Nuts and trains

Today we paid our first visit to yet another Seattle gem - Carkeek Park. It is a wooded park, with a beach on Puget Sound, and several miles of shaded trails. Heard about it from my neighbor yesterday. In no traffic, it's about a 15 minute drive.

Some of the first non-native settlers to Seattle planted an orchard with several different kinds of trees which are still there: apples, pears, cherries, filberts, and as pictured, walnut trees. Not surprisingly, some city residents have committed themselves to caring for this little orchard. Also, there is Piper Creek in which salmon still spawn (apparently, will have to check back in November). 

The beach is delightful-looking although there are several hazard signs, warning people away from eating any shellfish/clams dug up from there. Between the park and the beach is a railroad right of way and while we were standing on the overpass, a couple of freight trains went by - one of them had 3 Boeing fuselages on them. That's not something you see everyday... Except maybe you do if you live near there... There were lots of children who were absolutely thrilled to stand on the overpass and watch the trains go by. (In the extra, the fuselages are noticeable for their bright teal green coverings.)