Playing Tourist in Seattle - Day 136

First, a visit to the Space Needle. Recently it had it's 50th birthday.

It was a hazy day but the views were still beautiful from the top.

For lunch we headed to Ivars Fish Bar under the I-5 bridge in the picture above. Here we found a duck couple sunning themselves and enjoying the view of Lake Union. This is the female.

The Space Needle sporting it's new paint job. The top was painted its original color for it's 50th anniversary.

Next, back downtown for a visit to the Seattle Aquarium. Oldest Daughter still loves the sea stars.

The otters are my favorites. The aquarium even has a couple of otter cams.

We arrived in time for a front row seat for the feeding of the seals. They have 2 Harbor Seals and a Northern Fur Seal. Photographing them through the chain link fence was a bit of a challenge. This particular day was dental checkup day.

Finally, the River Otters. My nemesis. They look so innocent but they are really stinky, destructive creatures.

Last stop of the day: Pike Place Market.

I don't know about you but I'm whooped. I hope you enjoyed your tour of Seattle.

May 15

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Womens College World Series - Days 152-154

There is no higher aspiration than the Womens College World Series for women fastpitch softball players. Youngest Daughter had the distinct honor and privilege of doing that this past week with the University of Oregon Ducks.

Day 152, May 31

Living the Dream. It seems like just yesterday when our little Duck worshipped the college softball players. Now she's literally on the other side of the fence. The girls signed autographs after their game for any fan willing to wait for one. They were tired after playing and it was late but it was so important to their fans.

Day 153, June 1

No game today for our girls. While they had practice and study hall (yes, they are still in classes until mid-June), we wandered around Bricktown in the rain. No one was out but a few Ducks.

Day 154, June 2

The girls played two games today before being sent home. Here, the outfielders before their second game.

Thanks for a fantastic season girls!! You should be proud of your accomplishment of being in the top 6 teams in the nation at the end of the season.

And now back to our regularly scheduled programming.

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Garden & Flowers - Day 135

May 14

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

More Eagles - Fighting & Fishing - Day 134

Warning! This is a rather long and graphic intensive post. Enjoy!

We were treated to an interesting situation on the beach on this particular evening. A bald eagle came out to hunt (we believe a young adult) and was intercepted and attacked by an osprey.

After a bit, the osprey left the area.

The eagle began its fishing expedition. It would circle and circle, looking for its prey in the water.

When it spotted a fish, down would come the talons and the eagle would move down to a lower altitude.

Then it would hover waiting for just the right moment to plunge into the water. All the while never taking its eyes off the prey.

Into the sound the eagle would go, with only the tips of it's wings remaining above the water, and emerge moments later.

When it came up empty handed, back to circling it went.

Over and over this played out until finally the eagle got tired and left. Empty handed for the evening.

Meanwhile, another type of drama was playing out on the beach. Seagulls are interesting birds. Scavengers. While the bald eagle was fishing, a seagull found itself a clam, flew up in the air and dropped it on the beach to crack it open. Immediately two other gulls swooped in trying to get a free meal. The result was much arguing with the result that one of the intruder gulls grabbed part of the clam. Never a dull moment!

Lastly, our new garden beginning to take shape.

May 13

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Mother's Day Pow Wow - Day 133

Today while attending the Oregon - UCLA softball game in Eugene, I wandered into the old McArthur Court where a Mother's Day Pow Wow was being held. It was a nice break.
May 12

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Final Regular Season Series - Day 132

Oregon's final regular season series was vs. UCLA. It was fun to attend the banquet and senior breakfast (that's college seniors not senior citizens).
May 11

©2012 Michelle Goodrum

Fort Lewis, Washington Military Museum - Day 131

Today I stopped at the Fort Lewis Military Museum (Washington State) on the way to Eugene, Oregon. Grandpa was stationed here during WWI. They are undergoing a major renovation and don't have all of their displays back up and ready for the public just yet but I enjoyed the displays they do have available.

I recognize many of these toy soldiers from childhood visits to the grandparents house in Cheney and have run across some of them while going through the many boxes from The Family Home.

Now I know what a Victory Pin looks like. I'm keeping my eyes open for it as we sort through boxes.

The outdoor display had many mean looking vehicles and missiles. The plaque for this photo says:

U.S. M1918 Howitzer on M1917A4 carriage
"155MM" Howitzer
World War I Era

May 10

©2012 Michelle Goodrum