*Hop, step and jump in USA (1) - Seattle*
3 of us came to Seattle yesterday evening (21 May) to begin our hop, step and jump in the US, covering 3 cities: namely Seattle in the state of Washington, Las Vegas in Nevada and San Antonio in Texas.
Seattle has a city population of 610,000 and a metro population of 3.7 millions. Today toured downtown Seattle. First the Pike Place Market and the sea front, 1st to 4th photo. The 4th photo shows the 1st store opened by Starbuck worldwide, in 1971. Right at Pike Place.
Visited the St James Catholic Cathedral of Seattle, completed in 1907 . Very dark inside. The next 2 photos show the unusually shaped Seattle Central Library.
Another unusual building is the 44-storey Rainier Tower with a 11-storey pedestal base tapering towards the ground level. Other structures are the Chinatown Gate at the International District, the King Street Station at the Pioneer Square and the Century Link Field (a stadium) in Sodo.
*在美国三级跳（1） - 西雅图*
我们3个人昨天（5月21日）晚上来到西雅图，开始我们在美国三个城市作三级跳：华盛顿州的西雅图，内华达州的拉斯维加斯和德克萨斯州的圣安东尼奥。
西雅图市中心人口为61万，加上周边城市人口是370万。今天我们在市中心观光。 首先是Pike市场和海滨，第一至第四张照片。 第四张照片显示的是1971年星巴克在全球开设的第一家咖啡店，就在Pike Place。
参观了天主教西雅图教区的主教堂，于1907年建成。 里面特别暗。另两张照片显示的是西雅图中央图书馆，很不寻常的形状。
另一座奇异的建筑是44层高的Rainier Tower，其11层高的基座建筑独一无二。其他建筑包括国际区的唐人街拱门，一个旧区的火车站和一个体育馆。
3 of us came to Seattle yesterday evening (21 May) to begin our hop, step and jump in the US, covering 3 cities: namely Seattle in the state of Washington, Las Vegas in Nevada and San Antonio in Texas.
Seattle has a city population of 610,000 and a metro population of 3.7 millions. Today toured downtown Seattle. First the Pike Place Market and the sea front, 1st to 4th photo. The 4th photo shows the 1st store opened by Starbuck worldwide, in 1971. Right at Pike Place.
Visited the St James Catholic Cathedral of Seattle, completed in 1907 . Very dark inside. The next 2 photos show the unusually shaped Seattle Central Library.
Another unusual building is the 44-storey Rainier Tower with a 11-storey pedestal base tapering towards the ground level. Other structures are the Chinatown Gate at the International District, the King Street Station at the Pioneer Square and the Century Link Field (a stadium) in Sodo.
*在美国三级跳（1） - 西雅图*
我们3个人昨天（5月21日）晚上来到西雅图，开始我们在美国三个城市作三级跳：华盛顿州的西雅图，内华达州的拉斯维加斯和德克萨斯州的圣安东尼奥。
西雅图市中心人口为61万，加上周边城市人口是370万。今天我们在市中心观光。 首先是Pike市场和海滨，第一至第四张照片。 第四张照片显示的是1971年星巴克在全球开设的第一家咖啡店，就在Pike Place。
参观了天主教西雅图教区的主教堂，于1907年建成。 里面特别暗。另两张照片显示的是西雅图中央图书馆，很不寻常的形状。
另一座奇异的建筑是44层高的Rainier Tower，其11层高的基座建筑独一无二。其他建筑包括国际区的唐人街拱门，一个旧区的火车站和一个体育馆。
* * * * * * * * *
*Hop, step and jump in USA (2) - Seattle*
Today we visited the icon of Seattle: the Space Needle, in service since 1962. Queuing time 40 minutes, the lift takes about a minute to go up to the observatory deck, 158 m high, 360 degree all round view on a sunny day.
Next the Museum of Pop Culture: music, print, media, leisure, etc. Unusual setting and exhibits. 3rd to 6th photo - wavy exterior building surface, decorated staircase, an optical illusion set and the guitar pile.
The glasses on display at the Chihuly Garden are simply breathtaking. A combination of colour and light never seen before. Showing a shot in the exterior garden and 3 shots in the interior garden of the collection called Mille Frori or "A thousand flower". More photos on other themes tomorrow.
After spending around 90 USD as entrance fees for the 3 sights earlier it was a relief that the 4th was free: the Olympic Sculpture Park. Last 2 photos.
*在美国三级跳（2） - 西雅图*
今天我们参观了西雅图的地标：太空针塔。1962年开始投入使用。 电梯只要一分钟就能送你到高158米的瞭望台，全方位360度观景，不过排队需40分钟。
下来是流行文化博物馆。音乐，媒体，休闲，等等。 第3至第6张照片 - 波浪状的建筑外壳，奇异装饰的楼梯，光学错觉感应设备和吉他丘。
在Chihuly花园展出的玻璃作品，令人叹为观止。 展览摆设依不同主题。这里介绍的是以”花园”为主题的作品。明天再贴其他的。
前面三个景点都是收费的，每人已花了90美元，第四个景点欣喜是个免费的。奥林匹克雕塑花园，最后两张照片。
Today we visited the icon of Seattle: the Space Needle, in service since 1962. Queuing time 40 minutes, the lift takes about a minute to go up to the observatory deck, 158 m high, 360 degree all round view on a sunny day.
Next the Museum of Pop Culture: music, print, media, leisure, etc. Unusual setting and exhibits. 3rd to 6th photo - wavy exterior building surface, decorated staircase, an optical illusion set and the guitar pile.
The glasses on display at the Chihuly Garden are simply breathtaking. A combination of colour and light never seen before. Showing a shot in the exterior garden and 3 shots in the interior garden of the collection called Mille Frori or "A thousand flower". More photos on other themes tomorrow.
After spending around 90 USD as entrance fees for the 3 sights earlier it was a relief that the 4th was free: the Olympic Sculpture Park. Last 2 photos.
*在美国三级跳（2） - 西雅图*
今天我们参观了西雅图的地标：太空针塔。1962年开始投入使用。 电梯只要一分钟就能送你到高158米的瞭望台，全方位360度观景，不过排队需40分钟。
下来是流行文化博物馆。音乐，媒体，休闲，等等。 第3至第6张照片 - 波浪状的建筑外壳，奇异装饰的楼梯，光学错觉感应设备和吉他丘。
在Chihuly花园展出的玻璃作品，令人叹为观止。 展览摆设依不同主题。这里介绍的是以”花园”为主题的作品。明天再贴其他的。
前面三个景点都是收费的，每人已花了90美元，第四个景点欣喜是个免费的。奥林匹克雕塑花园，最后两张照片。
* * * * * * * * *
*Hop, step and jump in USA (3) - Seattle*
Today is cold and cloudy. We were at the waterfront and joined a 2+ hour lock cruise marketed by Argosy Cruises. 2 waterfront scenes. The 3rd photo shows the Edgewater Hotel where previously guests (including the Beatles in 1964) could fish from the windows. The 5th photo shows houseboats where people stay permanently, said to be cheaper than a similar-area house on land.
The highlight is experiencing the locking of the cruise ship. 6th photo shows it inside the lock (9 m by 46 m, smaller of 2 locks) with water filling up the lock to raise the ship to a level about 3 m higher to continue cruising in the river. The 7th photo shows the spillway with 6 gates.
The next 5 photos shows more exhibits at the Chihuly Garden visited yesterday. Dale Chihuly, born 1941, is an American sculptor whose blown glass compilations has become large scale sculptures. The exhibits posted here are containers, boats and ceilings.
*在美国三级跳（3） - 西雅图*
今天是个寒冷阴天。 我们参加了一艘小游轮的巡航，两个多小时。 示两张海滨场景。 第三张照片展示的是Edgewater酒店。此酒店以前可以容许客人（包括披头士乐队）从窗户钓鱼而聞名。 第五张照片展示的是船屋，船屋比陆地上的房屋便宜。
这次的巡航重点是体验一艘船怎样采用水闸来调整船只航行水位。第六张照片展示游轮位于水闸内，水填满后，游轮可升高约3米，在高水位河上继续航行。 第七张照片展示有六个闸门的溢洪道。
最后的五张照片展示昨天去的Chihuly花园的更多陈列品。这些吹制的玻璃产品出自Dale Chihuly之手。他生于1941年，是一位美国雕塑家。这次贴的陈列品有容器，船只和天花板。
Today is cold and cloudy. We were at the waterfront and joined a 2+ hour lock cruise marketed by Argosy Cruises. 2 waterfront scenes. The 3rd photo shows the Edgewater Hotel where previously guests (including the Beatles in 1964) could fish from the windows. The 5th photo shows houseboats where people stay permanently, said to be cheaper than a similar-area house on land.
The highlight is experiencing the locking of the cruise ship. 6th photo shows it inside the lock (9 m by 46 m, smaller of 2 locks) with water filling up the lock to raise the ship to a level about 3 m higher to continue cruising in the river. The 7th photo shows the spillway with 6 gates.
The next 5 photos shows more exhibits at the Chihuly Garden visited yesterday. Dale Chihuly, born 1941, is an American sculptor whose blown glass compilations has become large scale sculptures. The exhibits posted here are containers, boats and ceilings.
*在美国三级跳（3） - 西雅图*
今天是个寒冷阴天。 我们参加了一艘小游轮的巡航，两个多小时。 示两张海滨场景。 第三张照片展示的是Edgewater酒店。此酒店以前可以容许客人（包括披头士乐队）从窗户钓鱼而聞名。 第五张照片展示的是船屋，船屋比陆地上的房屋便宜。
这次的巡航重点是体验一艘船怎样采用水闸来调整船只航行水位。第六张照片展示游轮位于水闸内，水填满后，游轮可升高约3米，在高水位河上继续航行。 第七张照片展示有六个闸门的溢洪道。
最后的五张照片展示昨天去的Chihuly花园的更多陈列品。这些吹制的玻璃产品出自Dale Chihuly之手。他生于1941年，是一位美国雕塑家。这次贴的陈列品有容器，船只和天花板。
* * * * * * * * *
*Hop, step and jump in USA (4) - Seattle*
Today is a cloudy day with some drizzles, typical Seattle weather. Our cousin Sean met up with us and was our driver/guide. First visited the Bellevue Botanical Garden, spending an hour there. The park has gone high tech: scanning the QR code will reveal info about the flora around that locality - 3rd photo. The purple flowers are the foxgloves or digitalis, and lastly the poppy is also a flower.
The Snoqualmie Falls is a waterfall 82 m high to the east of Seattle. To the local Snoqualmie people, the mist created at the base is the bridge between heaven and earth.
Lastly visited the Museum of Flight. Model of the first plane made by the Wright brothers - 8th photo. The first fighter plane, the Italian-made Caproni Ca 20 debuted in 1914 - 9th photo. The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a WW2 war plane - 10th photo. And planes in the gallery.
*在美国三级跳（4） - 西雅图*
今天是带雨阴天，典型西雅图天气。 我们住在西雅图的表弟SS带我们逛街。先去Bellevue植物园走了一个小时。 第三张照片－公园进入高科技时代：扫描二维码就可获得周边植物的资料。紫色的花是洋地黄，罂粟也是一种花。
Snoqualmie瀑布位于西雅图以东，高82米。 对土著的Snoqualmie人来说，瀑布下的薄雾是连接天地之间的桥梁。
最后参观了飞行博物馆。 第8张照片－Wright兄弟制作的第一架飞机的模型。 第9张－第一架战斗机，意大利制造的Caproni Ca 2，于1914年首次亮相 。第10张－Republic P-47 Thunderbolt，一款第二次世界大战时的战斗机。最后两张是大展览厅里的飞机群。
Today is a cloudy day with some drizzles, typical Seattle weather. Our cousin Sean met up with us and was our driver/guide. First visited the Bellevue Botanical Garden, spending an hour there. The park has gone high tech: scanning the QR code will reveal info about the flora around that locality - 3rd photo. The purple flowers are the foxgloves or digitalis, and lastly the poppy is also a flower.
The Snoqualmie Falls is a waterfall 82 m high to the east of Seattle. To the local Snoqualmie people, the mist created at the base is the bridge between heaven and earth.
Lastly visited the Museum of Flight. Model of the first plane made by the Wright brothers - 8th photo. The first fighter plane, the Italian-made Caproni Ca 20 debuted in 1914 - 9th photo. The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, a WW2 war plane - 10th photo. And planes in the gallery.
*在美国三级跳（4） - 西雅图*
今天是带雨阴天，典型西雅图天气。 我们住在西雅图的表弟SS带我们逛街。先去Bellevue植物园走了一个小时。 第三张照片－公园进入高科技时代：扫描二维码就可获得周边植物的资料。紫色的花是洋地黄，罂粟也是一种花。
Snoqualmie瀑布位于西雅图以东，高82米。 对土著的Snoqualmie人来说，瀑布下的薄雾是连接天地之间的桥梁。
最后参观了飞行博物馆。 第8张照片－Wright兄弟制作的第一架飞机的模型。 第9张－第一架战斗机，意大利制造的Caproni Ca 2，于1914年首次亮相 。第10张－Republic P-47 Thunderbolt，一款第二次世界大战时的战斗机。最后两张是大展览厅里的飞机群。
* * * * * * * * *
*Hop, step and jump in USA (5) - Las Vegas*
From Seattle we flew to this casino city late last night (25 May) greeted by rows of jackpot machines at the airport. Flying time was about 2 and a half hours. The population of Las Vegas is about 640,000. The 2nd photo shows the main street, nicknamed The Strip.
We stayed at the Flamingo Hotel, first opened in 1946 and located right at the center of The Strip.
This morning attended a Sunday mass at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer. Consecrated in 1993, it is the largest Catholic Church in the city, with some 2,000 seats.
Most of the day was spent at the Premium Outlet North Las Vegas. See the smiling ladies.
Near to Flamingo Hotel is the Paris Las Vegas Hotel built in 1999. It has a half-size replica of the Eiffel Tower as well as replicas of the Paris Opera House, the Arc de Triomphe, etc. Very impressive.
*在美国三级跳（5）- 拉斯维加斯*
我们昨晚（5月25日）从西雅图飞到赌场拉斯维加斯，“飞程”约两小时半。一排一排的老虎机在机场迎接我们。 赌城的人口约640,000。 第二张照片展示的是主要的赌城大道。
我们住在Flamingo酒店，1946年开业，位于赌城大道的中心。
今早听了一台星期日弥撒，圣堂名为救赎主神殿。 它建于1993年，有2,000个位子，是赌城最大的天主教堂。
今天大部分时间都在北拉斯维加斯的Premium Outlet购物中心。 看到眉开眼笑的女士们吗？
酒店介绍－ Paris Las Vegas酒店，离Flamingo酒店不远, 建于1999年。它有几个巴黎成名建筑的复制品，如小一半的埃菲尔铁塔，还有歌剧院，凯旋门等。非常壮观。
From Seattle we flew to this casino city late last night (25 May) greeted by rows of jackpot machines at the airport. Flying time was about 2 and a half hours. The population of Las Vegas is about 640,000. The 2nd photo shows the main street, nicknamed The Strip.
We stayed at the Flamingo Hotel, first opened in 1946 and located right at the center of The Strip.
This morning attended a Sunday mass at the Shrine of the Most Holy Redeemer. Consecrated in 1993, it is the largest Catholic Church in the city, with some 2,000 seats.
Most of the day was spent at the Premium Outlet North Las Vegas. See the smiling ladies.
Near to Flamingo Hotel is the Paris Las Vegas Hotel built in 1999. It has a half-size replica of the Eiffel Tower as well as replicas of the Paris Opera House, the Arc de Triomphe, etc. Very impressive.
*在美国三级跳（5）- 拉斯维加斯*
我们昨晚（5月25日）从西雅图飞到赌场拉斯维加斯，“飞程”约两小时半。一排一排的老虎机在机场迎接我们。 赌城的人口约640,000。 第二张照片展示的是主要的赌城大道。
我们住在Flamingo酒店，1946年开业，位于赌城大道的中心。
今早听了一台星期日弥撒，圣堂名为救赎主神殿。 它建于1993年，有2,000个位子，是赌城最大的天主教堂。
今天大部分时间都在北拉斯维加斯的Premium Outlet购物中心。 看到眉开眼笑的女士们吗？
酒店介绍－ Paris Las Vegas酒店，离Flamingo酒店不远, 建于1999年。它有几个巴黎成名建筑的复制品，如小一半的埃菲尔铁塔，还有歌剧院，凯旋门等。非常壮观。
* * * * * * * * *
*Hop, step and jump in USA (6) - Las Vegas*
Yesterday I posted the exterior view of the Paris Hotel. The interior is as impressive, 1st two photos. The blue skys actually is the painted ceiling of the giant space for shops and casinos.
The next 4 photos show the Venetian Hotel, with architectural details reminiscent of Venice including replicaa of landmarks like St Mark's Square, etc. And canals and gondolas.
Next are front entrances of 2 smaller hotel/casinos: Harrah's and Casino Royale.
Las Vegas is famous for shows. We watched a variety show called "Vegas the Show". Delightful and entertaining. The theatre is in Planet Hollywood, with exterior and ceilings in the 9th and 10th photos.
*在美国三级跳（6）- 拉斯维加斯**
昨天我贴了Paris Las Vegas酒店的外观照片。 它内部设计也令人印象深刻，前两张照片里的蓝天实际上是巨大空间的天花板。
接下来的四张照片展
示的是Venetian酒店，其建筑风格抄袭威尼斯，包括复制威尼斯的地标如圣马克广场等，包括运河和威尼斯特有小舟。
接下来是2个较小的酒店/赌场的正门：Harrah's和Casino Royale。
拉斯维加斯也以演出而闻名。 我们观看了一场名为“Vegas the Show”的综艺节目。 娱乐性很高，绝不冷场。 剧院位于Planet Holywood，第九张和第十张照片展示它的外观和小部份的天花板。
Yesterday I posted the exterior view of the Paris Hotel. The interior is as impressive, 1st two photos. The blue skys actually is the painted ceiling of the giant space for shops and casinos.
The next 4 photos show the Venetian Hotel, with architectural details reminiscent of Venice including replicaa of landmarks like St Mark's Square, etc. And canals and gondolas.
Next are front entrances of 2 smaller hotel/casinos: Harrah's and Casino Royale.
Las Vegas is famous for shows. We watched a variety show called "Vegas the Show". Delightful and entertaining. The theatre is in Planet Hollywood, with exterior and ceilings in the 9th and 10th photos.
*在美国三级跳（6）- 拉斯维加斯**
昨天我贴了Paris Las Vegas酒店的外观照片。 它内部设计也令人印象深刻，前两张照片里的蓝天实际上是巨大空间的天花板。
接下来的四张照片展
示的是Venetian酒店，其建筑风格抄袭威尼斯，包括复制威尼斯的地标如圣马克广场等，包括运河和威尼斯特有小舟。
接下来是2个较小的酒店/赌场的正门：Harrah's和Casino Royale。
拉斯维加斯也以演出而闻名。 我们观看了一场名为“Vegas the Show”的综艺节目。 娱乐性很高，绝不冷场。 剧院位于Planet Holywood，第九张和第十张照片展示它的外观和小部份的天花板。
* * * * * * * * *
*Hop, step and jump in USA (7) - Grand Canyon*
Today we made a bus trip to Grand Canyon (south rim) located in the state of Arizona. The road distance is 450 km and it took some 4+ hours each way.
First 3 photos: made a photostop at Mead Lake and the Memorial Bridge over the Colorado River at Hoover Dam where we passed through. Also a tourist stop where the old Interstate 66 passed through.
The Grand Canyon with the Colorado River at the valley is well known for its size and its intricate and colourful landscape. It is almost 450 km long, 30 km wide and up to 1.6 km deep. Simply immense and overwhelming in size.
We had a 3 hour walk along the south rim, about 5 km in distance. A cloudy day but the sun did come out the last 30 minutes.
The rocks here are sedimentary, with several types of limestones. See the typical stratification in the 4th photo.
Trees, mostly pines and spruce-firs, are stunted due to the high wind. Quite a few are burnt and skinned by lightning, one shown in 11th photo.
Some daredevil but stupid tourists in the 10th photo and an artist at work in the 12th photo.
**在美国三级跳（7） - 大峡谷*
今天我们乘巴士前往位于亚利桑那州的大峡谷（南缘）。 450公里的路程，单程需要四个多小时。
前三张照片：在Mead湖停留，Hoover水坝的纪念大桥，和旧66号州际公路经过的记念站。
大峡谷是以其体积巨大和错综复杂的多彩景观而闻名。 它长约450公里，宽30公里，深达1.6公里。非常壮观。
我们沿南缘步行3小时，距离约5公里。 是个阴天，不过在最后30分钟太阳最终出现。
这里的岩石属以沉积岩，多是石灰岩。 沉积岩的分层状况在第四张照片里明显出现。
谷缘的树木，主要是松树和云杉，由于风大，都长得矮小。 有许多树被闪电灼伤而剥皮，如第十一张照片所示。
第十张照片展示一些冒无谓之险的愚蠢游客，第十二张照片是一个画家在做述描。
Today we made a bus trip to Grand Canyon (south rim) located in the state of Arizona. The road distance is 450 km and it took some 4+ hours each way.
First 3 photos: made a photostop at Mead Lake and the Memorial Bridge over the Colorado River at Hoover Dam where we passed through. Also a tourist stop where the old Interstate 66 passed through.
The Grand Canyon with the Colorado River at the valley is well known for its size and its intricate and colourful landscape. It is almost 450 km long, 30 km wide and up to 1.6 km deep. Simply immense and overwhelming in size.
We had a 3 hour walk along the south rim, about 5 km in distance. A cloudy day but the sun did come out the last 30 minutes.
The rocks here are sedimentary, with several types of limestones. See the typical stratification in the 4th photo.
Trees, mostly pines and spruce-firs, are stunted due to the high wind. Quite a few are burnt and skinned by lightning, one shown in 11th photo.
Some daredevil but stupid tourists in the 10th photo and an artist at work in the 12th photo.
**在美国三级跳（7） - 大峡谷*
今天我们乘巴士前往位于亚利桑那州的大峡谷（南缘）。 450公里的路程，单程需要四个多小时。
前三张照片：在Mead湖停留，Hoover水坝的纪念大桥，和旧66号州际公路经过的记念站。
大峡谷是以其体积巨大和错综复杂的多彩景观而闻名。 它长约450公里，宽30公里，深达1.6公里。非常壮观。
我们沿南缘步行3小时，距离约5公里。 是个阴天，不过在最后30分钟太阳最终出现。
这里的岩石属以沉积岩，多是石灰岩。 沉积岩的分层状况在第四张照片里明显出现。
谷缘的树木，主要是松树和云杉，由于风大，都长得矮小。 有许多树被闪电灼伤而剥皮，如第十一张照片所示。
第十张照片展示一些冒无谓之险的愚蠢游客，第十二张照片是一个画家在做述描。
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