Tag Archives: Point Defiance

Jellies at Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium

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imageSqueezing in a little last bite of summer, a bunch of us went to to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium  to visit the jellies and the big cats. It was such a treat because one of the group of our happy group actually volunteers at the zoo and was able to tell us about the animals. I was so busy chatting with my friends, that I forgot to take many photos! Perhaps the dearest of the exhibits was the cloud leopards cubs even though they just slept there in a big pile of darlingness.

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The Dahlia Trial Gardens at Point Defiance

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When I think of large displays of dahlias I usually think of the Connell’s Dahlia or perhaps the Washington State Fair. But Point Defiance Park also has a large display, the Dahlia Trial Gardens, which is right next door to the Rose Gardens and everything seemed to be in bloom!  I had gone to join my good friends at a picnic and really enjoyed my time with them. Afterwards I wandered all the gardens, enjoying the sunshine and snapping away. This Dahlia Trial Garden is one of eight in the entire United States that is sanctioned by the American Dahlia Society. It is managed by the Washington State Dahlia Society. Post Defiance has an excellent article on the gardens.

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Dalco Passage

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12280410435_512a2bf47b_c(1)While others were watching the Superbowl, I went out to give my new camera a spin. It was kind of eerie being out with almost everyone watching the game. Though there were plenty of police and taxis.  I wandered through Five Mile Drive in Pt. Defiance and took a shot of Dalco Passage, thinking that I would find a fascinating history of Dalco, but no such luck. All I can find is that Dalco Passage is a tidal strait in the Puget Sound, located between the southern end of Vashon Island and Tacoma. Below are a couple of more shots including the sweet beggar of a raccoon (which I didn’t feed). And go Seahawks!

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The Tiger at Zoolights

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11471488994_e2bb98b9e1_bZoolights at has a new tiger light and its spectacular. We had a perfect Zoolights evening, not too cold, no rain and light crowds. While we were there, we checked out the aquarium and of course the other lights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Point Defiance Ruston Senior Center Community Garden

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9695554301_a9906875f1_zPoint Defiance Ruston Senior Center at 4716 N. Baltimore St., Tacoma has a community garden that I went to visit today as part of the 2013 Community Garden Harvest Tour. Actually I got a late start, so it was the only garden I got to. Guess that makes it the best! Really it was a very nice smaller garden. I was looking at it through the fence and somebody who works at the center came out to open up the gate for me. The garden, which had both vegetables and flowers, is part of the Master Gardener Program sponsored by Washington State University, Pierce County Extension.

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Owen’s Beach on a summer day

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Dear daughter and I were going to go to one of the local pools, but it was packed! So, I suggested Owen’s Beach in Point Defiance, Tacoma. It was a great choice.The weather was perfect, there was a comfortable crowd and I found a parking spot in the shade. We were bold and went out into the water and some nice lady was right when she said that it wasn’t cold after about five minutes. That’s because my feet had lost all feeling!

The park, which was named for Floyd E. Owen, a Metro Parks employee of 48 year, has plenty of shoreline/beach, picnic areas, restrooms and a concession stand.

http://www.metroparkstacoma.org/owen-beach/

Santa in the Shark Tank

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When I heard that Zoolights at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium was featuring a scuba diving Santa on select days, I knew that we had to go! So, despite the fairly heavy rain, yesterday dear daughter, her dear friend and I went off to the zoo. It was really great! The rain mostly stopped and it was pretty temperate. I thought parking would be a snap, but the lot was almost full. Must be the pull of Scuba Santa! There was a short wait to see Santa, but when we got in we had a pretty good view and didn’t feel rushed. Everybody was having fun and the kids really got a kick out of it!

Vashon Island Viewpoint

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IMG_0291.JPG by Gexydaf
IMG_0291.JPG, a photo by Gexydaf on Flickr.

Seems like whenever we have out of town company I take them on the FIve Mile Drive at Point Defiance Park. Today’s new place is the Vashon Island Viewpoint, which not surprisingly provides a lovely view of Vashon Island. While there we ran into the usual suspects.

Japanese Garden at Point Defiance

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The new place of the day for yesterday was the Japanese Garden at Point Defiance (5400 North Pearl Street). Their website says “Azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese cherry trees, crabapples and large and small pines flourish in the Japanese garden. An oriental footbridge, waterfall, Japanese lanterns and a small “tea house” further enhance the grounds. The garden provides a peaceful area to enjoy a bit of solitude and is especially enchanting in early spring. The Capital District of Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs helped to establish the garden in 1965 and continues to provide support.”

Science and Art Institute (SAMI)

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SAMI is a Tacoma Public School located in the lovely Point Defiance Park. The facility itself isn’t much to speak off, though there are some nice artistic touches. SAMI’s website says “The Science and Math Institute creates an inclusive high school learning community that provides integrated, inquiry-based experiences utilizing our natural and community resources, combining science, mathematics, and the arts.

The Science and Math Institute opens in the fall of 2009 as Tacoma School District’s newest public high school for students beginning their ninth grade year. SAMI will grow into a full four year high school with the 2009-2010 freshmen class.”

http://www0.tacoma.k12.wa.us/schools/hsx/sami/