View from Point Defiance, Tacoma

Mt. Rainier is an inspiring presence hovering over the landscape. Although only forty miles from Tacoma, it sometimes seems close enough to touch, and other times isn't visible at all through the marine layer. For travelers, it is a bright gift glimpsed between buildings, a trusty landmark, an orientation point to settle the spirit.

We finished our sketching sessions this morning, kinda cold after yesterday's high temps to be sitting on the concrete sussing out a sense of perspective and architectural detail, but invigorating to be surrounded by fellow sketchers all intent on their last drawings. A final group photo, and, yes, the original tribe had dwindled somewhat by Sunday at noon, and the announcement: next year Vancouver! Yes, we all answered, oh yes, are you up for it? Let's go!

After bowls of fragrant and reviving pho in a little place on the main street, we opted to drive out to Point Defiance, a huge city park at the tip of the peninsula. Water is everywhere here--inlets and fingers and marshes and bays. We walked, we ate, we admitted we were tired. This view of the mountain juxtaposed to the harbor blew me away; it feels like a stage set or a mural. The countless white roofs are all boathouses, necessary in this climate to protect the vessels, but puzzling to me because I thought it was housing.

I didn't come away with many drawings, but I am so inspired to keep sketching and improve my skills. Nothing but good things to say about all the welcoming, friendly folks who made the Sketch Crawl possible. Look up Urban Sketchers in your area if any of this sounds interesting to you.