More Tacoma Attractions

The Museum of Flight

Sponsored by Boeing, the Museum of Flight holds one of the largest collections of vintage aircraft in the United States. We spent a day touring the many exhibit halls and outdoor exhibits. Boeing was gearing up for a three day celebration of their 100th Anniversary. Their main parking lot was closed; however, bus service was provided from a remote lot. It was a spectacular air museum, with galleries and films dedicated to WWI, WWII, Space Travel, The Great Gallery and extensive displays on the history of aviation and Boeing Corporation.

The relocated Red Barn (left) is the original
Boeing manufacturing plant.

The Great Gallery displayed planes from all
aviation history, starting with the Wright 1903 Flyer
through the first century of human flight.

There were more than 60 aircraft in this gallery.

The beloved Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was
displayed in the outdoor Aviation Pavilion.

A reproduction of the Red Baron's WWI Plane

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt from WWII

Point Defiance Park

We took a five mile scenic drive around the 765 acre Point Defiance Park. The Park is home to hundreds of miles of walking trails, public beaches, gardens, zoo, aquarium and a marina. We spent most of the day exploring this point and park which offers many views of Puget Sound.

A very nice medium sized zoo.

Late lunch after the zoo.

The weather was perfect for sitting outside.
The Washington State Ferry runs between
Point Defiance and Vashon Island each hour.

Chihuly Glass

Dale Chihuly, a Tacoma native and glass artist, is a world renowned glass blower and sculptor. His works of art are in many public buildings in downtown Tacoma and Seattle. We viewed them in Tacoma Union Station as well as the Museum of Glass.

Tacoma Union Station is across the Bridge of Glass from
The Museum of Glass.
Though no longer a train station, this federal building
is home to a number of large Chihuly glass works.

Hanging from the center of the dome, this sculpture
represents a mass of withering, multicolored snakes.

Union Station Monarch Window

Museum of Glass

Inside of the 90 foot tall cone is a state of the
art Hot Shop.The cone acts as a ventilator
for the heat generated by all the glass ovens.

We observed glass blowing in the
Hot Shop for about an hour.

We were fortunate to watch Lino Tagliapietra, now 80,
a Glass Master from Italy create.

Blue Footed Boobies

Oversized Blown Fruit

Bridge of Glass

Sitka, Alaska

The cruise ended in Sitka, where we spent 2 days before flying back to Seattle. This small, walkable town of 9,000 people is the 4th largest town in Alaska. We stayed at the Westmark, one of the three hotels in town. The town is still heavily influenced by its Russian heritage. This is where the 1804 battle between the Russians and the native Tlingit people took place.

Westmark Hotel

Alaska Raptor Center

The mission of the Center is to rehabilitate and
release injured bald eagles and other birds of prey.

Built in 1842 by the Russian American Company
as a residence for the Russian Orthodox Bishop.

Now a National Historic Landmark Park, it is
the oldest intact Russian building in Sitka.

St. Michael's Cathedral, a Russian Orthodox cathedral.

Although Sitka is on the outside edge of the
barrier island, there are many small picturesque
islands just beyond Sitka Harbor.

Totem Square
Pioneer Home in the background is a state home
for elderly Alaskans, built in 1934.

This National Historical Park is the site of the
1804 battle of the Tlingit and Russians.
There are 13 totem poles lining a forested path
and several others preserved within the visitor center.

Wilderness Explorer - An Un-Cruise Adventure



Saturday afternoon, July 16, we boarded the Wilderness Explorer for a one week trip exploring the inside passage of Alaska as well as Glacier Bay National Park. This cruise is offered by Un-Cruise Adventures. For us, the attraction to Un-Cruise was the small ship size (72 passengers) as well as the active adventures and wildlife viewing, with no stop in cities. The Un-Cruise brochures stated: Unrushed, Uncrowded, Unbelievable. They delivered on their promise. Activities offered were kayaking, paddle boarding, shore walking, bushwhacking, skiff tours, snorkeling and just plain sight seeing.



Our Seven Day - 500 Mile Itinerary

Our room, 310, was on the top deck near the bridge.

Small Boat - Small Cabin
Enough Said

On our way to an unbelievable week.

Getting trained on kayak safety.

Neah Bay.
Kayaks and skiff are ready to go.

Relaxing after a day of adventure.

Sunset over the Fairweather Mountains.
10:30 p.m.

Captain woke us up at 6:30 a.m. for our first view
of Margerie Glacier at Glacier Bay National Park.

Margerie Glacier with Mount Fairweather (15,300 feet)
 in the background.

Polar Plunge (Brrrrr)

Enroute to another tidewater glacier

Glacier Bay became part of a binational
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.

 

Johns Hopkins Glacier

We had exceptional weather for our "Glacier Bay Day".

 



Approaching Marble Island in the National Park.

We were very lucky to see these three birds together
on Marble Island.
Common Murre, Horned Puffin and Tufted Puffin

Marble Island is a favorite hangout for
Stellar Sea Lions.

Still plenty of daylight at 7:30 p.m. for a stop
and hike at the visitor center.

A skiff ride to shore for bushwhacking with
our guide Michele.

This is a wilderness area, there are
no established trails

We got a lot of use out of our rubber boots and rain
pants during wet shore landings and crossing streams.

Preparing for our afternoon skiff ride.

Kayaking was one of our favorite activities.

Ok, lunch was good, but when is the next adventure.

Preparing for a shore walk.

We saw brown bears on multiple occasions.
Humpback and orca were an everyday occurrence.

Cushion Sea Star

Sea Cucumber

We must have kayaked 30 miles

The Fantail made it easy to launch/return our kayaks.