The Underground at Pioneer Square

Yesterday was nice and warm but today for the first time it is beginnig to feel like fall.  The totem pole in the photo stands in Pioneer Square in Seattle.  At the square you can take a tour that tells something of the local history and among other things how the ground floors of the buildings here got to be the basements and why there were so many seamstresses in early Seattle.  It was fun and educational.

Gerona, Spain

These are views from Gerona, a very nice town located not too far from France in Catalunya that has well preserved sections from Roman, Moorish, and medevial times.  I wish we had another day to spend there....

Constancia

I am a sucker for boats and rarely pass up the opporunity to photograph one that I think has character.  This is "Constancia" moored in Barcelona harbor.

Festivals in Barcelona

Today there was a festival at the cathedral in Barcelona.  A statue of the Virgin Mary, patron of Barcelona, is carried to the cathedral.  I am not sure of the details, but another festival includes carrying giant statues and heads.

More Street Performers in Lisbon

I like photographing street performers because firstly they don't mind being photographed - in fact they like it - and secondly they don't get to look at the photograph later and I don't get feedback that it isn't flattering.

Palacio National da Pena in Sintra

It is a long walk to the top of the mountain from town.... much easier to take the bus.

Views of Lisbon

My first impressions of Lisbon weren't that good but it has grown on me.  So far I wouldn't say the food has grabbed me yet though.

Lisbon Street Performer

We saw this guy "floating in air" who was pretty good and a fool blowing bubbles who was trying to take from the tourists.  How does he float in air?  My guess is that some sort of suspension apparatus extends from the cane through his coat sleeve and down his pants somehow.  Pretty good though as he seemed to have most people amazed.  He allowed people to wave their arms under his feet to show there was nothing down there.

Arrived in Lisbon Today

Maybe I'll find an interesting picture or two....

The Sculpture Park

A tree buds.  Taken in the Seattle sculpture park a while back.

It was a foggy day on Mt. St. Helens

This was taken a while back.  I am pretty sure there are rules against posting too many cute chipmunk pictures so I try to space them out a bit.

Seattle Sunset

We've been having nice sunsets lately.

Bridal Veil Falls

I wonder how many waterfalls there are in North America named Bridal Veil?  There must be quite a few.  This one is fed by Lake Serene in the Cascade Mountains.

Salmon Hatcheries

These fish have made it to the Wallace River Hatchery in Washington State.  75% of the salmon caught in the Puget Sound, and 90% of those caught in the Columbia River originated in hatcheries.