2025.3.30. UW Cherry Quad + Issaquah History + Tiger Mt.

3/30, Sunday. Supposed to be sunny, but it wasn't. Grey sky. I reached The Quad at ~9:50am, already full of people. Cherry blossoms were peaking. I was here last Tuesday afternoon, when it was sunny and blue sky. Here's a comparison. Note the color of the right photo on Sunday has been doctored by Google's AI.

I had a guide book with me, so found a place to sit and read. Then I heard a familiar voice. It turns out it is my roommate at UW. She was out strolling with her husband and grandson. She moved back to Seattle at the beginning of the COVID work-from-home craze. We've only met once since she was back. What a pleasant surprise.

Back home, quickly chowed down some food. Repacked, and transferred to bus 554 to Issaquah. First, walked to the library to use the toilet and to fill my water bottle. It so happened that Issaquah History Museum was starting the first talk in a series called "Let's Talk Local History". So I sat down and listened. A few interesting tidbits:

• Issaquah is named after the Squak Valley - this area of flat fertile land south of Lake Sammamish.
• Issaquah's very first commercial product is coal (in Squak Mountain). 2nd is hop.
• Before the railroad put in by Gilman et al. (1888 Lake Shore and Eastern Railway), transporting products to the market took 20 days via this circuitous waterway.

When it finished, it was already past 3:30pm.

Walking to Tiger. Too many people in front of Jakob, that I didn't stop to take a photo. But it's always good to see his giant smily face.
At the lower elevation of the Section Line (above the powerline field), saw these flowers. This may be White Butterbur. Quite some moths on them. Saw 3 trilliums, first this year. Saw maybe a couple of yellow violets and stinking robert.

By the time I reached Tiger 3 summit, it was already 5:15pm, but the sun was still too high to wait for sunset. Dark clouds looming to the south. It's supposed to rain this evening. Continued on to Tiger 2. Somewhat windy. Better view. On my way out, it was dusk, many robins on the trail at the lowest elevation.

Waited for the bus for an hour! The bus I was waiting for either never came or left early for more than 5 minutes. That ruined my otherwise perfect day. Filed a complain to Sound Transit. Didn't get home until past 9pm. Rain had started.

2025.3.29. Lake Aerene

2025/3/29, Saturday. Rain in the forecast. Attended a flower talk by WA Native Plant Society at Brier Library, we headed to Lake Serene in the afternoon.

Parked at the lower lot, ate lunch before the hike. First, as always, took the spur trail to Bridal Veil Falls. After a few days of rain, the waterfall is full of force. A true delight. Need rain jacket here.

Back to the main trail, continued towards the lake. The high water (multiple creek crossings) and this fallen tree made the otherwise easy trail more interesting. Only 8 miles, 2000'. Many wooden stairs to ease the ups and downs. No snow all the way until almost reaching the lake basin. Saw a short rainbow across the Hwy-2.

Lake Serene is now thawed on the edges: the prettiest time IMHO. All around is still snow covered. Mist shrouded Mt. Index, making the peaks more menacing. A short trail over a bridge to a small overlook. Some used microspikes. We brought them, but didn't use. 2 boys camping here.

A light hail started as we turned around. Then, rain. But in 15-20 minutes down the trail, we were out of the rain. Near the bridge crossing the creek, took a short detour via a beaten but unmarked track to the other side of Bridal Veil Falls. The last ~1 mile of the trail is a flat logging road, bordering salmonberry bushes now already in red flowers. Some skunk cabbages in flower, not stinking. Some yellow violets. Near dusk, a lot of birds singing. Robins on trail.

Driving back through Gold Bar ~7:30pm had no traffic! A perfect day.

2025.3.26. Seattle Reads 2025 kickoff

Seattle Reads this year chose a poetry collection: You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World.

Today is the launch party, featuring Laura Da’, Claudia Castro Luna and José Luis “Pepe” Montero. Each shared a poem in this book and talked why they liked it.

We were given a book. Surprised to see snacks.

2025.3.20. Emergence - PNB

3/20, Thursday, 7:30. Went to the ballet.

Dawn Patrol (World Premiere) | Price Suddarth
Afternoon of a Faun          | Jerome Robbins
Mopey                        | Marco Goecke
Emergence                    | Crystal Pite

I actually really like the new work "Dawn Patrol", even though I didn't associate it with fighter pilots before (or even after) reading the program notes. I also really like its music by Alfonso Peduto, fit the dance very well (commissioned for Dawn Patrol).

The middle 2 short works are interesting. Quite different. Especially Mopey, not ballet like, very jerky, but not bad.

Emergence, maybe I had too high expectation. I like the group syncopation. I sat at row H, could hear the dancers counting.

I like today's lighting, even though all too dark, except for "Afternoon of a Faun". I think the guy shouldn't wear white footwear for this piece, which showed the browning/dirt of the floor. Better use skin tone.

Went to the after-show Q&A. Today, we are fortunate to have Lucien Postlewaite who's been dancing with PNB since 2003! Most of his dancing peers now are half of his age. Will see where his long career takes him. Wish him all the best.

2025.3.20. Daffodil Day - 1st Day of Spring

3/20, Thursday. Anyone can pick up 4 stems of daffodils at Pike Place Market today. Despite of the rain, quite a lot of people. The line is long, but moves swiftly. The yellow paired with the purpil tulips I received last weekend makes the perfect Husky color.