Sunday, March 31, 2013

Photo-of-the-Week #100 - Gasworks Park, Seattle, Washington, July 2012



This scene inspired me as a modern version of Stonehenge. Obviously, there are a lot of differences like the period in history when each was created, the materials each was created from and certainly their purposes were very different. But, they were both man made and illustrate the creativity of the human mind. Additionally, they indicate the engineering ability and creativity of people from both periods.

I found this place to be interesting. As you can see, it was another of the (for my taste) too frequent overcast days in Seattle. While I've not, yet, had the opportunity of visiting Stonehenge in England, I wonder if the sky isn't overcast in that region much of the time, as well. I also found it to be a stark contrast with the modern cityscape of Seattle in the background across Lake Union. The gas works operated from 1906 until 1956 and provided gas from coal. Much of the gas powered the city of Seattle and was instrumental in the growth of the city. Today the ruins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The ruins are considered industrial archeology and represent the Industrial Revolution.

My son took me to the park to enjoy a delicious lunch of Salmon and chips that we picked up at one of the long established fish carryouts in the area. We sat on the shore of Lake Union and watched some boats and a few seaplanes - and one lone stand-up paddle boarder in a wet suit paddling by. It always amazes me how the U.S. is one country and, yet, there are so many unique differences from region to region, state to state and city to city. This is the lore and the lure of the nomad - to explore and experience all the uniqueness.   

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

If our country was settled back when Europe was, each of our states would be a separate country. Imagine having to have a passport to cross state lines. Or having to exchange currency at some of them. And learn a new language to ask for the location of the bathroom. When foreigners are surprised at how few of our countrymen travel outside the US it's because they don't realize how far we can travel and still be within our own borders. Even if we can't always understand the locals. :)

Ed Helvey said...

Absolutely, Linda. But Europe attempted to create a more open travel, commerce and social structure through the European Union and going to a single currency and that appears to be falling apart since the country and cultural differences are so great. Interestingly, those same cultures came to the U.S. and assimilated through the melting pot process and it worked here. Yet, we still have enough cultural and societal differences to make the U.S. amazingly interesting as you travel from place to place. But, on the other hand, while we do have this amazing diversity in America, there is still so much to learn and experience by visiting "native" cultures around the world.