Traveling: Ocean Shores and Home

Line of Surf : Ocean Shores, WA

On Sunday afternoon, I left Seattle and headed out to the coast. I didn't exactly end up in the most beautiful coastal setting in Washington, I'm sure, but I did drive through some towns that were once quite prominent in the world of pulp, paper, and wood products manufacturing. Since that's what I write about professionally, it was interesting to put places with the mills and companies I've written about in the past.

Red Sky at Morn' : Ocean Shores, WA

My drive took me through Tacoma and past Olympia, the state capital. I drove through Aberdeen and Grays Harbor, but it was Ocean Shores where I ended up for the night. It was too late to take sunset pictures by the time I arrived, so I got up really early the next morning and snapped a couple of sunrise shots.

cloudsandclunkers : Peter Shelton, Artist : SEA-TAC

Then, it was back to the hotel to shower, pack, and head back up to Seattle for my flight home that afternoon. I arrived at SEA-TAC with plenty of time to spare only to learn my flight from Seattle to Baltimore with a connection through Denver had been canceled due to snow in Denver. Thankfully, United put me on an American Airlines flight and I was off. Before leaving SEA-TAC, I caught a couple of photos of a very fun art exhibit called "cloudsandclunkers" by the artist Peter Shelton.

Andrew Dan-Jumbo of The Learning Channel in the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

My new flight plans included a layover in Dallas-Fort Worth. While waiting for my connection, I noticed this guy in our boarding area talking on the phone and using his computer. I needed to recharge the battery on my computer, so I sat across from him and snapped this photo of him using my PhotoBooth software on my Mac. This gentleman is Andrew Dan-Jumbo--TLC's DIY handyman for its home makeover shows.

Driftwood at High Tide : Ocean Shores, WA

Washington State (the "other" Washington, as we say here and as they say there about us) was a beautiful state. The people were friendly and polite, the scenery was breathtaking, the food was good--everything was a wonderful experience. My thanks to my friend, Alice, for the use of her house in Langley and to Maya, for being such a wonderful guide. I'll be back soon!


Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 12/08

Two Things Challenge: Urban / Art

Urban graffiti as art : Silver Spring, MD

This week's Two Things Challenge was Urban / Art. I snapped this first picture a few days ago in downtown Silver Spring. I like how someone took what would otherwise be graffiti and put it on canvas as a way to add some color to the passageway that links one of Silver Springs' parking decks with its downtown shopping district.

Neon triptych : Seattle, WA
(Click images to enlarge.)

These other photos are some more of the neon we saw during our photo walk on Saturday night in Seattle. As the Emerald City is rather urban, I thought these signs were appropriate for the challenge.

To see how others interpreted this challenge, go to Two Things Challenge and check it out!

Tomorrow: Seattle in the daylight.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 12/08

Traveling: Whidbey Island, WA

6:22 a.m. Departure : BWI

I've been lagging behind in responding to comments in last week's blog entries. My apologies for that, but my thanks to everyone who continues to stop by and read. My excuse? I was traveling and didn't have internet access for nearly four days! Last week, I spent five days in Washington State. My visit took me to Whidbey Island, Mukilteo, Seattle, and Ocean Shores. In all, I booked nearly 600 miles in ground and water travel, 6,000 air miles, and saw a beautiful part of the country. For the next few days, I'll be posting pictures from my trip.

Flying over the Golden Gate : San Francisco, CA
(Click image to enlarge)

Today's photos feature shots from the airplane, in airports, and on Whidbey Island. I'll stick to the captions on the first two, but note that my outbound flight commenced at Baltimore-Washington Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) and included a layover at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), hence the first two pictures. My final destination was Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), known as SEA-TAC.

Airport Art : SEA-TAC

The third photo is a piece of art in SEA-TAC in the United Airlines baggage claim area. The entire piece is constructed of reflector circles! SEA-TAC airport is full of some really fun art. Unfortunately, I didn't get the name of the artist on this one.

Towering firs : Langley, WA

My purpose for being in the Seattle area was to check out a business opportunity on Whidbey Island. One of the beauties of the Pacific Northwest are the abundance of coniferous trees. These ones are on the property of a friend who owns a home in Langley, WA.

Sunset : Freeland, WA

Finally, the first night I was on Whidbey Island, I drove up to Freeland. I had to pull off the road to take this picture of a lovely sunset. (Note to Virginia and Maya: No, I did not shoot while driving! Too dangerous on windy, twisty coast/island roads.)

Tomorrow: More about Whidbey Island, a bald eagle, and a lighthouse.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 12/08