Volunteer Park Conservatory

Seattle's Volunteer Park Conservatory is an historic landmark on Capitol Hill. Established in 1912, this Victorian glasshouse has been called a jewel in the crown of Seattle parks. With five distinct houses (Palm, Seasonal, Cactus, Fern, and Bromeliad), the Conservatory displays a beautiful variety of tropical and subtropical plant life. It has 3,426 panes of glass, which are covered by a chalky paint in early summer. The paint is washed off in the fall, when solar heat is less intense.

I was impressed by the photo opportunities provided by the beauty of the flowers and foliage in the diffuse natural light from the windows. My favorites were the carnivorous plants which included Venus Fly Traps, Sundews, and Pitcher Plants. What can be more interesting than a vegetable that eats meat.

The Conservatory costs adults $4, kids $2, under 12 FREE.

It is set in Volunteer Park, which dates back to 1876 and features 48 acres of beautiful trees and gardens. The Seattle Asian Art Museum and an observation deck atop a water tower are other impressive structures in this park near downtown Seattle. An amphitheater, wading pool and play areas make this a park for all ages and most interests.

Bruce Lee and his son, Brandon are buried in the adjacent Lake View Cemetery but I did not visit. It seemed to long a walk on a day when my Fitbit logged more than 8 miles of walking up and down hills. It was fenced in and the entry was about a mile in the wrong direction, uphill. It will make my to do list for another visit.

Click here for photos of my visit to the Conservatory.

Planes, Trains and Ubers

Transportation was a prominent feature of my recent visit to Seattle. It began with a surprisingly comfortable non-stop flight on Alaska Airlines across the country. Big city life is all about public transportation and Seattle excels in this area. The light rail train zipped us through the neighborhoods and buses filled the gaps. I love the the convenience of jumping on a train and jumping off at your destination. The round trip is cheaper than downtown parking.

I took my first three Lyft trips in Seattle, as well. It did not cost much more than a train ride when you divide it by a few riders. Plus there is no need to walk. They come to you.

We did a lot of walking. Usually, in short trips to the the train station or bus stop but sometimes to a park or restaurant. My Fitbit recorded an average of five miles per day with a high day of eight miles. Much of the walking involved hills; some steep. With all that walking I was surprised to see so many small gyms with treadmills throughout the neighborhood. I suppose it was because of all that rain. I walked in some of that, too.

My favorite public transportation event was the water taxi. It moved fast over Elliot Bay with no discernible rocking motion, dropping us into the suburban paradise of West Seattle.

Everywhere in the city I saw Lime scooters, motorized bicycles and other such app accessible devices. I did not take advantage of this particular convenience. I didn't ride an ambulance, either. Perhaps, the direct result of passing on the scooters.

I didn't add up the cost but I'm pretty sure our transportation costs were less than renting a car, especially if you calculate parking costs; assuming you can find a space. Even if it costs a little more, there is the hard to calculate convenience of not driving and the time spent getting and returning the rental car.

And the walking? My doctors want me to do more.