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Kessi World

Mindful travel around the Pacific Northwest.

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Parks

Point Defiance Park — the best day in Tacoma wilderness

January 4, 2023 by Matthew

Beautiful pink blooms of a rhododendron are pushing out getting ready to splash on the scene. In the background are various trees in Point Defiance Park in Tacoma.

My mom and her siblings grew up on the edge of a vast green space, where old-growth timber hugged primitive deer trails, and a zoo served up elephants and bears in “old school” cages of concrete and iron. It was wilderness back then when Tacoma’s North End was largely undeveloped. Their log cabin overlooked the flowing lawns of Point Defiance Park and was just high enough in … [Read more...] about Point Defiance Park — the best day in Tacoma wilderness

West Hylebos Wetlands Park — hidden treasure of suburban Seattle

January 13, 2021 by Matthew

The boardwalk at West Hylebos Wetlands glistens in the falling rain, surrounded by young cedar trees and brush that is dormant for Winter.

Every now and then I stumble upon a hidden gem in the Seattle area that rocks my nature-loving world. It isn't always the physical attributes as much as the spirit, or feeling I get while amidst wise old trees and densely thick ground covers that usually hold an impassioned version of the color green. My connection, or internal "pop" is what endears me to a particular place … [Read more...] about West Hylebos Wetlands Park — hidden treasure of suburban Seattle

The 10 Best Seattle Parks for Social Distancing

October 7, 2020 by Matthew

“The popular parks in Seattle are frequented for very good reasons, indeed — they’re resplendent. However, with a little imagination and two ounces of additional effort, you can be enjoying wide-open parks, socially distanced, with the space needed to frolic in mind, heart, and body.”Matthew Kessi - Kessi World Check out my recent collaboration with Just Your Suitcase … [Read more...] about The 10 Best Seattle Parks for Social Distancing

The Art of Seattle CHOP (Capitol Hill Occupied Protest) — a photo gallery

July 1, 2020 by Matthew

A row of concrete traffic barricades are covered in plywood and painted with a variety of messages. This is in the Black Lives Matter protest area of Capitol Hill in Seattle.

For the purposes of this article, I will refer to the area as CHOP, which existed for a few weeks in June, 2020. This area was initially known as CHAZ for Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone but eventually transitioned to CHOP. Capitol Hill is my home. The rolling hills of the Capitol Hill neighborhood in Seattle remain near and dear to my heart.  Greenery abounds in … [Read more...] about The Art of Seattle CHOP (Capitol Hill Occupied Protest) — a photo gallery

The best things to do in West Seattle, including Alki Beach

May 10, 2020 by Matthew

Beautiful spring sunset from Alki Beach in West Seattle. The light waves wash up onto a rocky beach while the pier juts out into the water. The Olympic Mountains in the distance create a backdrop for the peach, yellow and blue colors of the sky with a bright yellow ball of sun getting ready to set.

Go West! The formal start of Seattle traces roots back to a group of settlers from New York who arrived on Alki Beach, at the point of West Seattle, in 1851. It's believed the eager pioneers chose to name the point of land jutting into Puget Sound "New York", and one of the Duwamish Indians added "Alki" to the end, which was a Chinook Indian term for "by and by." The name … [Read more...] about The best things to do in West Seattle, including Alki Beach

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I would like to acknowledge that much of my inspiration comes from living on the traditional land of the first people of Seattle, the Duwamish People past and present and honor with gratitude the land itself and the Duwamish Tribe.

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