FRANKIE FEETSPLINTERS

 Next stop was Ballard where Frankie Feetsplinters hangs out in front of the National Nordic Museum.

I sketched him while Darrell took a walk in the neighborhood.

Then we walked down the block to have lunch at Portage Bay Cafe, one of our favorite places.

OSCAR THE BIRD KING

 We got on the 7:40am ferry to Vashon Island and made our way to Point Robinson Park where Oscar the Bird King lives.

I came to sketch him. He was in the shade and it was a bit cold, but there were logs arranged to sit and visit with him, so it was very pleasant.  Darrell walked down to the beach to see the lighthouse.

Then we headed back to the ferry and got some popcorn.  When I worked and went to Vashon, a lot of the times I would get a little bag of popcorn - the highlight of the day sometimes.  

Today turned out to be a beautiful day.  The sun was shining and life is good.

Then we made our way to Ballard for our next stop.

PORT TOWNSEND TRIP

 Darrell, Jelly and I headed out early for Port Townsend.  Darrell needs a lot of hardwoods for upcoming projects.

First stop was on Bainbridge Island to visit with Pia the Peacekeeper.

Then, after I dropped Darrell at Edensaw, Jelly and I went to Fort Worden for a damp morning walk.  There were lots of trees down from the strong winds and rain last night.  We crawled over and around three that were across the road on the way up.

It wasn't raining in Port Townsend, but it had rained all the way until we got here.  And it was raining as soon as we got back out to the road home.

It's nice to be home.

BENNY THE BEARDFISHER

 I left Pictured Rocks and headed south to Germfask, Michigan to meet Benny the Beardfisher, another troll made by Thomas Dambo.  Benny lives near the river in a campground that is privately owned.  They charge a small fee to walk the short distance to Benny.  It is a very nice campground and if you’re planning on visiting this area, I would recommend it.

I took my sketchbook and walked up to see him.  It started raining a short time after I got there, but not enough to deter me or anyone else.  He did get a lot of visitors.  Everyone seemed delighted.

I left Benny to his fishing, and headed south.  I wanted to get as far as the bridge to the lower half of Michigan.  Apparently, everyone was leaving the UP for home, this Sunday afternoon in the rain.  I got to within 4 miles of the bridge when the traffic came to a complete stop and didn’t move for ten minutes.  I spent that time trying to find a hotel in St. Ignace, the cell service was very weak, but this was the best I’d seen it all day.  I finally got Waze to redirect me off the main freeway, and head me into town on the side roads, along with a whole lot of other travelers.  It backed up too, but I was able finally to get around that mess and make my way down towards my hotel.  I spotted a restaurant on the way and stopped for some lunch/dinner.  I sketched while sitting at the bar and waiting for my Rueben sandwich.

JAKOB TWO TREES

 I drove out to Issaquah this morning.  I wanted to see and sketch Jakob Two Trees, another troll by Thomas Dambo.  Jakob lives a short walk down the Rainier Trail.  He is very popular, with a steady stream of admirers and folks that wanted to see him.

Then, since I was in Issaquah, I stopped at Gossypium Quilt Shop.  I brought along Hugs and Kisses and NYC.  I was looking for fabrics I could use on the backings of them.  You know how you have something in mind when you go into the store?  Yea, I can never find that.  But, I did find fabric that is acceptable.  It's only the back anyway.

TROLL IN THE PARK

 The Danish artist, Thomas Dambo, has installed one of his trolls in Lincoln Park.  We've been watching the construction process over the past week.

Today we walked down to the beach (along with hundreds of fisherpeople).  

This is Bruuniden, playing her flute in homage to the Orcas.  She is wearing jewelry of shells and tree bark, made by local artist John 'Coyote' Halliday.

I sat down to sketch her.