Weekend of a Thousand Photos (or weekend of 1 GB of photos)
OK so the wait is finally over...by request I have decided to post some highlights from the weekend when I took a thousand photos, which was 2 maybe 3 weeks ago. Note I said highlights but that doesn't mean a few measely photos, try 48. This won't be any ordinary photo-blog-type-thing because this one will feature comments from your's truly, whether you like it or not. And beside they're my photos so I have a right to be sarcastic about them. And please comment!!! It took me the past 2 or 3 weeks to gather the effort to put this together so I want some indication that people are looking at this. In total though it took about 2 hours to pick the photos, 15 min to upload everything, and 2 hours to type all the text and make my comments.
Just a quick recap of what I did that weekend:
Saturday:
- Ferry rides from Fauntelroy-Vashon-Southworth for 3 hours
- Walk downtown including retail area, Pike Place, and Convention Center
Sunday:
- University Village
- Explore northeast Seattle including the following neighborhoods:
- Wedgewood
- View Ridge
- Madison Park
Leaning out of the car deck on the M/V Tillikum headed towards Vashon Island.
The M/V Issaquah near Vashon Island.
The M/V Evergreen State tied up at Vashon Island for the weekend. I was supposed to ride her that day but turns out she was sailing weekdays only; the Vashon run is two boats only on weekends. The gold band around her exhaust stack signifies 50 years of service. She is a relief boat and was filling in for the M/V Klahowya at the time.
Interior of the M/V Quinault. One of the oldest ferries in the fleet, built in 1927, she is usually a relief boat but she has one of the nicest interiors of any state ferry.
What can I say? The Quinault has a very comfortable and beautiful passenger cabin.
Did I mention how much I like the Quinault? Here she is as she approaches Vashon Island from Fauntleroy.
Here's the M/V Tillikum, another fine ferry and one of the regular boats on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth run.
And more of the Quinault's passenger cabin...nice ain't it?
The M/V Issaquah approaching Vashon from Southworth. Built in 1980, she is one of the regular boats on the route, though I have yet to ride her.
Sniff...such a touching scene. OK, OK, maybe I'm overreacting a bit, but there is a story behind this and you're hearing it. For many years, somewhere around 30, the Quinault was the regular boat on the Fauntleroy run. For this weekend, she returned to her old stomping grounds for extra service between Vashon and Southworth but she made two trips to Fauntleroy in the morning.
So maybe the Alaskan Way Viaduct isn't the most liked highway in Seattle, but then again neither is I-5; at least I-5 isn't in danger of collapsing...oh wait it is, never mind. But the Viaduct does offer some pretty nice views of downtown and the waterfront from the northbound lanes; this was taken from the 54 bus from West Seattle approaching Seneca St.
Intersection of Second and University looking south. The Smith Tower is in the background.
At Fifth and University looking south. The IBM Building is on the immediate left (go IBM!), the Fairmount Olympic Hotel is on the right, the Central Library is two blocks down on the right, and the Columbia Center ('bout time they restored the original name!) is the really tall building in the background.
Fifth Ave between Madison St and Spring St. The Central Library is right above, next comes the Bank of California Building (designed by John Graham and Company, same company as Northgate!), and finally the Columbia Center.
The fourth floor of the South Lobby of the Convention Center, my favorite building downtown. Very nice building.
And more of the Convention Center...this is about the hundredth time I've done this shot but who cares? The logo is really cool too.
And even more of the South Lobby of the Convention Center, this time from the first floor near the Pike St entrance. This fountain was actually the highlight of the Northwest Flower and Garden Show for me, and it wasn't even part of the show!
Seventh and Pike looking north. Pacific Place is on the immediate left.
Do I really need to describe this photo? The building looked nicer with the Frederick and Nelson sign up, but Nordstrom is pretty good too, though they don't have a doorman.
Third and Pine looking north. The Bon Marche (I will not say the M-word) is on the right and their parking garage is on the left. The 41 bus to Lake City is on the right heading north and one of the older trolley buses in original Metro colors has just turned onto Third from Stewart.
What can I say, I like the colors that were on display.
Third and Pine looking south. The old Washington Mutual Tower (the better looking one) is in the background on the right, and Seattle First National Bank Building (a.k.a. the box the Space Needle came in) is the black box at center left.
Lobby of the City Center building. Nice and airy design, at least the lobby.
Pacific Place. I like the building, don't know why though. The architectural style is appealing though.
Twist, one of the stores at Pacific Place. I thought the sign was pretty cool, although one from I-5 is better. And so ends Saturday...
Let Sunday begin. Now at the corner of 35th Ave and NE 96th St. Welcome to Wedgewood.
How many Rite Aids do you know of that have the neighborhood's name proudly on display on top of the store? None that I know of. Most likely this was a Payless Drugs previously and before that it was probably a good old Pay 'N Save.
The Wedgewood QFC. Not your typical QFC design but I think it's really nice and fitting for the neighborhood. I'm not sure if this has always been a QFC or if it was another market previously. Also note the Volvo 240, c'mon you know it's awesome and actually it complements the market quite nicely.
Another 240. Can't get enough of 'em, especially when they're in great condition like this one. The QFC from the previous shot is in the background.
Gee I wonder who's car that is...hehe. I was "borrowing" QFC's parking lot for a few shots. The 73 bus to downtown is in the background. The new hybrid buses look really nice, though usually you'll find me on the 255; basically this photo captures my two primary means of transportation.
At the corner of 35th Ave and NE 75th looking north.
QFC View Ridge Pharmacy. I've never seen a stand alone QFC Pharmacy before so I always thought this was a unique place every time I drove by.
Welcome to View Ridge. They gave the neighborhood the name for a good reason as you will soon see.
No this isn't one of the reasons but it's a pretty nice view. This is at 35th Ave and NE 76th St.
Now this is one of the reasons View Ridge is called View Ridge! A favorite corner of mine to stop, this is at 50th and NE 70th. This is another location I have at least a hundred pictures of, no joking either.
The North East Library at NE 68th and 35th Ave. My favorite library in the Seattle Public Library system. Period. Built in 1953, and expanded in 2003, the North East Library is one of the busiest, if not the busiest, brach library in the system. While the Lake City library was closed, the North East was also the closest SPL library for me; I have cards in both SPL and KCLS. Yes I did drive out there on weekends just to drop off and pick up materials; I know you're all thinking, "crazy bastard".
Simple, functional, yet attractive sign for the North East Library.
Did I mention how much I like the North East Library? This photo focuses on the 2004 expansion which created a new study/reading area.
Sure Sunday was nice but I think I forgot to mention how cold it was. Well cold for normal people, fine for shorts-wearing me. This is at University Village. Don't forget to donate to Children's Hospital!
University Village again. I dunno, I liked the angle of the shot. Pallino's is good too, if only they would give bigger servings...
Don't try attempting this (I won't discourage you though). I've done this several times: driving one handed with my G5 in the other just pointing and shooting; do you think I would really look at the LCD screen or viewfinder? Safety first eh? This was taken while heading northeast on Madison St towards Lake Washington.
Apartments or condos across the street from North Madison Park; that's the name of the city park, not the neighborhood. The building and the sky contrast nicely.
Ahh the lamented 520 bridge. Who hasn't cursed the damn thing? Even freeway loving, bridge loving me has cursed it, several times I might add including the same afternoon I took the photo since traffic was backed up and I had to take the backroads home. Completed in 1963, it closed for the second time in two weeks yesterday due to storm damage; it sure ain't young anymore.
Along 42nd Ave E in the Madison Park neighborhood. They have some nice looking houses out there.
Shops in Madison Park. Nice neighborhood to walk through with several small shops.
Well, maybe this should've come earlier but I was busy looking for a parking spot. But anyways, welcome to Madison Park.
Looking down Madison St towards Lake Washington. This is one use for two-way turning lanes, not the correct usage but it made for a good photo.
The independent market is a vanishing species, being replaced by mega-chains like Kroger. A few survive though, like the Red Apple in Madison Park. A nice way to close out Sunday.
Alright time to get back to reality. It's now 10:29 so enjoy these photos and good night all.
Just a quick recap of what I did that weekend:
Saturday:
- Ferry rides from Fauntelroy-Vashon-Southworth for 3 hours
- Walk downtown including retail area, Pike Place, and Convention Center
Sunday:
- University Village
- Explore northeast Seattle including the following neighborhoods:
- Wedgewood
- View Ridge
- Madison Park
Leaning out of the car deck on the M/V Tillikum headed towards Vashon Island.
The M/V Issaquah near Vashon Island.
The M/V Evergreen State tied up at Vashon Island for the weekend. I was supposed to ride her that day but turns out she was sailing weekdays only; the Vashon run is two boats only on weekends. The gold band around her exhaust stack signifies 50 years of service. She is a relief boat and was filling in for the M/V Klahowya at the time.
Interior of the M/V Quinault. One of the oldest ferries in the fleet, built in 1927, she is usually a relief boat but she has one of the nicest interiors of any state ferry.
What can I say? The Quinault has a very comfortable and beautiful passenger cabin.
Did I mention how much I like the Quinault? Here she is as she approaches Vashon Island from Fauntleroy.
Here's the M/V Tillikum, another fine ferry and one of the regular boats on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth run.
And more of the Quinault's passenger cabin...nice ain't it?
The M/V Issaquah approaching Vashon from Southworth. Built in 1980, she is one of the regular boats on the route, though I have yet to ride her.
Sniff...such a touching scene. OK, OK, maybe I'm overreacting a bit, but there is a story behind this and you're hearing it. For many years, somewhere around 30, the Quinault was the regular boat on the Fauntleroy run. For this weekend, she returned to her old stomping grounds for extra service between Vashon and Southworth but she made two trips to Fauntleroy in the morning.
So maybe the Alaskan Way Viaduct isn't the most liked highway in Seattle, but then again neither is I-5; at least I-5 isn't in danger of collapsing...oh wait it is, never mind. But the Viaduct does offer some pretty nice views of downtown and the waterfront from the northbound lanes; this was taken from the 54 bus from West Seattle approaching Seneca St.
Intersection of Second and University looking south. The Smith Tower is in the background.
At Fifth and University looking south. The IBM Building is on the immediate left (go IBM!), the Fairmount Olympic Hotel is on the right, the Central Library is two blocks down on the right, and the Columbia Center ('bout time they restored the original name!) is the really tall building in the background.
Fifth Ave between Madison St and Spring St. The Central Library is right above, next comes the Bank of California Building (designed by John Graham and Company, same company as Northgate!), and finally the Columbia Center.
The fourth floor of the South Lobby of the Convention Center, my favorite building downtown. Very nice building.
And more of the Convention Center...this is about the hundredth time I've done this shot but who cares? The logo is really cool too.
And even more of the South Lobby of the Convention Center, this time from the first floor near the Pike St entrance. This fountain was actually the highlight of the Northwest Flower and Garden Show for me, and it wasn't even part of the show!
Seventh and Pike looking north. Pacific Place is on the immediate left.
Do I really need to describe this photo? The building looked nicer with the Frederick and Nelson sign up, but Nordstrom is pretty good too, though they don't have a doorman.
Third and Pine looking north. The Bon Marche (I will not say the M-word) is on the right and their parking garage is on the left. The 41 bus to Lake City is on the right heading north and one of the older trolley buses in original Metro colors has just turned onto Third from Stewart.
What can I say, I like the colors that were on display.
Third and Pine looking south. The old Washington Mutual Tower (the better looking one) is in the background on the right, and Seattle First National Bank Building (a.k.a. the box the Space Needle came in) is the black box at center left.
Lobby of the City Center building. Nice and airy design, at least the lobby.
Pacific Place. I like the building, don't know why though. The architectural style is appealing though.
Twist, one of the stores at Pacific Place. I thought the sign was pretty cool, although one from I-5 is better. And so ends Saturday...
Let Sunday begin. Now at the corner of 35th Ave and NE 96th St. Welcome to Wedgewood.
How many Rite Aids do you know of that have the neighborhood's name proudly on display on top of the store? None that I know of. Most likely this was a Payless Drugs previously and before that it was probably a good old Pay 'N Save.
The Wedgewood QFC. Not your typical QFC design but I think it's really nice and fitting for the neighborhood. I'm not sure if this has always been a QFC or if it was another market previously. Also note the Volvo 240, c'mon you know it's awesome and actually it complements the market quite nicely.
Another 240. Can't get enough of 'em, especially when they're in great condition like this one. The QFC from the previous shot is in the background.
Gee I wonder who's car that is...hehe. I was "borrowing" QFC's parking lot for a few shots. The 73 bus to downtown is in the background. The new hybrid buses look really nice, though usually you'll find me on the 255; basically this photo captures my two primary means of transportation.
At the corner of 35th Ave and NE 75th looking north.
QFC View Ridge Pharmacy. I've never seen a stand alone QFC Pharmacy before so I always thought this was a unique place every time I drove by.
Welcome to View Ridge. They gave the neighborhood the name for a good reason as you will soon see.
No this isn't one of the reasons but it's a pretty nice view. This is at 35th Ave and NE 76th St.
Now this is one of the reasons View Ridge is called View Ridge! A favorite corner of mine to stop, this is at 50th and NE 70th. This is another location I have at least a hundred pictures of, no joking either.
The North East Library at NE 68th and 35th Ave. My favorite library in the Seattle Public Library system. Period. Built in 1953, and expanded in 2003, the North East Library is one of the busiest, if not the busiest, brach library in the system. While the Lake City library was closed, the North East was also the closest SPL library for me; I have cards in both SPL and KCLS. Yes I did drive out there on weekends just to drop off and pick up materials; I know you're all thinking, "crazy bastard".
Simple, functional, yet attractive sign for the North East Library.
Did I mention how much I like the North East Library? This photo focuses on the 2004 expansion which created a new study/reading area.
Sure Sunday was nice but I think I forgot to mention how cold it was. Well cold for normal people, fine for shorts-wearing me. This is at University Village. Don't forget to donate to Children's Hospital!
University Village again. I dunno, I liked the angle of the shot. Pallino's is good too, if only they would give bigger servings...
Don't try attempting this (I won't discourage you though). I've done this several times: driving one handed with my G5 in the other just pointing and shooting; do you think I would really look at the LCD screen or viewfinder? Safety first eh? This was taken while heading northeast on Madison St towards Lake Washington.
Apartments or condos across the street from North Madison Park; that's the name of the city park, not the neighborhood. The building and the sky contrast nicely.
Ahh the lamented 520 bridge. Who hasn't cursed the damn thing? Even freeway loving, bridge loving me has cursed it, several times I might add including the same afternoon I took the photo since traffic was backed up and I had to take the backroads home. Completed in 1963, it closed for the second time in two weeks yesterday due to storm damage; it sure ain't young anymore.
Along 42nd Ave E in the Madison Park neighborhood. They have some nice looking houses out there.
Shops in Madison Park. Nice neighborhood to walk through with several small shops.
Well, maybe this should've come earlier but I was busy looking for a parking spot. But anyways, welcome to Madison Park.
Looking down Madison St towards Lake Washington. This is one use for two-way turning lanes, not the correct usage but it made for a good photo.
The independent market is a vanishing species, being replaced by mega-chains like Kroger. A few survive though, like the Red Apple in Madison Park. A nice way to close out Sunday.
Alright time to get back to reality. It's now 10:29 so enjoy these photos and good night all.