Chihuly

Wandering the Chihuly exhibit was an amazing adventure. I can't help but think today of where I was one year ago, Seattle, Washington. A wonderful city filled with sights, sounds, smells, and flavors all unique to itself. This city has so many unique things to do including a ride up the Space Needle, strolls through the Pike Market Place, standing at the feet of the giant Fremont Troll or laughing at the Center of the Universe sign. All are fun activities to check out. One of my favorite memories, exploring Chihuly Garden and Glass.

This exhibit is permanently displayed in an amazing building at the base of the Space Needle and has so many awe inspiring pieces of art displayed throughout. Upon first entering the exhibit one is immediately plunged into a dark space. One side of the room is lit, blue and pink columns of glass spike up from their squat bases and seem to be illuminated from inside. It was beautiful, I wanted to stay where I was and yet wanted to move forward to see what other pieces lie ahead. I moved into the next room and was overtaken by a change in feel from the first room. Instead of bright blues and pinks the art displayed were browns, whites, and beiges. All tied around the theme of Native American art. One wall was covered in brightly woven traditional Native American Blankets. Sepia toned images of Native Americans filled another wall. Highlighted among the beautiful baskets were Chihuly glass all designed and blown to encompass the feeling that the other art pieces showcased. I was staring in wonder at the beauty when a tower of blue in the next room caught my eye.

This next room seemed to be a showcase on the ocean. A large tower of sculpted glass took up the center of the room, in the corners small pieces resembling different creatures of the sea took up residence. Near the room entrance was an official Chihuly visitor photographer. She got the attention of those entering the room and offered to take a picture in front of this amazing display. I smiled to myself as I listened to her singsong countdown "1....2....3" before snapping each picture. The design of the room created the perfect environment for her song to resonate off the walls and fill the space. Eventually, I had circled the room and circled back around to the entry. The photographer had a moment free so it was now my turn in front of the camera. She expertly guided me and mom to set our belongings down where they wouldn't show in the photo then sang out "1..2...3" then snapped the picture.

 We traveled from room to room. One room overwhelmed with a ceiling loaded with blown glass pieces. One could stare up at the display for hours and still find new pieces. Some were abstract blown glass while others were designed to look like something, perhaps a small sea creature right in the middle of the piles of large saucers of glass. Other rooms boasted large gardens of glass made in bright yellows, reds, and oranges. The colored glass lit so bright that it almost hurt the eyes.

The final few rooms were filled with massive chandelier style displays. All swirls of glass pulled together in massive pieces that left me feeling a little nervous about standing directly underneath the piece, cause if it fell....ouch! I couldn't help but get drawn in to look closer. There were pieces hanging with swirls of green, another with fiery orange-red, still another a massive white sculpture reminiscent of an ice cave. It was the blue piece that caught my eye. It hung regally from the ceiling, twirls of glass all twining together to create a frosty lovely design. I sank into the feeling of observing these displays, allowing the feel of each room, each piece sink into me. We entered one final room, a room filled with towering blown glass bowls. Feeling much like Alice in Wonderland I stood below each bowl and snapped some photos. This final room seemed to be a catch all of all who had wandered into the building. It was filled with many others all eager to capture their images and study the beauty of the designs. For me though, the need to move away from the tight space and large numbers caused me to move forward, I was ready to leave the exhibit.

Sad to leave the wonder of the exhibit but ready to get away from the large amounts of people I pushed out through the exit doors...and stepped into a large solarium. The large space boasted more glass, suspended from the ceiling in an amazing flowering display. I looked up and noticed I could see the Space Needle from where I stood. It was so cool. Eventually, mom joined me and we ventured outside. Here was the garden with glass all woven into the individual spaces.


I loved seeing the black glass appearing to slide its way through black grass-like plants. Smooth purple and blue columns stood among green and blue flowering plants. Near the base of the space needle stood a large towering piece of red trumpet-like glass pieces looking much like a flower. I almost expected to see an oversize hummingbird come flying up to sip out of the red flowers. It was wonderful though. I continued to wander through the garden. The farther I moved into the garden, the fewer people I spied. I walked until I could go no further. Up against the back of the building the final corner of the garden boasted a quiet piece, a lovely tower of purple blocks of glass. This piece shot up from a plant which had purple flowers, much the same shade as the glass. It certainly wasn't an accident of design, I knew but loved the beauty of the matching colors of art to nature.

Seeing the Chihuly Garden and Glass was a beautiful experience that is unlike anything I'd ever seen. Something about these pieces drew me and left me in wonder at the emotions some of the pieces pulled from me. If I ever find myself in Seattle again (and I probably will), this is one place I'm sure you'll see me wandering through again, maybe a little slower this time, less in a hurry to see what is around the next corner. Instead I'll go and enjoy the experience truly, fully, and be completely present in the moment.

Lombard Street

There is was, rising up ahead of me, a massive hill just waiting for me to climb it. I stood at the base of it, catching my breath for a moment. I'd already hiked part way up but I'd yet to hit the most well-known part of this area. That's right, I was at the base of the famous curvy, windy portion of Lombard Street in San Francisco. It was nothing like I expected and yet, everything I had hoped it would be. I watched as people climbed the steps that flanked the street. Cars serpentined their way down the street, snaking along the red brick road.

I'd made my approach from below the street, starting down the hill at Columbus Ave. If you aren't familiar with the area, Columbus Avenue is more or less a level walk across to the waterfront. The walk up Lombard from Columbus starts innocently enough, a gentle incline that might trick the average visitor into thinking that this walk isn't such a big deal. Then you get a street up from Columbus, that's when the hill really hits. The gentle slope has now become a killing walk. Each step up the slope is work but I'm determined to get there to that famous curvy road and this wasn't it. I pushed forward, resting every so often to catch my breath and check my progress as I drew ever closer to my goal.

Finally, I made it to the base of the red bricked portion of Lombard. I was there....along with dozens of others, all anxious to see the road. As I caught my breath before beginning the climb up the steps I watched others who prepared to do the same. Many tourists had no regard for the cars on the road that were trying to continue their drive down Lombard. They stood in the middle of the road and took pictures while a car would come lumbering down the road, and across the intersection, never moving until the driver of the car honked. Finally, the pedestrians would move ever so slightly off to one side or the other so the car could pass, then they'd move right back into the middle again. I watched as the routine repeated over and over. No one really clued in that they should probably take pictures from the side of the road instead of the middle. I had to laugh a little as I shot some photos from the sidewalk. Then, unable to stop myself, I crossed the street and took pictures of those tourists I'd just been standing near.

I turned my attention away from the people in the street, I was ready to climb those steps and experience Lombard Street for myself. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that this portion was actually easier to walk than the rest previous portions had been. I climbed the tiny steps and slowly made my way, taking pictures of the cars and the houses along the way. It was interesting to see one house so high above the neighboring house that one might be able to step from the first houses driveway onto the rooftop of the next house. I listened to the squeak of the tires on red brick road as cars slowly passed by me. Occasionally, a driver would stop to take a picture resulting in the toot of a horn from another driver further up the road but amazingly traffic moved along the road at a good rate. In spite of the tourists I knew still hovered in the roadway at the base of this section, cars rarely stopped moving forward.

I stood off to the side of one section, really on the side of a driveway and stared at a beautiful blue house covered in bright pink Bougainvillea. Just a gorgeous sight to take in. Other houses along the way were equally beautiful. All manners of styles of house stood alongside the street but it seemed to me that all were made up of multiple stories to accommodate the narrow and steep hillside. I still wonder what the inside of one of these houses might look like. I also wonder how the homeowners put up with living on such a busy roadway. I think one might have to have the patience of a saint to live along this road.

I kept moving ahead on my climb up the stairs until I finally reach the top. I snapped some pictures of the city from the top. I was in awe of the beauty in front of me. It really was a pretty place to visit. For my trek back down the hill, I decided to cross and head down the opposite side of the street. I laughed to myself as I crossed among the clusters of people who had blocked the top of the roadway as well to get their pictures of the street. I smiled at those who were making their way up the steps as I zipped my way back down. It was a neat adventure to have, one I knew I would be destined to experience again. One actually, that I did experience in an unfortunate accidental climb up the side approach to the top of Lombard Street. (Which for the love of God. Don't do it if you aren't prepared. It's so much harder than climbing the steps.) For this particular trip, I was glad I had finished my trek up and down Lombard Street. It was another goal to knock off my personal bucket list. This is definitely an adventure I will repeat, or perhaps, I'll explore the hill to Coit Tower, I still haven't' made my way there. One day I will, I just know it. I'm not finished with my visits to San Francisco yet.

Antelope Canyon

Cold wind and dust blew in my face as we sped along down the road from Page, AZ on the wintry February day. The sun was shining with all its might but wasn't enough to break through the breeze. We were on our way to see Antelope Canyon on a guided tour of the canyon. Me and my fellow travelers were all crammed into the back of an altered truck, designed with two long rows of padded seats in place of a traditional truck bed. A large windowed blue canvas canopy draped over a metal frame, designed to keep the wind from blowing on the passengers. The cover didn't do much to block the wind from coming in through the spaces along the floorboard nor with the large open back of the space.

The truck bounced off the paved road and onto a red dirt road. We were getting close. I was so excited to finally be seeing Antelope Canyon, this was a destination I'd had on my list for many years. Now here we were, bringing this goal to fruition. The truck pulled up behind another truck and we all climbed out of the truck. It was amazing to see, rows upon rows of trucks all packed as full as ours was, and all filled with people who wanted to explore Antelope Canyon. My heart dropped a little when I saw the number of tourists ready to explore the canyon. I thought I'd never get a decent picture without people in the way. Every picture I'd ever seen was of amazing rock formations and canyon walls with not one person in sight. I was never so happy to be wrong.

We stopped at the entrance of the canyon and our guide stopped everyone to once again brief us on the rules. Then she launched into the tour. The first room we entered was breathtaking. Massive walls towered above, a bright orangy-red ribbon of stone weaved along out of sight leading explorers further into the canyon. The tour guide stopped many times to point out sights and showed everyone how to angle their cameras to get the best shot. Despite the throngs of people, very few of my shots had anyone in them. The shots I wanted, those amazing views were all pointing up toward the sky.

We headed further into the canyon and slowly the light dimmed. It grew darker and darker as the canyon walls narrowed and we sank further away from the surface. The assurance that the red sandy ground would remain level kept wanderers fairly confident in the otherwise dim light. Near a darker area the guide stopped and snapped a photo with her phone then held it up for everyone to see. It was a heart, the formations of the curves of the walls had created a heart shape when looking up.

I was in awe to see the beauty that nature could create. We continue to wander through the canyon and the temps dropped, slowly as we neared the end the light returned. At the far end we all emerged into the bright sun. All were eager to warm up from the chilly temps inside the canyon. Clusters of tourists gathered together to bask in the sun and take more pictures and review what they had taken while inside the canyon. After a while we were gathered up by our tour guide and given instructions on returning back through the canyon. I paused for a moment before heading back in, I knew it would be a quick pass through with a goal to get back to the trucks without stopping or blocking those who were just making their way through. I took in the beauty of the space. Outside the canyon the rock walls sparkled in the sun. The smooth appearance deceiving to the eye, I knew that the rock would feel more like sandpaper, but the satin smooth appearance made me want to run my hands along the surface.

This was a beautiful experience, one long awaited, and one very much enjoyed. I would do this tour again in a heartbeat. Maybe the next time, take fewer pictures...or maybe at least go in warmer weather.

Pike Place Market

Pike Place Market, what a wonderful experience to have. There are so many things to see and places to explore. On that early Saturday morning of May, I found myself walking up the street toward Pike Place Market with no idea of what to expect. Would it be crowded already? Would they be throwing fish everywhere? What exactly would this place look like? As I walked up the street with my mom from our weekend apartment rental I felt anticipation of seeing this place I'd long wished to visit. 

The cool humidity of the morning was neither peaceful nor calm. Traffic whooshed overhead on the freeway, the road we were on, already filled with cars in a hurry to get to their destination. The noise and hurried atmosphere didn't sink in to affect me though, I was calm but excited, ready to explore Seattle. We had a full schedule ahead, time to explore Pike Place Market, followed by the Seattle Aquarium, a harbor cruise. To finish the day we had a dinner reservation over by the Space Needle. That morning though, the goal was to wander through the market and grab some breakfast until the aquarium opened.

When I'd planned the trip, I'd expected we would visit the market that first morning and then after the aquarium we would go back and visit anything we hadn't made it to in the morning. Little did I know just how many times we would go through the market. When people asked about my trip to Seattle they would ask if I saw Pike Place Market and I always reply "Yes, several times." We went for breakfast, and walked through the market to get to the place we wanted. Heading to the aquarium, back through the market, heading to lunch, through the market, heading home, through the market. This theme continued throughout the entire weekend trip. It was never intentional but just happened that way. 

Each trip through the market was unique and interesting. We passed through the market when the shops were at their peak of business. People packed in tightly all exploring the wares of the different fruit, vegetable, and fish vendors. The bakeries and restaurants all had enticing scents of food wafting out into the main walkway to draw in the passersby.  Another visit we saw the end of the day, vendors trying to grab the attention of the last few customers with a goal of selling off the last bit of fruit or some flowers that, while currently at the pinnacle of freshness, might not make it through another day. 

The best part of my trips through Pike Place Market had to be in the early morning,

just like that first visit. Vendors were still loading their displays. The fish mongers were shoveling ice onto their displays and piling on the fish. Fruit and vegetable vendors were pulling crates and artfully displaying their wares. The bakeries were already in full force, cranking out morning breakfast treats of croissants and muffins. It was awesome to see the Pike Place Fish Market already in full swing shouting out their chants and throwing the fish. This rowdy little place already drew a small crowd, even in the calm quiet of the early morning.

The best though, were the flowers. Long lines of flowers all piled in Home Depot buckets waiting to be made into bouquets. Walking along the rows of flowers in the early morning light while waiting for stores to open I felt like I was in the opening scenes for My Fair Lady. There were buckets of just about every flower I could think of. Bright pink roses, cheerful yellow and white daisies, elegant peonies, and rich purple irises all graced the shelves of the flower shop.

Visiting Pike Place Market was an experience not to miss. Try the fresh fruit, it is amazing! Get some fresh fish from a fish monger, they can pack it to ship and stay fresh. Hit the decadent chocolate shop or browse the racks of the corner magazine stand. Explore it all, you won't regret it.