January 20, 2014

Seattle: Mama said there'd be days like this....

seattlenorainrainer.jpg

Posted by gerardvanderleun at January 20, 2014 5:09 PM
Bookmark and Share

Comments:

HOME

"It is impossible to speak in such a way that you cannot be misunderstood." -- Karl Popper N.B.: Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately. Comments that exceed the obscenity or stupidity limits will be either edited or expunged.

Growing up in a state that has peaks over 10,000ft, I was shocked the first time I saw that view. I had never seen ALL 10,000 feet of a mountain. It stopped me in my tracks. Since it is so rarely visible, it makes it even more special. Enjoy, Gerard.

Posted by: Leslie at January 20, 2014 7:53 PM

The Mountain is out. Very rare during January. Must enjoy it while we can.

Posted by: Jimmy J. at January 20, 2014 7:57 PM

I remember seeing Mt. Rainier the first time, on a rare, clean, cloudless day, from the park across the street. I also remember the kids laughing at me when I asked what the name of that mountain was! We were new to the area. Kansas didn't have mountains. You understand.

Posted by: Jewel at January 20, 2014 8:50 PM

Beautiful. Are those 2 airports above and right, and more right, of the skyscrapers?

Posted by: Scott M at January 20, 2014 11:54 PM

As a native I love going around saying, "Jeese, I remember when there was NOTHING but a cow pasture over there!" January/February are full of clear-skied days and mountains. I'm going to miss the viaduct -- the best viewing platform for the Olympics.

Posted by: AbigailAdams at January 21, 2014 2:58 AM

@Scott M -- the closer one is Boeing Field, it parallels I-5, the other would be SeaTac.

Posted by: AbigailAdams at January 21, 2014 3:01 AM

AbigailAdams - I work right next to the viaduct, and have been watching this project right up close for years now. It's a mess down here for sure, and that viaduct view was great (eyes on the road!), but I'm also pretty excited to see how it all looks (and functions, if at all) when it's done.

Waiting for a "But the Olympics are in Russia this year!" comment.

Posted by: Andy at January 21, 2014 8:42 AM

@AbigailAdams Thanks.

Posted by: Scott M at January 21, 2014 1:01 PM

@Andy -- Ha! Yes, it was an insider reference to the Olympic mountains. And there is no better vantage point in the whole city. I will miss the viaduct terribly. My favorite tunnel in the whole world is the southbound, left hand lane as you gather speed for the exit out of the Battery street tunnel. My grandad was on the "pour" for the viaduct and was the head guy in charge of the Space Needle footings. The viaduct is more than an arterial to me. The new tunnel is a big, expensive mistake in my opinion.

Posted by: AbigailAdams at January 21, 2014 1:05 PM

Other than its solitary nature, which makes it perhaps more striking, Rainier pales a bit next to the fourteener, Pike's Peak, which I see out my window most mornings.

The other thing which may make Rainier appear to be more remarkable is that Seattle is simply "rainier" than here...pun intended.

Posted by: Kalashnikat in Colorado at January 21, 2014 7:19 PM