Saturday, July 10, 2010

We Were In Washington!!

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Mt. Shuksan, North Cascades National Park, Washington
In my previous post, Arc'teryx in the Summer, Icy, Karen, Kirigalpoththa, Rainfield and Diane guessed the State we went exploring this summer is Alaska. Ebie guessed the place must be somewhere in the Salt Lake City Area in Utah which was the place for 2002 winter Olympics, while Amanda and Jag said they were clueless or can't take any guess. I really had fun in my previous 2 posts, and I thank everyone for participating and throwing their guesses. In my follow-up post, More Clues, I made the pictures a little bit more obvious, especially the picture of myself at the Key Arena. Ratty, who came in late to guess in the first post, was the first one to name the Washington State correctly in the follow up post. So, yes, we were in Washington from June 28- July 5. We then moved to Oregon late of July 5 up to July 7. Perhaps had I used this picture below in my first post, no doubt, everybody will say with confidence we were in Washington around Seattle area.
Space Needle, Seattle, WA
(perhaps the most famous symbol of WA)
I also thought that aside from the Key Arena, the orange structure of the Eagle in Olympic Scultpure Park in my follow-up post would give away the identity of Washington. 
Eagle, steel sculpture by Alexander Calder
Sharkbytes mentioned that the orange steel sculpture looks like that of Calder in the Grand Rapids. Very true, the sculpture above is one of the masterpieces of Alexander Calder, a world distinguished American sculptor and artist. The Seattle Art Museum uses an icon of Eagle to indicate the location of the Olympic Sculpture Park on its map of Seattle.This orange steel sculpture is also the most popular spot in Olympic Sculpture Park for people to take pictures.  
Calder's Eagle Sculpture and the Space Needle 
 Now, if you ask us, did we go to the top of the Space Needle? The answer is NO! First, they won't let us take the stairs for free or even for a reduced fee :( , haha! We prefer to go to the top using stairs, since we want to be different, plus what is climbing 650 ft anyway comparing it with climbing or hiking several thousands feet up in the mountains? Also, the fee is $18 per person to take the elevator? Well, not our kind of fun :) or we are simply cheap. :( Besides, I did the Empire State Building before in New York and was not thrilled at all with the experience of going up a building using elevator and fight with the crowd for a space at the top. I very much prefer a more peaceful walk. We opted to photograph Seattle from the ground, and waited for the following days to do real climbs in Washington's mountains and be one with nature. We had a great time at Washington, our trip was filled with numerous roaring waterfalls, most of them nameless as there are just too many waterfalls in its mountains. Aside from waterfalls, we tread on snow packed mountains and forests, beautiful alpine lakes and meadows, gushing river fed by glacier melts, wonderful ocean scenery at Olympic, wildlife such as salmon, deers, bald eagles, among many others. 
For my next post, I will bring you to North Cascades National Park, Washington.
The Joys of Hiking, North Cascades National Park, WA
Hope everybody is having a great weekend.

♥♥
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23 comments:

  1. You are right! The space needle would be too easy! And oh my! what a fun trip! Two weeks is just about right for this type of R&R! I have seen Seattle's City scenes, but not this gorgeous naturescapes!

    You have captured these photos that really make me want to go there, up high in the mountains. Hmmm, I have to accumulate vacation days.

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  2. Beth!!! i don't know but i feel so contented just looking at your hiking photos, it feels like you always bring us with you and for that i am always grateful. you and Khai have a great weekend too! :)

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  3. Wow, what is climbing 650 ft anyway comparing it with climbing or hiking several thousands feet up in the mountains!!!!

    Have a nice weekend.

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  4. Nice photos and write-up. Reminds me of my days at Seattle. The summers are always lovely there. Is Rainier also on your to-go list?

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  5. that's why you had to fly! maybe in time you'll be a globe explorer

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  6. sweet shot on the space needle with fabulous sky and excellent perspective on the eagle.

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  7. Hi, Betchai! Your photo of the space needle is great! The sky and the clouds at the background made it even more beautiful. Have a great weekend!

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  8. The Space Needle and Calder's Eagle look fantastic in your images. Looking forward to more posts from your trip.

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  9. PS, hi betchai,

    eto ang kompletong turo sa "self-portrait"

    http://www.youtube.com/user/PhotoGavin#p/u/11/mNIkLBclo2k

    Dave here.

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  10. Sounds like a fun trip and packed with activity, betchai. Gorgeous pictures..

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  11. Betchai,you made me green with envy again. You know what,i can hardly take 4 flights of stairs, what more 650ft? I'll be dead! lol!

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  12. Wow...that is one very special sculpture. Eagle?

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  13. Great shots. I don't blame you for not paying $18 for an elevator trip? Crazy. Hope you are having a fantastic weekend.

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  14. Awesome trip! I am agree with you then it comes to pay unnecessary fee.

    Oh, I didn't know D.C got snowy mountains!

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  15. It didn't occur to me to guess WA! I've only seen the Space Needle from afar so I haven't been up there either. Looks like you had fun nevertheless.

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  16. Sounds like you had a great and fun adventure. $18 to ride in an elevator? That's too much..

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  17. that was me- zen, kulasa, amihan hehehe,

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  18. The space needle would have definitely given it away. That is a Seattle icon. I have never been to Washington state, but your photos make it look so desirable.

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  19. Beth, my, my, such wonderful capture of naturescapes. Would love to see it for myself. Such fun guessing game, my loss for missing it. You take very good photos, Beth. Just the right touch -it's almost like looking at a travel mag. Glad you're back safe. Have a nice one, friend!

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  20. How fun :) I love the sculpture and the space needle is always so cool to see. As always Betchai, amazing shots.

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  21. Been in the space needle... and every other tall thingie like that in cities we've been to. Did you know that Grand Rapids, MI has a big orange Calder that is their symbol? It's name is La Grande Vitesse, but it usually is just called the Calder statue.

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  22. Didn't know Washington is this beautiful! Lovely photos!

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!!