Today, Ned and I took a walk down to downtown Tacoma's waterfront.
Heading down Schuster Parkway towards Thea's Park.
On the 4th Street bridge, looking north you can see the railroad sidings and Temco, the grain exporter.
Looking south, you can see the Murray Morgan Bridge which connects downtown to the port over 11th Street. This was closed in 2007 after the collapse of the I-35 bridge in Minnesota and opened again in 2013 after comprehensive rehabilitation.
A closer look at the ship Dansas.
Looking down at Thea's Park, where the 2014 Tacoma type-out was held.
Walking south along Dock Street, you can see the old city hall with its broken clock behind the I-705 exit ramps.
Now, Dock Street doesn't connect to downtown Tacoma for quite a while due to the railyard and a steep hill. But what's this I see?
Yes, it's a glass elevator! This saves walking 8 blocks out of your way to get into downtown. At first I was a little suspicious about whether it could be open to the public or not. It seemed too perfect.
There is even a nice mural and art installation under the bridge.
I had to take a video riding up the glass elevator, of course. This is facing north towards Thea's Park and eventually the Olympic Mountains.
Now on bridge level, looking down.
Looking towards the bridge from downtown.
I took a short detour down Cliff Ave (which is hardly an avenue, more like a back alley) for another look at the bridge.
After the bridge was bypassed by SR-509, WSDOT wanted to tear it down. The City of Tacoma bought it and after several years of neglect, finally closed and restored it.
Walking north again on A Street to the 9th Street intersection looking into the heart of the Theater District. You can see the Tacoma Link crossing the street.
Getting closer to home now, walking up the steps towards the old Elk's Lodge.
Ned was worn out after all this fast walking uphill. A tired puppy is a happy puppy. I, too, think it's brilliant that we have all of these cool places within walking distance.
