For The Love of Travel

My favorite places, photos and stories

October 7, 2018
by Lids
Comments Off on 4/10/18 Seattle, Washington

4/10/18 Seattle, Washington

A much-awaited visit to Chihuly Gardens and Glass – Dale Chihuly studied art in Florence, then weaving and sculpture in Washington; travelling to Venice to work at the Venini factory on the island of Murano, where he first saw the team approach to blowing glass. He was involved in a head-on car accident during which he flew through the windshield.  His face was severely cut by glass and he was blinded in his left eye. After recovering, he continued to blow glass until he dislocated his right shoulder in a 1979 bodysurfing accident. No longer able to hold the glass blowing pipe, he hired others to do the work. Chihuly explained the change in a 2006 interview, saying “Once I stepped back, I liked the view”. Chihuly describes his role as “more choreographer than dancer, more supervisor than participant, more director than actor.
Nothing really prepares you for the beauty of Dale Chihuly’s glass masterpieces! 
Sublime twirly, twisty, bulby roundly glass shapes in the garden in virtually every primary colour in the palette 🎨! 
And the internal exhibits – the wows continue – beautiful chandeliers, fluted bowls, Navajo inspired glass……JUST. WONDERFUL.
An Atlas Obscura recommended visit to the The Arctic Club doesn’t disappoint! It was formed in 1908 by successful veterans of the Klondike Gold Rush. The 128 ft. Arctic Club building is in the Beaux-Arts style; it is known for its terra-cotta walrus heads, indicative of the club’s name, which adorn the third floor facade; its Polar Bar (hahaha) and delightful Northern Lights ballroom/convention room. A gentleman’s club until the early 1970’s, its been renovated as a hotel and is now part of the Hilton chain.
An unusual thing to go looking for on holiday I know, but the Fremont Troll beckoned! In 1989, Fremont Arts Council launched an art competition to rehabilitate the area under the bridge, which was becoming a dumping ground and haven for drug dealers. Later that year, a team led by sculptor Steve Badanes, won the competition and was inspired by the folktale Billy Goat’s Gruff.  It’s made from rebar steel, wire and 2 tons of messy ferro-concrete, 18 ft tall with a shiny metal eye and crushing a Volkswagen Beetle in his left hand (which was a time capsule for Elvis Memorabilia for a while until vandalized). 

October 7, 2018
by Lids
Comments Off on 5/10/18 Seattle, Washington

5/10/18 Seattle, Washington

The futuristic Space Needle, a 1962 World’s Fair legacy, is its most iconic landmark. 

The tower’s futuristic design was inspired by the idea that the fair needed a structure to symbolize humanity Space Age aspirations. Recently renovated, it has a breathtaking multi-level floor-to-ceiling glass viewing area and an outdoor observation deck with open-air glass walls and glass benches.Two observation levels are connected by a grand wood, steel and glass staircase that coneects the upper level to the world’s only glass rotating floor below.   Yes, yo do get dizzy standing on it. 

 

Yes, I did go a bit nuts photographing the landmark from different vantage points! Haha! The night shot of the Needle was particularly challenging because trucks were doing deliveries to the site when I was there around 10pm…and driving past my spot when I was taking a long exposure….grrr. Anyway, finally achieved it. I think it’s the best of the lot. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Took myself off to Seattle’s Public Library as I’d read about the extraordinary Level 4…the Red Hall…and wanted to take some pics. The experience of walking around the hall is at once thrilling and slightly disorienting. Its blood-coloured curving walls and walkways, as well as the organically shaped interior windows, do strongly bring to mind the cardiovascular.  The Red Hall is an architectural gem!

Then to MoPop, a museum dedicated to contemporary popular culture. I particularly enjoyed “Wild Blue Angel: Hendrix Abroad 1966-1970”, which offered a contemplative loook at his life spent on the road as he catapulted to fame – through interview clips, and his diary where recounts friends, shows and experiences on the road.  The 700 guitar sculpture was pretty cool as well. 

Last night, I drove past the Elephant Car Wash in the city and was taken by the rotating image. Some history…in the 1940s, Eldon Anderson and his business partners opened the Five Minute Car Wash, one of the country’s first semi-automated car washes. Over the years, Anderson used some of the skills he learned as a heavy equipment operator and builder to invent the first truly hands-free car washing system. In 1951, he convinced two of his younger brothers, Archie and Dean, to partner with him on a new enterprise: Elephant Car Wash. Now there are 14 locations, but Battery Street downtown (where I was driving) is the best known.  Its rotating, pink neon sign—which has appeared in movies, music videos and ads, and has attracted patrons ranging from the Secret Service to Elvis Presley—is said to be one of the most photographed landmarks in Seattle.

 

October 7, 2018
by Lids
Comments Off on 4/10/18 City skyline, Seattle, Washington

4/10/18 City skyline, Seattle, Washington

Seattle, a city on Puget Sound in the Pacific Northwest, is surrounded by water, mountains and evergreen forests, and contains thousands of acres of parkland.

Washington State’s largest city, it’s home to a large tech industry, with Microsoft and Amazon headquartered in its metropolitan area.

The Port of Seattle seaport generates 9,000 direct jobs with $2 billion of personal income,  resulting in $1.8 billion of business revenue and $183.7 million state and local taxes. In addition, the port is a critical link connecting Washington businesses with global markets, and supports the 40 percent of jobs in the state that depend on trade.
Yesterday, a 13 hour day of travel and photographs, as weather forecast predicted 100% rain today… so glad I made the effort, its bucketing!
These city views were taken at the Seattle Space Needle, while on a boat cruise on Elliot Bay, and visits to Dr Josef Rizal Park, Kerry Park and Pier 66.