Friday, October 29, 2010

Section of a Huge, Old Tree at Lakewood Library


At the Lakewood Library there is a section a very old Douglas-fir tree on display. The tree was cut back in 1946 and was 597 years old when it was cut. It was cut because it had been struck by lightning and was rotting from the inside. You can read more about it on signs near the tree at the library, and there is more detailed information at these links:

http://search.tacomapubliclibrary.org/images/dt6n.asp?un=5&pg=1&krequest=subjects+contains+Tree+stumps+Tacoma+1940-1950&stemming=&phonic=&fuzzy=&maxfiles=

http://www.lakewoodhistorical.org/news_090130.php

There are reflections on the window, so I'm linking this post to Weekend Reflections.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Yellow Fire Hydrant

One of Lakewood's many yellow fire hydrants.

Waughop Lake in Autumn


The trees and the reflections are very beautiful.  Unfortunately, Waughop Lake has a problem with algae, so the lake is a little green at times, and pets and humans are advised not to come in contact with the water.

(I'm a little behind now, so this picture is for yesterday.)

This post is linked to Weekend Reflections.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Nearly Full Moon


The sky was clear and gorgeous last night giving a spectular view of the nearly full moon.  The moon will be full on October 23rd and will rise that evening shortly after 6pm.

This post is linked to Skywatch Friday.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Old Dock on Waughop Lake


As you can see, the dock is not in use anymore, by humans, that is.  It's a nice place for birds to perch, and this seagull sure likes it!

This post is linked to Watery Wednesday.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

The Trail Around Waughop Lake


The 9/10 mile paved loop trail around Waughop Lake at Fort Steilacoom Park is one of the best places to walk in Lakewood.  The path trail is wide, the area is peaceful, and the scenery is beautiful.  It often has gorgeous sunsets that reflect on the water of the lake.  There are many birds there--mallards and coots and Canadian Geese (though not the geese so much recently) often swim on the lake, and you may even spot a wood duck.  We've seen cormorants there, and a couple times we've even seen bald eagles perched high in black cottonwood trees near the edge of the lake.  Beautiful plants and trees surround the lake--willow, black locust, black cottonwood, coast redwood, douglas fir, and more. 

Way back until a little over 30 years ago it used to be a one-way road that cars could drive around.  My husband fondly remembers he and his sister, when children, taking turns sitting on their father's lap while driving around the lake.  They would put their hands on the steering wheel with their father and steer around the lake together.

Though the time when cars could travel around it is long past, these days the paved trail around the lake provides a wonderful place for families and people of all ages to travel around on foot or bicycle.

This post is linked to
Outdoor Wednesday.