Baxter's adventure in Tacoma (part 2)

 Hello Blog readers, as you might remember my plan to look for free public art by Dale Chihuly was not as fruitful as planner.

That's ok, this bear can readjust.  First, take  a brain break, time to play some pinball.  That ought to take my mind off of the failed exploration.

Ajdin would like this machine.

I decided to continue looking at free art and went to the Mcmenamins Elks Lodge in Tacoma.  McMenamins is know for lots of art to look at in their restaurants.

Ooh, a scavenger hunt.  This is right up my alley.

Nope, this isn't it.  Comfy chairs in the lobby :)

Nope, no little green men but I like the animals in the upper left corner. 

Argg, someone save me. 

Maybe I should go outside to explore. 

Aha! Found it. Time to celebrate with a beer. 

Wait, where the pictures? Well, you know....humans do I need to say more?

What a nice day, time to take a walk back to the bus station and head back to the cottage.

If you ever get a chance to vistit Tacoma you have to go. It's a beautiful city. 

This fox is hungry.  Perhaps the humans will stop at Burger Ranch for dinner?  According to this sign they have the best fish (makes sense, right???)

No Burger Ranch but we did get some great Vietnamese food at a local spot in town.  Plus saw some cool glass (not Chihuly) art lit up at night. 

Thanks Tacoma for a great weekend.  

Little Fox, Party Animal.

 Hiya Gang,
Little Fox here hanging out the McMenamins Elk's Temple in Tacoma. 

I'm hanging out at the Elk's Temple waiting for the concert doors to open. Tonight, I am seeing a Tom Petty/Johnny Cash cover band called "Petty-Cash".

While I'm waiting I think I might have myself a beer. 

Perhaps a little rest before the show starts. 

Down in front, it's hard for this little fox to see the band. 

Aw, this is better. What a fun concert.

Bonus points if you can name the song in the comments. 

A proper adventure #3. Little Fox revisits the McMenamins Tacoma Elks Club

Back in 2018 I had a chance to explore the uncompleted Mcmenamins Elks Temple in Tacoma, Washington (yep, another Grit City adventure).

Check out my blog from that trip for the before pictures.

Click here!

Kudos to team Mcmenamins.  The Elks Temple was decorated by street artists when it was abandoned for a number of years.  In the remodel team Mcmenamins located some of the street artists who tagged the original building and had them do some art in the remodeled building.   This hallway is cool.

They have decorated the lobby.  You can see this post is outdated by the pumpkin. 

Tacoma might by known as the Grit City because of it's reputation as a bustling seaport along the west  coast.   Perhaps it's know as the Grit City because of the many paper mills that used to be in the city.   

They have done a great job remodeling.

They have  tiki bar with a fountain inside. This fox needs a beer.

Cool lighting.  Time for another drink.

Besides the graffiti art they have paid homage to the Native American artists of the region. 

The ballroom is awesome.  They have a bar, a stage, and some cool lights.

As we know stuffies don't have a lot of patience but I am waiting for the show to start. 

More of the graffiti hallway.

I can't figure out why I am having a hard time standing. 

This fox is out for the count.    

When is my uber coming?

McMenamins Tacoma Elk's Club Tripster Party 2018

This line is long....I wonder what they (my roommates) are thinking.  They have wrist bands (I don't) and everyone in line is gitty with excitement.  All I can see if this vacant lot and wonder what is going on.

*Cue dramatic music, the line is moving* Hmm, this is going to be interesting. My roommates showed their wristbands to the doorman and he let us into a construction zone.  Huh.

My roommates informed me it was the Tacoma Elks lodge.  Built between 1915 and 1916 it is a beaux arts style building that the city of Tacoma had to sue the Elks to sell to them because it was in disrepair.  The city won the lawsuit, bought the building from the Elks,  then sold the building to a developer in Portland.  This building was built into the hillside and offers some amazing views of the waterways and Mt. Rainier. 

Right now I am at the top of the building, the 6th floor balcony looking down at the 6th floor. Man, I wish I had a hardhat. 

6th floor proper:  I was never one to follow rules. 

Looking up, the millwork and molding is in pretty good shape.  

Lots of areas with these makeshift fences.  Apparently, while the building was vacant and falling apart local graffiti artists went inside to practice their craft. 

More graffiti.  There is supposed to be a band playing on this stage soon. 

Quite a turnout.

So, the party I attended was called the Cosmic Tripster party. As a reward for visiting all of these Mcmenmains restaurants in the Northwest you got to go to the tripster party.  It was quite a party as you can see. 

 They had free wine, beer, mixed drinks, games, music, and lunch.  Being that this building wasn't quite ready for full food service they brought in food carts.  I decided to get the burger but they had a couple different choices. 

 Lots of places to play hide and seek. 

 All the construction equipment was roped off and most of the windows were boarded up.  I wonder if they need a stuffie supervisor up here? 

It was an exciting day - the weather was great, a behind the scenes party and lots of good food and drink.  When is the next party? 

A spring day with a twist. Part 1.

What a beautiful day.   No, I am not in Sienna Italy (although that would be cool) but I am in an equally cool place, Tacoma, Washington!

This is the old city hall bell tower.  If you look hard you can see a bald eagle hanging out on top.  Back in the day this was hub of activity in Tacoma.  Now, there are lots of cool bars, restaurants, and shops in the area. 

A nice springtime tree. Is this a cherry tree? 

 A nice park along the waterway. 

Mt. Rainier in the background. 

Well, that was a nice trip to Tacoma.  A little odd for my roommates to take me up here for a quick visit. My roommates wanted to take me one more place.  There was a big line of people already in line and I have to admit the view reminds me of one of Sandy's back alley deals. 

What have they gotten me into?????