IN SEATTLE

 Trish and I are now in Seattle and having a wonderful time.

Even though Trish lived and worked here about fifty years ago, she had never been to the Space Needle.  Our hotel is near Pike Street Market and so only a bit over a mile from the Needle, so, we walked up there and spent a good bit of the day in the surrounding area.

The views from the top of the Needle itself are incredible.  While we were at the top, a float plans took off below and came right up past where we were watching.  

I had been to the Chihuly Museum and Garden next door about fifteen years ago, but, has it grown and changed!  We could have stayed there the rest of the day.

Even though we have visited Chiluly displays in numerous places, the museum here goes far beyond all our experiences.   These bowls, for example, are a totally different color in the inside from the outside. How do they do that?

There is a whole new room dedicated to work inspired by Southwestern native art and culture.  The colors and shapes almost remind us of Mesa Verde cliff dwellings and their surroundings. Beautiful.

When, many years ago, Dale Chiluly lost an eye and dislocated his shoulder is an automobile accident, he knew that if he continued to work in glass he would need help.  He now has an orchestra of glass workers over whom he is both composer and conductor.  These massive works come out on the other end of his imagination and artistic work.

At the Olympic display in Salt Lake City, we saw the first version of the glass ceiling with blown pieces above.  The sensation is like being under water with myriads of colorful sea creatures swimming above.

Finally we went outside to the garden where flowers, plants, and glass work together to form wonder.  How can someone imagine this?

We ended the day at the Museum of Pop Culture which, while interesting, did not hold us with the charm if the glass work.  

Afterwards we rode the Monorail back to near our hotel where we later met our friend, Laura Simeon, for dinner.  What a marvelous day!