July 29: I Spy

July 28: Union Livery Stable

This 1908 brick building would be unremarkable except for the horse head medallion on the western side of the building, which is visible from the viaduct. The building was originally a stable and has been used over the years as a car park, furniture store, and apartment building. It's now in a state of sad disrepair, as evidenced by boarded windows, graffiti, and grass growing on the upper story windowsills.

July 27: Ferry Dock

The Viaduct offers lots of tempting views, but capturing those views from a moving vehicle is a challenge indeed.

July 26: Death Shroud

This 10-year old building in Belltown is being dismantled bit by bit because of structural defects. Its black shroud sets it apart from the new construction going on downtown.

July 25: Ballard Scissorhands

This style of landscaping used to be en vogue in Ballard, but it's a rarity now.

July 24: Alice

Alice and Amber spent some time yesterday making chalk art on the sidewalk in front of Alice's house.

July 24: Smiling Fish

This fish's habitat is a stone-lined drainage area by the sidewalk of a nearby home. I want it to swim over to my house the next time we have a big rain.

July 23: Spiritual Practice

Who says cats can't achieve enlightenment through meditation?

July 22: Celosia

Another plant I suspect of having alien DNA. Upon seeing this plant, Amber said, "Nature certainly does have a sense of humor!"

July 21: Wildflowers

On the trip back to Seattle we stopped at a campsite in the Wenatchee National Forest and saw lots of wildflowers in bloom. This is Lonicera ciliosa, Washington state's native honeysuckle.

July 20: Cashmere Pig

His name is Harley, and he's located outside a BBQ restaurant in Cashmere. M'thinks he looks suspiciously similar to the sitting pig used for the Pigs on Parade...but then all pigs look pretty much alike to me.

July 19: Frankie

The resident cat at Kelly's is happy to come into your cabin and share some of whatever you're eating. If you're not willing to share, she's quick to move on to the next cabin.

July 18: Abandoned Pier

This was the original ferry dock for the Lady of the Lake ferry, but was abandoned at some point in favor of the new dock, just to the left of this one.

July 17: Blueberries

It wouldn't be a trip to Chelan without a visit to the u-pick blueberry farm.

July 16: Little Bird

It was sitting on the railing right outside the bedroom window, and didn't seem to notice I was right behind the curtains.

July 16: Moonrise

The moon was equally stunning last night but rose a bit later, and this photo does justice to it.

July 15: Early Bird

This little swift has been sitting on the railing every morning chirping nonstop until Katie wakes up. It's amazingly loud for such a little bird!

July 14: Katie's New Ring

Last year we all wore mood rings during our vacation, but this year Katie and Tyler didn't pack theirs, so we bought new ones in town. This is the 3-in-1 Katie chose...and we're all having lots of fun watching it change colors. She's a girl of many moods.

Katie took this photo from the deck last night. At twilight we watched the full moon rise. It was too spectacular for my little camera to capture.

July 13: Sun and Clouds

On the way to Lake Chelan...

July 12: Urban Wildlife - Part II

July 11: They Really Mean It

The sign reads, "Reserved 24 Hours; Permit Required; Reserved Parking Only"

July 10: Leif the Surly

A bust of Leif Erickson sits in front of the Sons of Norway Leif Erickson Hall. In this rendering he looks like a nice guy who's having a bad day.

July 9: Plush Toy

Actually it's a dog, but even when it's running around the yard it looks more like an animatronic caricature of a dog than a real animal.

July 8: Alley Rats

These rats are perpetually lurking in the alley by the Harvard Exit theater in Capitol Hill.

July 7: Adaptation

In a few days the G&S Society headquarters will be demolished and replaced with yet another South Lake Union biotech-related business. The G&S Society will live on, however - its new address is in Ballard.

From their web site: "The mission of the Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society has remained unchanged since its founding: Provide the highest quality Gilbert & Sullivan productions to a broad Pacific Northwest audience at an affordable price. Since 1982, the mission has included producing all thirteen Gilbert & Sullivan operettas in rotating order as finances permit." Their 2011 production of "Ruddigore" will appear at the Bagley Wright Theatre July 15-30.

July 6: Taken to an Extreme

This redwood box with tomato plants takes the concept of "raised bed" to a whole new level!

July 5: Summer Garden

The Lucifer crocosmia buds are emerging.

July 4: Happy Independence Day!

July 3: Just in Time for Summer....

...there's a new scupture at 4th and Blanchard. The Blogosphere is abuzz, but no one seems to know where it came from.

July 2: Plant Geometry

This ivy clearly knows exactly where it's going, and how it's going to get there.

July 1: Katie's New Bike

It's a Huffy "cruiser" (city bike) with wide white-wall tires, and Katie is VERY excited.