August 21st, 2013 The Waterwalk Interview & 25 Reasons

I'm working on wrapping up the contest. I only have the "25 Reasons Why I love the Waterfront" and the ":30 second commercial". I have been elaborately planning both of those since I knew it was going to be a challenge. I plan to do a collage-type poster for the 25 reasons. One of the reasons why I love the Waterfront is for the creativity it evokes. I'm not gonna lie, this particular time was "staged" but I really have come to the waterfront to write, play music, do homework, etc because it helps me think and be more open-minded. And that is my pink acoustic guitar that I jam out on at campfires and friends houses. :)

I was reminded that I never posted the transcript of the interview I held with my three friends. It was a fun time. I spoke with several of my friends that day and played tour guide. I was helped with the insider information from the conversation I had with one of the residents a while back. I really enjoyed being the knowledgeable one. The looks of excitement and intrigue as I was talking made me think about bringing more friends down. By the time all of the shops open I will probably have brought 40 friends down there! I chose the answers from three of my friends to submit for the contest, but I have an audio transcript of more. So without further ado here it is:

Point Ruston: Now and in the Future

Interviewees: Tyler Pederson, Ciara Swan, Joseph Franco

Q. What did you like most about the Waterwalk?

A. (Tyler) I heard they were going to extend the walkway for a while now. I like that they have extended it as far as they have and you just told me that it’s going to go all of the way to Point Defiance. I like the run the waterfront when I’m training for my 5Ks and marathons. When I run the waterfront I like to lollygag, but I needed more distance. This last stretch looks really well kept and I’m looking forward to running.

A. (Ciara) I actually think it’s really pretty. It looks like this area is going to be really nice when they finished it. We just got done looking at the distance from UW Tacoma, so I might try to run from school to here also. I actually like how quiet it is down here. I’ll probably come back to read a book on a nice sunny day.

A. (Joseph) I didn’t know about this new area at all. We just walked the whole area and it looks like I’m going to have to bring Ciara back for romantic walk. It’s coming upon sunset and the sky is looking great. I agree with Ciara; it’s really quiet.


Q. OK, that’s good. How about the trellis we just posed at and the new attractions around here.

A. (Joseph) Yeah, I really didn’t know these views were down here.

A. (Ciara) I saw quite a few spots that I’m going to have to read at. The trellis has an awesome view of Mt. Rainier, so it’ll be nice to look up from my book and see that.

A. (Tyler) It makes it much better when I’m running to have good scenery. I mean usually I don’t have much to look at when I’m running so I like down here specifically because everything down here is so nice looking.


Q. I just got done telling you about all of the new things coming in; out of everything I listed what do you think you’ll come down here to see?

A. (Joseph) The movie theater! That’s so cool.

A. (Tyler) The 24 hour gym in the Winter. But you have a good point about getting in now because they have “founder’s” rates.

A. (Ciara) It all sounds pretty good. I can come down here and shop, or watch a movie, or enjoy the outdoor stuff.


Q. Do you think you’ll come down here more often now that you know about everything?

A. (All 3) Yes!

A. (Tyler) I’m probably going to make this my new running route when I get off of work.

A. (Ciara) I can’t wait for everything to be done.

A. (Joseph) I was serious. I’m going to take Ciara down here this weekend. And if you win the apartment we’re going to be down here all of the time!

A. (Tyler) Haha, yeah you can count on that.


Q. Speaking of that, if you were to live down here how do you think it would change your everyday life?

A. (Tyler) It’s going to be hard to really come up with my own answer because you’ve been talking about this for a few weeks now. What you said makes sense. But if I lived down here I would probably run even more. I wouldn’t have an excuse not to go out.

A. (Joseph) I like what you said and chilling on the back porch reading the newspaper in the morning. I guess that kind of routine would give me more perspective on my day so I could be happier every day.

A. (Ciara) I think I would be more physically active and mentally grounded. Just the view would keep me in a calm place.

August 19, 2013 A Little bit of History

My brother was leaving town tonight on a Greyhound, so I took him all around the area. We drove the 5 mile drive. We took a few photos in the park: Owen Beach and the Mountaineer Tree (the tree is over 450 years old!) for his dad and my step-dad, Don. Don came to Washington almost 20 years ago from New Jersey. He really loved the Point Defiance area. I'm not sure that the park has changed all that much, but I know the Waterfront has! The waterfront hadn't changed much until this whole new area came in. When I think about the history of Tacoma in general I can think of all of the major and subtle changes. Downtown and Hilltop was a huge crime area just 20 years ago. Safe Streets, a nonprofit, was largely responsible for the clean-up in the area. As for the waterfront area, I'm sad to see the tunnel is closed off. I think it would have been cool if we could at least walk through the area.

Chris and I stopped down at the waterwalk. He was so impressed with the views and really liked all of the attractions. I wish he would have seen the area before so he would understand what a huge undertaking it is to add all of these magnificent things. When he comes to visit next year he is going to be so impressed with the retail shops and additions.

August 6th, 2013 A Stroll at the Waterwalk...

I had a great time strolling the new Waterwalk in Point Ruston this evening. I'm entering the Point Ruston Puget Sound Dream Contest and get to take rad photos as part of the contest. I have to admit before this contest I had taken quite a few photos from this new area already. Though this photoshoot was very specific and I was trying to be creative for the very best pictures. I've been waiting for Point Ruston for some time now. In 2007 I lived in Ruston near Pt. Defiance Park and loved it. I've been in love with the Tacoma Waterfront ever since. I still remember my first time going to Waterfront on my own in 1998. I remember driving through the tunnel when I first got my very first car- a 74 Periwinkle Purple AMC Javelin. The engine roared through the tunnel and a loud honk followed for safety. Then cruising down the waterfront at the very slowest speed I could drive until a car crept up. I love Waterfront cruising. My friends and I would stop at the Marine Park to throw a Frisbee or a football around or just lie on the ground and take in the scenery. Over the years, I've seen the waterfront evolve and grow. Point Ruston is the best thing to happen to our waterfront. With the great additions through housing and retail space the waterfront will be the premier stopping spot very soon.