Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Hello, my friends, I hope you are enjoying 

these 'Dog Days' of summer! 

It is certainly hot and dry, here in western Washington State. 

We've had no rain for almost a month and a half, 

and this week it has been in the 90's,

with hazy skies due to smoke from distant wildfires, 

 drifting down through mountain passes both in our state, 

 and all the way from British Columbia, Canada, in the north. 

The air quality is not good.  

I have been so busy watering my precious plantings 

by hand (we have well water and need to ration wisely)

which takes at least an hour or more every morning and evening. 

I feel so bad for all the native trees and plants, but 

they are remarkably resilient. 

In between, I am still pet-sitting my friend's cat and dog, 

for two more weeks, and watching my

 9 mos. old grandson 2-3 times a week. 

We will also be watching my 2 yr. old grandson 

this Saturday night while my son and his wife 

attend his 20th high school reunion! 

The time just flies along........... 

Speaking of time, we had the BEST time 

with my youngest son, Dustin and wife, Jennifer

at the Seattle Mariner's versus Boston Red Sox

 game at Safeco field in Seattle last week.

Ramblin' Man and I grew up in small towns south of Boston

 (which shared a high-school, where we met)

 and have a special love for our home team. 

Dustin arranged everything for a special day in Seattle,

with a trip to Pike Street Market on the waterfront, 

 and then on to the game. 

As you can see, it was a perfect 

summer day in our beautiful city of Seattle.

You can see both stadiums, 'Safeco' and 'Quest' fields,

where the Mariner's and Seahawk's play, 

our 'Big Wheel' Ferris wheel  

and of course, our beautiful Mt. Rainier, 

shimmering in the distance. 

Here, we are on a boardwalk overlooking

Elliot Bay and Pier 59, which houses

 Seattle's aquarium on the waterfront. 

The waterfront is along Puget Sound, 

which starts at the Canadian border near Victoria, BC, 

and ends south of Olympia - Washington's capitol.

Puget Sound is a deep water sound with major ports for 

military and west-coast commerce along its eastern shores

You can read more here:

Puget Sound and the Salish Sea

Mt. Rainier is just out of sight to the left.

Our walkway was flanked by a pretty stone rail. 

Ferries are an important mode of transportation 

 for several populated islands and  

other ports on the sound. 

And off he goes......towards ports unknown. 

The Olympic mountain range lies on the horizon. 

This mountain range is mostly uninhabited

and lies on the Olympic peninsula. 

The glass entrance to 'The Market' from the waterfront, 

with the city rising above. 

I love the vintage feel of this fruit stand,

right down to the old, painted sign, 

table and wonderful wainscoting. 

Beautiful flowers, awaiting arrangement. 

If you look through the window, you can 

see the steeply sloped city streets. 

They are fun to drive down, 

but not back up! 

Although it was hot outside, the inside 

was cool and inviting. Tourists from all over

the world share their love of the market 

with seasoned locals. 

I love the beautifully carved columns. 

The market meanders in and out, on two levels, 

with lovely courtyards, hidden restaurants and shops,

and colorful displays and people. 

The low-slung buildings had lovely gardens along their 

roof-tops and cobblestone terraces.

The back of this little restaurant looks so wonderfully vintage.

Right down to the vintage car and beam of sunlight!  

xoxo

The front has views of Puget Sound. 

Street-side was lined with the most charming 

little shops, amid the historic beauty. 

This photo and the last, 

would make great subjects for watercolor.

This beautiful building caught my eye as 

we head to the stadium. 

I believe this was built with local sandstone. 

Don't you just love the windows?

The old and the new.....

And more under construction! 

The 'Green Tortoise'.

The Seattle Art Museum

with its Art Deco design. 

I've been waiting for a good exhibition so I can go again. 

The tower building and old hotel 

in the background are so pretty. 

The group crossing the street 

with the blue bundles are a curious sight. 

Homeless, perhaps? 

So many people are homeless these days. 

There is so little mercy......

we take every little thing for granted,

but are merely one disaster away from the same fate.  

'There, but for the Grace of God, go I'

We arrive at the stadium early so we can enjoy 

a bite to eat and get settled into our seats. 

Heavily shadowed high-rise buildings

and Quest Field peek over the wall.

The Mariner's Moose mascot performs before the game.

The 'Moose' mascot was chosen for the team

 through a contest for children. 

The game begins. It was a Tuesday night 

and the stadium was full! 

Here we are with happy smiles :) 

Dustin bought us these great Boston Red Sox hats. 

So excited to see this game! 

Mariner's won in overtime! 

The game went on into the wee hours......

we didn't stay. 

It was a great game, in a great place, with 

3 of my favorite people! 

Thank you, Dustin and Jen for such a fun day! 

We left at sunset to go get a burger. 

(Burger Master - an iconic burger drive-in, 

best known as Bill Gate's favorite treat)

And as the sun sets and the crescent moon rises, we take one 

last look at the beautiful Olympics silhouetted against the 

embers of this wonderful day. 

xoxo