Thankful 2006

I hope you all had a happy Thanksgiving! I hope the pet turkey I photographed in N Tacoma survived the day!

I'm grateful for the opportunity Thanksgiving brings to stop and reflect on the many things there are to be thankful for in this crazy world. I'm so very thankful for my wife, daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren. I'm thankful for my extended family spread geographically from Tacoma to Washington DC (in one direction) and from Tacoma to Cabo San Lucas (in another). I'm thankful for my friends who have sacrificed (and would sacrifice) so much for me and who make my work possible. I'm thankful for the meaning and purpose that Jesus Christ has given my life. I'm thankful for the guiding light that is the Holy Bible, and for my friends who follow it authentically. I'm thankful to live in a city where God is at work.

“Hey! I don’t have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I’ve failed as much as I’ve succeeded ... but I love my wife, I love my life, and I wish you my kind of success.”

— Dicky Fox, in the film, Jerry Maguire

Pentecost Walk in Tacoma

My walking project is small potatoes compared to Tom Demaree's. Tom and his friends have walked 6,000 miles across the length and breadth of the United States, praying for our country as they go. Now Tom and his friend Kevin Roberts are going to specific cities across our nation and walking with the concerned citizens in each location. On October 21st they came to Tacoma.
Tom and Kevin lead what they call a Pentecost Walk. You can read about it at www.pentecostwalk.org. I was asked to design the route for the Tacoma walk, so I included our beautiful Wright Park, as well as Tacoma General Hospital and other points of historic and civic interest. Tom stopped the parade on the northern border of Wright Park to exhort the pastors who were among the 70 (or so) walkers.
We couldn't have planned better weather for the Pentecost Walk. It was a glorious day and our route included lots of fall color.
Autumn is a metaphor for death, but there was a wonderful sense of life among the people who walked with us this day.

Love, Snow and Nightfall

Love, snow and nightfall cover a multitude of sins. Tacoma is overall a beautiful city, but even the gritty parts are pretty at night. Crisp autumn nights are allowing me to grap some night shots. Here's a couple of our tall buildings downtown with freeway ramps along the right border of the photo. On the horizontal footbridge crossing the bottom third of the photo, you can see the two glass sculptures that stand like giant glowing swizzle sticks above the 15th st. offramp.
Zooming out a little allows you to see the permanent outdoor display cases of Chihuly glass sculptures on the east (right) end of the footbridge. (Please click on the photo to expand it.) You can also now see the glow of Pacific Ave. on the left. Thanks in part to the University of Washington Tacoma campus across Pacific Ave. from the Historical Museum (the domed building of the old Union Station), and an array of upscale restaurants, the streets of downtown Tacoma have come back to life in recent years.

As in other big cities, there are districts of Tacoma that never sleep. Here you see the steam rising from the industrial flats between downtown Tacoma and NE Tacoma on the far horizon.

Then there's our distinctive wooden event dome, glowing like a flying saucer in its ring of spotlights.

And here's what the new bridge construction looks like at night. Instead of raw concrete and iron rebar you see a string of pearls.

Linked Destinies

Nope. I didn't take these photos, but I knew you'd like them. My friend Sherry Lorentzen sent them to me. The new Narrows Bridge is actually further along than shown here; it's now getting its road bed installed.

I'm grateful that the road-widening on both approaches to the bridges is nearing completion, because the traffic is finally starting to flow a little more smoothly on Hwy 16. That's the highway that connects Tacoma to the Washington peninsula and to the beautiful city of Gig Harbor. I teach in Gig Harbor every Wednesday night, and as I spend time on the peninsula side of our bridge, I have a growing awareness of the intangible links between the communities of Gig Harbor and Tacoma. I believe that our two communities are going to become an increasing blessing to each other.

Well, Hello, Dahlia! Reprise

My Master Gardener tells me that I'm the only person she knows who says, "Doll-yuhs." She says, "Dowl-yuhs." I asked our friend Kevin from Yorkshire which way he pronounced the flower name. He said, "Day-leahs."

Well, whichever way you say it, it still doesn't smell like a rose, but it is a dramatic bloom. I couldn't resist these two on N 51st St. today.

May Your Soul Prosper

I've been walking through some upscale neighborhoods lately, around N Parkview Ln and N Lexington. I've seen some gorgeous houses, many with a Puget Sound view. I particularly liked the stylish entry of the house pictured above.

As I walk in our wealthier neighborhoods, I pray an inverted version of 3 John 1:2. In the first century, Christians generally had a vibrant faith but often faced economic and physical hardship. Therefore, the apostle John prayed that his friend, Gaius, would "prosper and be in health, just as your soul prospers." In other words, John prayed that his friend would be as healthy physically and economically as he was spiritually. Today, in our culture we tend to be more prosperous externally than we are internally. Therefore, I pray for my wealthy neighbors that their soul may prosper, even as they are doing well physically and financially.

Finding Community At Salmon Beach

Salmon Beach residents, Roxanne, Amelia and Timothy

Salmon Beach is perhaps Tacoma's most secluded neighborhood. Consisting of about 80 homes on stilts, it's located at water level on Tacoma's western shoreline, just south of Pt. Defiance Park. (If you use GoogleEarth, take a look at the satellite image of the long, single-file line of houses that comprise this neighborhood.) The only access to Salmon Beach is by way of long and steep footpaths from the cliff-top above, or by water. Residents must leave their cars in parking lots at the top of the cliff and hand carry their groceries down to their homes.

My friend, Terry, and I descended the terraced stairway to Salmon Beach today, and walked the single, narrow, sometimes tunnel-like foot path that comprises the neighborhood's one "street." We met long-time resident Roxanne and her children, and chatted about life on the waterline. The view is spectacular. One of the best views of the Narrows Bridge is from Salmon Beach, and "Beachers" can also see parts of Gig Harbor across the water, and some of the Olympic Mountains in the distance. Residents can fish, swim and boat from their front porches and decks (the saltwater of the Sound was crystal clear today).
Not that living at Salmon Beach is without its inconveniences. One man told us about having to lug over a hundred pounds of tools up the hill for work each day (the cliff-top parking lot is not secure against theft). I've already mentioned having to carry groceries down. Then there's the storms. Roxanne said that in our most recent windstorm she and her family had to evacuate their house because the sea-level wind was lifting it off its pilings.

But perhaps the biggest reason people choose to live at Salmon Beach in spite of its drawbacks is because of the sense of community they find there. When Roxanne's family had to evacuate their house, a neighbor with a secure building immediately took them in. If there's a heavy job to be done, the neighbors pitch in. If someone finds a cedar log floating free in the sound, they'll get a Salmon Beach neighbor to bring a second boat and lug the log to shore. Then 3 or 4 families will work together to cut and split it into firewood. Terry and I walked past beautiful firewood piles today!

The southernmost house of Salmon Beach

I must admit I envy the folks of Salmon Beach. They are surrounded by natural beauty and enjoy a real sense of community. And they have art! For example, they have Chloe, the mermaid by Marilyn Mahoney, and a totem pole by Chris Brooks.

Not to mention wildlife!

What Salmon Beach residents don't have are some of the building permits they need to improve their houses, and confidence that their cars up at cliff-top won't be tampered with at night. We're praying for you about those things, Beachers!

Change of Routine II: The Movie

Ahhh! No one is flying the plane!!!

No one was piloting the Boeing 757 because it was sitting quietly on the tarmac at SeaTac International at 2 a.m. So what was I doing peering into the empty cockpit of one of Delta's planes at that hour on August 24th? Aha! I thought you'd never ask.

My friend Rick Dupea had hired me to act in a promotional film he was directing for Panasonic Corporation. The film will promote Panasonic's servicing package for their own IFE (In Flight Entertainment) touch screen system.

Actress Carrie using the 9" Panasonic IFE touch-screen.

If you haven't flown recently enough to use an IFE, you're in for a treat sometime soon. Not only can you dial in the movie of your choice, you can elect to play any of a number of interactive games, competing with your fellow passengers. The system lists players' names on the screen, and tells you what row and seat your competitor(s) are sitting in. (I beat UW Business graduate Aaron on our first round of Trivia, but couldn't keep up with his mental pace after 3 a.m. You're the man, Aaron!) The IFE will definitely shorten a cross-country or international flight.

Yes, it was cool to act in a movie on a 757 in the middle of the night (the only time the production company could get access to the plane), but what I found most interesting was learning about the jobs of the other actors (most of whom were performing their real-life roles for the camera), and watching the film crew capture their creative footage.

My fictional travel companion -- but very real person--, blonde Carrie, will soon graduate and become a school teacher. Panasonic employee, Aaron, (sitting behind Carrie) travels to exotic places around the world selling the comapany's services, at the bidding of his boss, Ted (sitting behind him). Young Delta flight attendant, Mary, told us wonderful stories about her job and travels. We learned for example that there are a couple of active-duty flight attendants in their 90's -- yes, over ninety years old. (Wouldn't you want to keep working if it meant week-long layovers in places like Florence, Italy, with paid hotel?) Ground crewman, Bob, (not pictured) told us some of the most interesting stories about what happens at the airport at night and at those places near the airplane where passengers aren't supposed to go. Bob escorted us across the tarmac to the 757 as soon as he was sure the plane's engines were off. He explained that a ground crewman in Texas had recently gotten sucked into a low-slung jet engine. "It's not a pretty sight," Bob said, "you don't come back from that."

I'm sorry you won't get to see the finished movie -- unless you attend the airlines' trade convention in Miami next month -- but if you're interested I can explain the story to you sometime. It has a pretty straightforward plot with an upbeat ending. In the final scene, Carrie and I fly off into the sunset, sipping our tropical drinks and happily playing video games on our touch screens. And no one gets sucked into a jet engine.

Before closing this post, I just want to say it was great working with Rick Dupea. He's a well organized, clear-thinking and gentle director. Thanks for the memory, Rick!

Well, Hello, Dahlia!

Tacoma is a great city in which to stop and smell the roses. And a great place to admire the dahlias. And do both in the same place: the Point Defiance Park Rose Garden! You won't find a prettier spot on a summer day than this public garden. Special thanks to the workers and hobbyists who maintain it for us!

On my last visit to the Rose Garden, besides the roses and dahlias, I actually found a flower that stumped my very own Master Gardener. Kaaren couldn't tell me what this is; if you can, please leave a comment!

Change of Routine

Roderick on Dege Peak

I vary my routine during my two weeks summer vacation, even if circumstances require me to stay close to town. Today I went to Sunrise, Mount Rainier National Park, with some of our family. Son-in-law Ted, daughter Leslie and grandson Micah hiked with me for a couple miles along Sourdough Ridge, and then I went on alone to Dege Peak (elevation 7006 ft.). When I got to the summit, I found a woman there of my generation silently drinking in the magnificent 360° view. After catching my breath from the challenge of the final switchbacks, I quietly asked, "So is there someone to thank or did this all happen by chance?" The woman laughed and said, "Oh, there's definitely somebody to thank; it's all too perfect."

Here's a closer look at Clover Lake (elevation 5,751 ft.), visible in the photo above, just to the right of my wristwatch.

The hike to Dege Peak was lined with wildflowers. From late July to early August, the alpine meadows glow with colors, like the purple of this lupine:
From the top of Dege Peak I could look southward across snowy crags and see Mt. Adams in the distance:
And here's the view that I had from where I was sitting, of Sunrise meadow, and of Mt. Rainier proper. Do please click on the photo to enlarge it and get the full effect!
"The amazing thing," I said to the lady on Dege Peak, "is that this all registers on our minds as beautiful; where does the capacity to recognize this as beautiful come from?" "There's definitely somebody to thank," she said.

Watch For Breakdancers

Where have I been? On vacation! But I wanted you to see this new caution sign that appeared on Pacific Avenue, near our home. My guess is that it means "Watch for Breakdancers."

The Foursquare City

Ruston's View of Tacoma and Mt. Rainier

I don't plan to systematically walk the streets of any city besides Tacoma. However, there is one city that is completely encapsulated within my own. Partly for that reason, I have now traversed its every street. That little city is the town of Ruston, WA.

Industralist James Rust established Ruston as a company town for his employees. (Mr. Rust himself apparently lived on N 10th and I Streets in Tacoma; see my photo of his house below). Laid out as a square, Ruston covers a third of a square mile, with Pearl Street serving as its western boundary and Pt. Defiance park at its northern edge. I've highlighted Ruston on the map of my progress-to-date above. You can see some historic photos of Ruston at The Ruston Connection.
No longer a Company Town, Ruston is a predominantly middle-class residential community, serving as a gateway into Point Defiance park from Tacoma, and as a gateway into Tacoma by ferry from Vashon Island. Ruston's personality as a gateway city is primarily manifest in its eateries and shops along Pearl Street. Easily the most well-known of Ruston's food stops, and a must for visitors to the town, is the Antique Sandwich Shop at N 51st and Pearl. The Antique Sandwich Shop earned the eternal gratitude of our family by sharing the recipe for their chocolate espresso cheescake. (The sample below was prepared by my daughter, Leslie.)
The other place to eat in Ruston that visitors should try is Tatanka Take-Out. Try their bison burgers and tortilla wraps and feel good about the fact that you're getting 1/3 more protein and 1/10 the fat of a beef sandwich.
Ruston is an attractive city, and its citizens are friendlier than average. People greeted me as I walked Ruston's streets, and one yard --landscaped as a rocky beach-- offered free shiny rocks for children:

Taste of Tacoma

Every summer the Park District sponsors a mini-fair called "Taste of Tacoma" at Pt. Defiance park. I was walking nearby, and so detoured into the park to smell the food and watch the people. It was a perfect day weather-wise, so a great day for the festivities. Kudos to The Sound Community Church who was handing out free bottled water at the park entrance. Hurrah! for Habitat of Humanity too, who were framing a demo house while onlookers enjoyed corndogs and gyros.
I was glad to capture some "human interest" photos at the Taste of Tacoma, in order to assure my blog readers that the citizens of Tacoma are well-bred people of good taste.

She's A Lady

While photographing roses in the Pt. Defiance Park garden, I met this lady. If I hadn't already believed in my little Nikon Coolpix 8700 before seeing this photo, the resolution of this shot would have sold me!

Getting To The Point: Wondering About Beauty

I'm surprised to see how long it's been since my last posting; I've been walking more than blogging! Today I directed a geocaching event for my colleague's Dad's Club. While dads and sons scoured Pt. Defiance Park for hidden treasures, I toured the park's rose garden. I love roses, and make a point of taking time to stop and smell them. And photograph them. Here's my collection of One Inch Roses, collected photographically as I've walked Tacoma. Please click on the collage, and then click again with the magnifier cursor to get a better look:

Have you ever wondered about that? How is it that we recognize beauty as such? Sure Darwinism offers an explanation for male-female attraction, but why do we recognize a rose or a sunset as beautiful? Why do we perceive a mountain range, or an ice skater's leap as beautiful? I think about such things as I walk.

Cavanaugh's Coffe House Grand Opening

As my teaching responsibilities cool down, my walking heats up. The map above shows the territory I've covered by foot so far within our city limits. I've logged 123 miles in what I estimate will be be a 700-mile walking project.

On days like today (the temp. was predicted to hit 87°), I have a hard time ending my trek and returning to my other duties. It was a fun morning, a highlight of which was happening upon the Grand Opening of Mike and Linda Soden's Cavanaugh's Coffee House on N 41st and Cheyenne streets. My friends will want to support this locally-owned business. It is one of the most attractive and friendly espresso shops you'll ever visit, and yes, they have Wi-Fi. "Latte" Linda makes a great iced-latte with their espresso blend from Bremerton's Ootopia roaster. Mike's father, NW Photographer Ron Soden, provides the wall decorations: gorgeous black-and-white photographs (currently of local scenes). When you visit, you'll want to buy more than cofee and pastries because Ron's photographs, uniquely matted and framed, are quality works of art. (I was lusting after his framed pair of tall ship photos.) Congratulations, Mike and Linda, and God bless your new business!

Mike and Linda Soden, Owners of Cavanaugh's Coffee House,
on the first day of business at their new location,
N 41st and Cheyenne streets in Tacoma.

Bees and Blooms

I literally took time to smell the roses today. Sprintime is a great time to walk in Tacoma. My wife, Kaaren the Master Gardener, has enhanced my knoweledge and enjoyment of garden plants, and thus of my walking tour of Tacoma's front yards. I'm enjoying preserving the fleeting beauty of spring blooms and blossoms with my Nikon. The Coolpix 8700 continues to show its wonderful capabilities with close-ups. Be sure and click on the honeybee to enlarge this photo of the little clematis pollinator!

Getting To The Point, Part 3

I returned to Pt. Defiance Park on April 24th to hide a geocache I've dubbed "Home Office Eagle." You can read about this geocache and see comments by the people who've found it by clicking HERE.

I continued my exploration of the Park's forest paths on May 3rd, when I hit upon a glorious trail I would call "the path of giants." The trail runs in a straight NW-SE line for one mile, starting/ending at the picnic area (on the 5-mile drive) at the very tip of the point. This inspiring trail is overshadowed by many giant firs and cedars!
Speaking of giant trees, I stopped and took a self-portrait at the Mountaineers Tree I mentioned in a previous post. This 450-year-old tree towers up 218 feet, with a 7.5 foot diameter.

I love the woods, but Pt. Defiance Park has much more to offer, including spectacular views of Puget Sound and of Gig Harbor, the city across the bridge. On a clear day, the Olympic Mountains pop out in all their glory.