Tacoma and Puyallup

My next stop was in Puyallup, WA, where I could see the local stuff and visit Tacoma. It was a great location. My first stop was the Museum of Glass in Tacoma.

To get there, we walked over the Bridge of Glass. It's not really a glass bridge, but has cool glass decorations.

The walls are decorated with the artworks of Dale Chihuly.

As is the ceiling.

Inside the museum you can see the visiting artists blowing glass.

Actually, I think the visiting artists were the supervisors.

The museum also has lots of works of art from various artists. I really like the detail in this one.

We also got to vote for our favorite in another area. I voted for the Blue Footed Boobies, because I'm going to see them in person in a couple of months.

Across the bridge from the museum is the City Hall, in the old Union Station. When you go somewhere with Lyn, you have to be prepared to do some crazy poses...

Inside is more Chihuly glass, both in the windows -

And the hall.

We also drove down to see the Spanish steps, not quite as grand as the ones in Rome, but pretty nice...

And right next to the old Elks Temple.

We're staying at the Elks Lodge in Puyallup. Really nice place to stay, if you are an Elks member. There's a Volcano warning siren there.

It scared me half to death when it went off. Apparently they test it once a month. I didn't understand why you would go to higher ground - up the volcano?

We also went to the Puyallup farmers market - lots of beautiful flowers there.

And we did a self-tour of the Meeker Mansion in Puyallup. Ezra Meeker was mayor of Puyallup, and self-appointed Champion of the Oregon Trail.

I've been to a lot of old mansions over the past year, but I was impressed by this fireplace cover.

We also went to see the musical "Beauty and the Beast" in nearby Sumner. Great!!!

And, saving the best for last, I found my favorite store - only a block from the Elks Lodge!