Thursday, November 29, 2007

Seattle - Snoqualmie Falls


snoqualmie

Seattle has very scenic surroundings. Mountains, rivers, waterfalls, forests and so on…. The Snoqualmie waterfall is a beautiful one. It is just as high as 270 feet. The Jog is three times higher than this. Nevertheless, this waterfall is very well maintained. There are hiking trails to the base of the fall and several vista points. There are plenty of maple trees in the vicinity. The long drive to this place from Snohomish where Barb lives was very beautiful.





Check out more pictures in their original size at Seattle - Snoqualmie Falls

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Seattle Day 2 – Riding the Duck and Downtown


seattle

The DUCK is an amphibious World War II vehicle that will show you Seattle from both land and water. You get to see downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, and then, splash into Lake Union for a spectacular view of the city skyline, luxurious yachts, and Seattle Houseboats!
The popularly pronounced DUCK is actually DUKW. It is a six-wheel-drive amphibious truck that was originally designed inside General Motors Corporation during World War II for transporting goods and troops over land and water and for use approaching and crossing beaches in amphibious attacks.

The designation of DUKW is not a military pun - the name comes from the terminology used for military vehicles in World War II; the D indicates a vehicle designed in 1942, the U meant "utility (amphibious)", the K indicated all-wheel drive and the W indicated two powered rear axles.

The experience music project is the weirdest structure I have seen in my life. It is a museum that houses rock music artifacts and such exhibits. The museum presumably takes the shape of a crashed/smashed electric guitar. This was built by Bill Gates’ right hand named Paul Allen, also the co founder of Microsoft. The building was described by Forbes magazine as one of the world's 10 ugliest buildings. The building cost him 240 million dollars!!

The space needle was awesome. What a view you get from a 500 feet high observation deck! Never before has a 360 degree view been so perfect and so full of beauty. The space needle looks futuristic and will always look so.

The tall buildings of Seattle never ceased to fascinate me. I photographed almost every building. Barb called me “a kid in a candy store”. I like that title.

Pike’s place market was interesting, bustling with people and activity. Much talked about was the fish market where the salesmen throw fish and the other salesmen catch them. It’s tradition. It definitely requires skill to catch these fish, given the fact that they are so slippery, slimy etc…





View pictures in their original size at Seattle - Ride the Duck....Downtown and More....

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Seattle - Mount Pilchuck


mt pilchuck and more

19th October 2007

This was my first visit to Seattle. I say this not because there has been a second visit but because I found this place and it’s vicinities so beautiful that I know I will visit this place again.
I was enjoying the hospitality of Barbara and Pamela. Two of the sweetest people I have known in my life who made my visit to the US very very memorable. I love you and I thank you both.

The first day of my stay there (I stayed there for 3 days), we visited Mount Pilchuck. I have no words to describe the beauty of this place or I may say that I have too many words. The pictures will speak for themselves.




Do visit Seattle - Mount Pilchuck for pictures in thier original size.

Yosemite and Muir Woods


Inspiration Point

The western slopes of Sierra Nevada mountain range.
3000 square kilometers of tranquility
Strength of enormous granite cliffs
Power of glaciers
Waterfalls
Grand meadows
Deep valleys
Giant sequoias
A vast wilderness

called…………

YOSEMITE

I also visited Muir woods which is a shrine of tall, ancient redwood trees of California.

Muir woods

Enjoy all the pictures ......




Do visit
Yosemite and Muir Woods for pictures in their original size...