Walking Seattle Neighborhoods: Alki Neighborhood of West Seattle

There was a negative low tide today and I got to Alki Beach Park when the tide was going out.

I took pictures of a few landmarks I had missed yesterday including the Alki Bathhouse

and a 1/18th size replica of the Statue of Liberty. The Boy Scouts of America gave the original replica to the city in 1952; it was recast in 2004 and the new pedestal and the plaza (Statue of Liberty Plaza) were dedicated in 2008.

By the time I reached Constellation Park Marine Reserve, the tide was probably at its lowest and I couldn't resist being one of the people of all ages who were joining a naturalist on the beach. I spotted jellyfish, starfish, moon snail egg casings and even a crab.

Embedded in the sidewalk on the water side of Beach Drive are medallions which create The Avenue of the Stars.

Tearing myself away from the tide pools, I returned to Beach Drive SW and found myself at the 63rd Pump Station where I came across a sculpture which could not compare to the sea life I had just observed.

Proceeding on to Cormorant Cove Park, I had a good view of the stilts supporting the Harbor West Condos.

Next I passed Andover Place Public Shoreline Access

before arriving at Weather Watch Park where a monument offers educational information about weather words and the history of the area and the park.

Across Beach Drive, I spotted La Rusica Restaurant.

I zigged and zagged my way back to Alki Avenue, walking along streets, some flat and some quite hilly (I noted a few staircases). Homes near the tops of the hills had views and looked expensive. Homes on the flats appeared more modest and, once I was a block away from the water, I felt I could have been in many Seattle neighborhoods. Small cottages were being replaced by multiplexes but there were still comfortable looking older homes.

Along the way, I passed the Homestead

and the Log House Museum (open Thursday to Sunday from 12-4). A short history, posted on the porch, states that the original settlers wanted to make this area a big city and named it New York. The word Alki (meaning "by and by") was added when they realized that would take a long time. When the settlers moved to what is now downtown Seattle, this area became a vacation spot and was known as the Coney Island of the West.