The Hallberg Memorial Bench

November 3, 2023 by Leave a Comment

Hi Rhonda, I meant to send you this long ago. Here is a bit about the memorial benches and a story Ada wrote. Please use any or all if it fits for the blog. As ever, thanks for all you do. Sincerely, Tia

My folks dear neighbor Ed Marcus arranged for a memorial for Ada and Bob Hallberg; both of them did a lot to build community, preserve our natural spaces and the history of the area.  Their memorial bench sits on Beach Drive at the foot of Jacobsen road and next to another memorial bench for a significant community activist, Suzy King. Ada and Suzy, worked to gather community involvement and support so that together they could preserve the green spaces and unobstructed views of the water that we all can enjoy today as we walk and drive along beach drive. Weather watch park, Mee Kwa mooks and more only exist today because people came together on an issue they agreed upon and they made it happen. The activism by my mother, Ada, Suzy and others made a difference. And their likemindedness override their differences. Ada’s description of “This Peaceful Spot” reminds us of the joy of having public access to the treasured beauty that surrounds us here.

This Peaceful Spot by Ada Hallberg
With my head down, I push along the rocky beach near Alki Lighthouse. A surge of the southwest wind is invigorating. I press my hands into my pocket as I plunge along. Out of the bay crisp caps of white froth appear like beaten egg whites. On the brink of the clear waves they foam against crystal water.
This is the beautiful picture I took for granted in my childhood. In my adulthood, as well – this incomparably beautiful sight, set off by the Olympic Mountains and the forest across the smooth calm of Puget Sound.
I feel the full strength of the wind as I round the Point — or, Constellation Park.
Carefully I cross the clay outcropping that folds, one over the other, even more exposed than they were ten years ago. Then, University of Washington Professor Dixie Lee Ray would often stand on the outcroppings in any kind of weather, lecturing her class on the beach’s biological and geological features:
“The crust of the earth is layered; it can fold up, it can buckle, and sometimes the parts beneath become exposed.” As one of her listeners, I wondered: was she talking about the clay? I had intended to phone her about that.
At 63rd Street I climb from the beach onto some large, black rocks; it is easy to step on one then another, until I get up to the sidewalk. I walk along and the beach is not within my view because the houses and apartments are close together.
After a half dozen blocks of walking on the sidewalk, I squeeze back down to the beach at Andover Street, using an obscured path in an overgrown area past a holly tree and over a pile of chopped wood.
I feel that I have intruded into a private space, although a few years ago the Grad family and Fred Fletcher bought this beach property and assured access for the public.
There used to be a spot on the beach here, somewhere, a bit sheltered in the wind. Ahh, yes, here it is: a quiet pool of water behind this log. Wait a minute! What is this? The body of a dead seagull in great disarray is floating, its neck all askew, its body bloated, its feathers discolored and matted. A rusty can with a partially attached label. At first I start to examine… Ohh, what’s the use!
Deliberately I look away towards the north. In my sight a davenport is sitting on the beach among the sand and rocks. Kelp is wrapping around the arm, some draped across the back; pillows are following off.
Waves dully roll in, now close to shore. There is a lethargy about these waves: the clearness gone from their crests; with slumped shoulders they push in. I turn my back and make my way to the sidewalk. Soon I will be at my destination, Carroll Street and Beach Drive. It is only a mile from where I began my walk at the lighthouse. I look forward to sitting in the small cove at the foot of Carroll Street, across from the Rustica Restaurant.
Finally arriving, I walk down to the small comfortable beach and lie among the logs. This 150 feet of waterfront is still open to the public, and most of us think it always will be; though we may be wrong about that. But for now, I will enjoy this peaceful spot.
Filed Under: Books, Parks, People

Micro Libraries on Beach Drive

June 21, 2014 by Leave a Comment

Micro-libraries are springing up all over and on Beach Drive, we have at least two (please let us know if we’re missing any)! These private mini-libraries offer free books and often encourage the community to borrower a book and perhaps, leave or donate a book. Each micro-library has their own unique design and personality.

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This is the first micro-library that I noticed on Beach Drive. It’s located by 4171 Beach Drive.

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This micro-library is located at 4710 Beach Drive, features a mini-garden along with a couple of chairs to relax in, should you decide to start reading there.

Want to find other micro-libraries in your area? Check out http://littlefreelibrary.org  which features an interactive map.  I wasn’t able to locate our Beach Drive libraries on the map – however, you’ll notice there are several others located in West Seattle.
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I’ve been meaning to write this post for quite a while…you could say it’s over-due. 🙂

Filed Under: Books, FREE Tagged With: ,

Sunday update on the wrecked Trimaran

February 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

 Just a few photos to provide an update this morning on the state of the trimaran which is tied up by the Harbor West Condos. A small debris field is next to the boat and it appears very little debris is in the park.

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Filed Under: Books Tagged With: ,

Luxury Super Yacht Arianna cruising off the shores of Beach Drive

May 30, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Ship

This from Super Yacht Times:

“Delta has launched its latest custom superyacht, Arianna. Designed and engineered by the Delta Design Group, Arianna is the largest all composite 50-meter, full-displacement motor yacht in the world. With more than 780 gross tons ITC, a beam of nearly 34 feet, and over 7,500 square feet of living area Arianna has more interior volume than any other yacht her length. Built to travel and explore, Arianna is capable of transoceanic cruising with fortitude and grace.”

Delta Marine is the same builder of the Laurel.  Order your super yacht today!

Filed Under: Books, Puget Sound Tagged With: , ,

Hear Author Joan Hockaday at the Log House Museum June 2

May 25, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Joan Hockaday, author of Greenscapes, Olmsted's Pacific Northwest, which WSU Press has published this spring, will talk about the influence of John Charles Olmsted on West Seattle, particularly his friendship with Ferdinand Schmitz whose land became Schmitz Park and Me-Kwa-Mooks Park.  The talk is Tuesday June 2nd at 7 p.m. at the Log House Museum, 3003 61st Ave. S.W., sponsored by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. 
 
Contact the museum for more information:  206-938-5293 or loghousemuseum@comcast.net.  The talk is free; books will be available. 
Filed Under: Books

Official Barking Dog Report: Nasty Wind and Waves

June 9, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Latest Puget Sound Marine Forecast:

…GALE WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 AM PDT TUESDAY…

TONIGHT…SW WIND 25 TO 35 KT BECOMING N 10 TO 20 KT NORTH PART AT TIMES. WIND DIMINISHING LATE TONIGHT. WIND WAVES 4 TO 6 FT EASING TO 2 FT LATE. SHOWERS AND A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS.

My first report from the Marine Forecast was that the gale warning would last until 11 Istock_000002610704medium_1 tonight (just prior to our high tide of 11:21 pm).  In light of how nasty this has been and that the wind and waves are still going strong, I think this justifies a "barking dog" report.

The City of Seattle says things will lighten up after midnight:

REST OF TONIGHT…WINDY. SHOWERS THIS EVENING…THEN NUMEROUS SHOWERS AFTER MIDNIGHT. LOWS IN THE 40S. SOUTHWEST WIND 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 40 MPH THIS EVENING…DECREASING TO 10 TO 20 MPH AFTER MIDNIGHT.

To be on the "safe side" we are dragging out our pumps and preparing for worse case scenario.   What are you doing?

Filed Under: Books, Safety, Weather

Local Author in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine

December 28, 2007 by 1 Comment

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Our very own Suky Hutton has a terrific article in the January 2008 issue of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine about the mysterious white rooster who was also featured on Beach Drive Blog.

It’s a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend you pick your copy today and check out the SeaTown Diary section with Suky’s article and learn more about Coner the white rooster of Mee Kwa Mooks Park.

Hat tip to Larry for giving me a heads up about our Beach Drive Neighbor.

Filed Under: Books, Just for fun, Parks, People, Pets, Wildlife