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Kessi World

Mindful travel around the Pacific Northwest.

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Salish Sea

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

Where to begin a journey learning about the Coast Salish People — museums & art around Seattle

September 24, 2021 by Matthew

A traditional canoe used by Coast Salish People, carved from cedar and painted with ceremonial colors. In this case the bow is yellow with orange and black markings.

About 12,000 years ago, the last great glacier smothering Western Washington crawled through the path of least resistance, leaving behind the rolling islands and deep waters comprising the Salish Sea. Since then, people have lived in this part of the world, basking in the beauty and bounty of the land. Over time, tribal structures developed and the Coast Salish People … [Read more...] about Where to begin a journey learning about the Coast Salish People — museums & art around Seattle

My favorite places in Seattle through the lens of the Major Arcana of tarot

September 1, 2021 by Matthew

The Seattle waterfront seen through a metal opening in a Washington State Ferry. The water reflects the pinkish glow of the sunset sky.

The Salish Sea flows in and out of the waters around Seattle twice every day, infusing life in a cycle that goes back to time immemorial. I've lived here now for ten years and the Emerald City is secure within my being. I've written quite a number of articles on the area -- mostly focusing on the colors and textures of the many green spaces -- but never in a manner that … [Read more...] about My favorite places in Seattle through the lens of the Major Arcana of tarot

23 interesting things to do in Port Townsend, Washington

August 18, 2021 by Matthew

An ornate victorian era building inspires thinking about bygone eras of the seaport town of Port Townsend, Washington. There are so many things to do here, like glance up at this blue and white painted building.

A historic harbor exists in a place where the tidal sways of the Salish Sea wash daily to fold into the powerful Pacific Ocean. They meet along the Strait of Juan de Fuca -- separating the United States and Canada by 12 miles. Here, it seems that all the elements unite to create a balanced ecosystem, complete with proud cedar and fir trees leading to the pebbly shores. Just … [Read more...] about 23 interesting things to do in Port Townsend, Washington

Celebration and remembering this 4th of July

July 4, 2021 by Matthew

The watershed 1855 Point Elliott Treaty, signed near present day Mukilteo, Washington, drastically reduced Salish tribal lands. It was negotiated using about 300 Chinook Jargon words — which made nuances unclear to many of the signatories, who mostly spoke versions of Lushootseed.  The Snohomish, Skykomish, Snoqualmie, and other ally tribes were combined into the area … [Read more...] about Celebration and remembering this 4th of July

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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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