Starbucks in the Green Firs Shopping Center is at the site of the former Shari’s Restaurant. When this Starbucks opened, the smaller Starbucks in the center closed and of course the employees moved over.

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Going Down to the Scuba Beach

IMG_5143Today the Worldwide Photo Walk toured Ruston Way this morning. These stairs leading to this scuba diving beach were donated by the Washington Scuba Alliance. That little black dot in the water is a scuba diver 🙂

 

Lots of Hard Work at Stewart Garden

download1The Stewart Garden is situated on the grounds of Stewart Middle School in Tacoma. At first I thought it was a community garden, but now that I have read their blog, it is clear that it is a student researched, designed, created and maintained garden. The blog shows just how meaningful this is to the students.

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Bleach has great t-shirts

download7I met a dear friend at the Hub for dinner and while waiting for her I stopped into Bleach at 1934 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma in the University of Washington Tacoma area. They really had some nice, original t-shirts and I’m hoping to go back and pick up a few. They have a bunch of other great clothes too. Their website is here. They also have a nice selection of skateboards.

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Mondo Burrito at Taco Del Mar

10047462754_79739df771Dear husband and I shared a mondo chicken burrito for dinner. It came from Taco Del Mar at2700 Bridgeport Way W., University Place, WA 98466. The first Taco Del Mar opened in Seattle in 1992. Taco Del Mar’s website is here.

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Tree down at South Tacoma Avenue and South 43rd

9990988993_3bd7df0b77_bWind and rain, lots and lots of rain today and on our way home from a lunch out we can upon this tree which I thought was blown down by the wind, but no … it was struck by lightning! Reports have it that there is flooding all around Tacoma with geysers of storm water in the streets. The weather folks are predicting bad weather for tomorrow too. But everything is secure at our house and we will weather the storm.

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