Monday was Bookclub night and I found myself with not enough time to eat dinner (back planning on my part), but still wanting a little something. So I stopped at the 7-11 at 10649 108th Avenue Southwest, Lakewood, WA. It looked like all of the other 7-11s I had ever been in and I thought it was slightly more interesting to take the photo through my car window.
Fireboat #1 is one of five fireboats in the country to be a historic landmark. The boat, which is now dry docked along Ruston Way was constructed in 1929 and had served for 54 years.
Information from the Tacoma Park’s Department can be found here: http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/page.php?id=66
The detailed historic nomination form can be found here: http://www.nps.gov/maritime/nhl/fireboat.htm
For years now dear daughter and I try to visit Connell’s Dahlia Farm (10616 Waller Road E. Tacoma, WA 98446. Phone: 253-531
http://www.dahliasbylesandviv.com/
The Pacific Grill, located at 1502 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, has a splendid happy hour which extends fro 11:30 – 10 Monday through Thursday, 11:30 – 11 on Friday and 5 – 11 on Saturday. Besides the normal drink specials, most of the food on the bar menu is half price and delightful food it is! An appetizer handily makes a meal.
http://www.pacificgrilltacoma.com/
The restaurant occupies the lower level of the 1890 Waddell Building which was substantially renovated and incorporated into new Courtyard by Marriott Hotel in 2004. The building is listed on the historic register. A photo of the building as it appeared in 1979, prior to renovation, can be found here:
McKinley Park at 800 Park Street East sets above the downtown and dome districts of Tacoma. The park has a relatively steep terrain and is prone to being overrun with Himalayan Blackberry, English Ivy and Scotch Broom. Several times a year, the Park’s Department rents about 230 goats from Healing Hooves to clear out this unwanted, invasive vegetation. The goats must arrive hungry because they set right to work! They are contained inside an electric fence and each day of their six day stay, the fence line moves.
The park continues approximately 25 acres and the majority of it is undeveloped. There is a trail along the upper ridge of the park and some picnic tables. And there is also a rather nice play area for the kids and a skateboard park.
http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/news.php?id=221
We went back a couple of days later to see the work of the goats and they had gotten a great deal done. When we went back they were mostly on a coffee break! We also discovered the skate board park the second time.
The mascot of Lowell Elementary at 810 North 13th Street is the leopard. Per Lowel’s website, it is the oldest school in the district and began as a log cabin in 1869 at N. 28th and Starr Street. It burnt down in 1875 and was rebuilt in 1885, and named Lowell in 1890. In 1892 a new building was constructed and the 1885 building became the annex. In 1949 an earthquake hit the region, killing one Lowell student and making the building unusable. In 950 the most recent Lowell and the one current being used was constructed and in 1961 the primary unit was built. I was especially impressed with the mural on the side of an outbuilding on the site.
I seem to be doing a great deal of walking as of late and my feet hurt. So I took the plunge to have a fitting and purchase decent shoes. I haven’t had a fitting since I was 8 and put my feel in one of those metal sliding size things! None of that at South Sound Running, 1736 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma. The fitter guy simply asked me my size and watched me walk. Really, its a miracle that I could remember how with somebody watching! So, now I have my new shoes and a new pedometer, I’m ready to keep up this inspired walking program I seem to be on!
The City County Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma houses the Pierce County Superior Court and last Wednesday was the site of a gathering of teachers in support of their union (Tacoma Education Association, aka TEA) http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/pc/abtus/ourorg/supct/abtussup.htm
Flipping Out Burgers at 4008 S 12th St., Tacoma, WA 98405 has these amazing burgers! They are large, tasty and rather messy. Dear husband and I stopped and had a regular cheeseburger with fries and a mushroom swiss burger for lunch. Neither of us finished. My only regret is that I forgot about their sweet potato fries! Their food is good, their service is fine and their decor is cheerful, but simple. But really, we went for the burgers, not the decor. Also, they deliver in that darling little smart car!
Fisher Scones has been family owned for 100 years and has occupied the same corner in the Restaurant Building at the Western Washington State Fair (the Puyallup Fair) since 1915. This articles does a bang up job explaining their history!
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2016095246_scones06.html
