Category Archives: Pacific Northwest

Structural Remains

I do like coming across test aircraft. Production jets will be seen all over the place in due course but the test aircraft often show small signs of their test role no are a bit more individual. However, any test program also includes airframes that never get much coverage. This is because they never fly. Structural test specimens are vital but usually out of sight.

Boeing has a yard around the back of the Everett plant in which the remains of these test articles are stored. Bits of airframe sit awaiting any possible future use. The yard also includes a few bits that appear to have been operational at some time. The front fuselage of a 747-400 that still shows United colors is there. I wonder whether it was bought back to allow them to do a condition assessment based on the in service fleet.

Irrespective of how they got here, they are all rather forlorn looking as they sit in this space, out of the way and maybe never to be used again. Service life extension programs may require them to be brought out again although I have no idea whether the storage outdoors will have rendered them less useful.

Racing Eight (ish)

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Washington has a history of rowing that goes back decades. If you want a good read, get hold of the The Boys in the Boat which is about University of Washington rowers in the 30s. Rowing is still a big deal so I wasn’t surprised to see a coxed eight come across the lake. However, something was amiss. A quick count showed that someone hasn’t shown up that day. The gap in the crew was pretty clear. They didn’t seem to be struggling though. Their speed across the water was impressive and I imagine the eight person pulling would make them that bit faster!

Gas Works Park

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In the days before natural gas, the gas supplies for towns and cities came from making gas from other sources such as coal. Gas works were a big feature of towns. However, they have disappeared as natural gas replaced them. The huge metallic structures have been taken away and the land has found new purposes. Seattle managed to both find a new use and keep the works.

The north end of Lake Union has Gas Works Park. Much of the gas works has been cleared away but substantial chunks of the metal work remain in place. Some is cordoned off but other parts have been integrated into displays. We both commented on the complexity of the pipes and valves and how everything had a role. The geometry of the structures and the connecting pipework were great to look at. The middle of the day is not the best time to photograph this so I will think about coming back at some point to have a wander around specifically for photography. However, on a sunny day, a park by the lake with tons of people seemed to be a very relaxing place compared to how this would have been when it was in use.

The Old Seattle Streetcar and Its Modern Counterpart

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We were wandering around down by Lake Union checking out the sights of the city. When it was time to head back, the easiest thing for us to do was to grab the streetcar that runs back up to Westlake. This is a relatively new addition to the city and they are expanding their streetcar system at the same time as Sound Transit expands the light rail system.

It did remind me of a previous trip we had to Seattle quite a few years ago. At that time, there was a vintage streetcar that ran along the waterfront. We had stayed down there on that trip and the streetcar tracks ran right outside the hotel. During the course of some redevelopment activity, the barn where the cars were stored and maintained found itself in the way and it was demolished. The system went away and clearly has not returned.

The tracks are still along the right of way but obviously aren’t used anymore. I thought it was interesting to contrast the old style of a streetcar with the modern vehicle that is appearing in cities all across the US today. The return of streetcars are gaining momentum all across the country.

Some New Max Jets

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Boeing has now certificated the first of the new Max versions of the 737. The Max8 has now entered service. I first saw a Max at some distance across San Francisco Bay as I wrote about here. I was passing Renton so I thought I would have a quick look at what was on the flightline. A few of the new jets were mixed in with the current builds of the NG aircraft. Customer jets were clearly awaiting delivery while a Max9 was also on the ramp. The test program for the Max9 is at a far earlier stage although it will be a shorter program given the amount of testing already completed by the Max8. A Max8 was close by and one awaiting delivery was behind the Max9.

Goslings En Masse

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Spring is the season for new life. The geese had obviously been taking the task to heart because, as we walked around Bloedel Reserve, there was a large gathering of goslings. It appeared to be that several families were mingling together. I guess strength comes in numbers. The adults were all grazing around the periphery of the group while the multitude of goslings were munching away in the middle.

When we were in Seattle a week later, we came across more goslings. A smaller group this time but the same thing with the adults keeping an eye on them. A couple were getting a bit more adventurous and heading off on their own but they were soon brought back into line. I wonder how many predators geese have. I guess hawks will be happy to take them out but the numbers might explain why there are so many geese wherever you go these days.

Fungi in the Woods

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The grounds of Bloedel Reserve included a lot of different types of growth. Meadows and woodland, organized gardens and natural growth. There is obviously a lot of moisture in some areas because the amount of fungal growth was substantial. Some of the fungi were small growths while others seemed to be substantial organisms. The majority were growing on tree trunks, whether still alive or lying dead on the ground. While I find fungus interesting, there is a lurking thought in my mind from watching too many sci-fi movies that, as I get close, spores will burst forth and I shall be infected with some terrible disease. Fortunately , this time I got away with it. Clearly, there is no harm to watching to much TV as a kid.

Lenin on a Street Corner

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Knowing the mix of people I know, all sorts of comments could result from this post! Let’s see who has self-restraint. We were spending a weekend checking out different parts of Seattle and a lunchtime stroll took us to the Fremont area of town. As we walked up to an interchange, a large statue was looking down on the road. Vladimir Ilyich Ulynaov Lenin was there. Of course, I know he is dead and embalmed in a tomb in Moscow but his likeness in bronze was sitting by a plaza.

I don’t know why he is there. Whether it is a tribute, an ironic insult or just a weird outcome to some other plan, I have no idea and I don’t really care. This blog is not about political statements. It is a record of things I have come across at various times. If your sensibilities are unable to handle a picture of a statue of Lenin without you exploding with rage, tough luck. His brand of crazy is not what this is about and neither is your adopted brand of crazy come to that. Instead, I just came across a strange statue and I am writing about it.

What a Great View of the Sound!

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The house at Bloedel Reserve sits up on the hill with the grounds landscaped to provide an unobstructed view down to the sound below. You can imagine the tranquility of sitting on the terrace in the evening, sipping a cocktail and looking out at the water. Unfortunately, at the time of our visit, a large barge was moored a short distance out in the water. I’m sure the view is beautiful but, with a barge plonked in the middle of things, somehow the delightful nature of the scene is a little compromised!

Why Travel North if the Aurora Comes to You?

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Icelandair painted one of their 757s in a scheme that portrays the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. It is named Hekla Aurora. It was painted a long time ago but, since they didn’t operate anywhere I lived, I hadn’t got to see it. Then I had my first sighting when landing at SeaTac when it was parked across the ramp as we taxied in. I certainly didn’t get a shot of it. Moving to Seattle meant I would have a chance to see it in action but that was dependent on it operating here on a day when I could actually be there. Turns out my luck was in – and it was sunny! (In fact it had been a crummy day but I had a feeling it would clear up and, while it was raining as I drove down, the sun came out on cue. Hurrah!)