Washington State Odyssey Leg #5: Seattle, an Urban Gem
Patty and I view Seattle as one of America’s more livable
and better put together cities.
Seattle provides a very good mass transit system that allows a person to
get around without a car. The city
has developed a cool urban vibe that was evident in our bustling First Avenue
corridor.
Much of Seattle’s wealth has been created by world class
hi-tech companies; Boeing, Microsoft, Amazon.com and many others. Cisco, the producer of the brains that
drive our computers, has a building near the Seattle Science Center and Space
Needle tower.
Seattle has 4,000 parks; green spaces such as this garden
and nursery down the hill from our hotel are diverse pockets of natural beauty.
Location: Seattle waterfront, Elliot Bay area.
The Fisherman’s Restaurant on the Waterfront Pier is a
favorite of ours to view the harbor and enjoy a good cup of Clam Chowder or
oysters on the half shell.
Location: Seattle waterfront, Elliot Bay; metal
lobster is an example of widespread public art.
The State of Washington legalized pot and is strictly
regulating the industry and commercial market. Pot stores like this one are popping up all over the city
and state.
Store representatives monitor the front door; another check
point is located upon entry into the store.
This psychedelic mural adorns the back wall of the store.
Visually attractive and interesting examples of public art
abound around the Space Needle, Pacific Science Center, and the Museum of
Musical Experience.
Location: Pacific Science Center “flowers”
Location: Space Needle and Museum of Musical
Experience.
Location: Museum of Musical Experience front
entrance.
Location: Main MME space; music video wall, atrium,
and guitar statue to right.
Location: Roots and Branches Sculpture – the Guitar
Sculpture – is in the first floor atrium.
Location: Museum of Musical Experience Exit and Star
Wars exhibition on right.
There are three other visual arts exhibitions in the museum
– this space is dedicated to small recording studios for budding musicians to
improve their skills – interesting art forms adorn the walls.
Location: Jimi Hendrix Exhibition Mural, Museum of
Musical Experience.
The late Jimi Hendrix is a native son of Seattle and perhaps
the greatest rock start to grow there; he is also a favorite of mine. The MME also showcases Nirvana, the
greatest group Washington State has produced, but for some reason, my camera
swallowed the pictures of their exhibition so I have focused on Hendrix
exclusively.
Jimi’s music featured great guitar playing and fabulous
energy. His colorful clothing and
personal style is featured in the outfit exhibited.
I saw many wonderful concerts at the old Fillmore East
including Jimi Hendrix. This photo
reflects my philosophy that we need to know our past to understand our present
and better predict the future.
This concludes the Heller – Morrison Trail
II Photo Album, Washington State Odyssey, and stay tuned for upcoming
road trips and follow up photo albums.