Washington Archives - Our Changing Life

Visiting the Space Needle: The Story That Lifted Seattle Skyward

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 02 Jan 2026 12:03:02 +0000

Visiting the Space Needle is like stepping into Seattle’s story. Standing at its base, we got a sense that this was never meant to be just a tower. It was meant to be a promise. Long before elevators and observation decks, the idea lived as a sketch of optimism. It came at a time when cities wanted to show the future rather than fear it.

Seattle in the late 1950s was restless in a good way. Industry was growing, confidence was rising, and there was a shared belief that progress could be both beautiful and practical.

When Seattle First Heard the Pitch

The proposal landed in a city already buzzing with ambition, but it was the early design concepts that truly stirred conversation. At a time when Americans were captivated by space travel and the mystery of flying saucers, the Space Needle’s shape felt familiar in an unexpected way. Its saucer-like top echoed the popular imagination of UFOs, space stations, and a future that seemed within reach.

This was the height of the Space Age, when magazines were filled with illustrations of orbital cities and sleek aircraft from tomorrow. The Needle’s designers leaned into that optimism, creating a form that suggested motion, curiosity, and lift. It looked less like a traditional tower and more like something that might have just touched down.

Public reaction followed those cultural currents. Some residents questioned whether such a futuristic shape fit the character of Seattle. Others embraced it as a bold declaration that the city was thinking beyond the horizon. The debate itself revealed something important. Seattle was ready to imagine itself as part of the future being discussed on a national scale.

Breaking Ground With Fingers Crossed

Construction began with equal parts confidence and concern. Engineers faced unfamiliar challenges, especially regarding stability and balance. The goal was clear. Build something daring, and build it safely.

There was genuine hope that the project could remain accident-free, a rare aspiration for such an ambitious structure. Every poured foundation and rising column carried not just steel and concrete, but the trust of a city watching closely. If completed in time, this would be the crowning jewel of the 1962 Seattle World’s Fair.

Racing the Calendar and the Clouds

As the structure climbed higher, the pressure mounted. Deadlines loomed, and the World’s Fair clock ticked loudly. Engineers refined solutions on the fly, solving problems that only appeared once the tower reached new heights.

From afar, residents could watch progress day by day. The skyline slowly changed, and with it, public perception shifted from skepticism to pride. The tower no longer felt like a gamble. It felt inevitable.

A Fair, a Future, and a Global Gaze

By 1962, the Space Needle stood ready as the World’s Fair opened its gates. It was no longer an experiment but a finished statement. Rather than overpowering the fairgrounds, it gave them a sense of direction. Visitors arriving from across the country and around the world quickly understood that this tower was meant to be experienced, not merely observed from afar.

Fairgoers lined up eagerly, many seeing such height and design for the first time. The elevators, the views, and the sensation of floating above the city became part of the fair’s shared memory. People talked about the Needle as much as the exhibits themselves, treating it as both attraction and landmark.

What surprised many planners was how naturally visitors accepted the structure. Instead of feeling futuristic, cold, or distant, it felt welcoming and optimistic. The Space Needle became a place where strangers lingered together. Many quietly absorbed the idea that the future could be hopeful and human at the same time.

By the fair’s close, the question was no longer whether the Space Needle belonged. The visitors had answered that for the city.

Views From Visiting the Space Needle

From above, Seattle unfolds like a living map. Skyscrapers rise in measured clusters, their glass catching light that shifts with the clouds. Beyond them, open stretches of water carve calm paths through the city. It reminded us how deeply Seattle is shaped by its relationship with the sea.

What I noticed most was how naturally the landmarks revealed themselves. Neighborhoods, green spaces, and familiar gathering places appeared without announcement. These days, visiting the Space Needle feels less like observing a city and more like being introduced to it, one thoughtful layer at a time.

Planning a Reflective Visit

Visiting the Space Needle is easy to fold into a Seattle itinerary. Hours typically run from late morning into the evening, with extended hours during peak seasons. Admission varies by experience, with observation deck access as the core offering and optional enhancements available.

We recommend an unhurried visit that provides time to absorb both the structure and the story it tells. Just as the idea once rose slowly in the public imagination, the experience is best savored at a leisurely pace, allowing that original spark of optimism to linger.

The post Visiting the Space Needle: The Story That Lifted Seattle Skyward appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Jakob Two Trees: Our Thomas Dambo Troll Adventure Continues

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 11:30:00 +0000

We first learned about the creative world of reclaimed art giants while reading stories about Thomas Dambo. He has a mission to turn found materials into colossal woodland characters. His idea of transforming forgotten wood into gentle giants, like Jakob Two Trees, captured our imaginations right away. We felt drawn to the way his work blends nature, storytelling, and childhood wonder into something that feels both timeless and fresh. We knew that we wanted to be part of a real-life Thomas Dambo troll adventure.

Each troll feels like it stepped straight out of a hidden folktale that was waiting for someone to discover it. These wooden guardians spark the kind of excitement that makes you slow down, look closely, and reconnect with your childhood curiosity. They feel like living storytellers, even though they never say a word. With every photograph and travel tale we found online, our desire to meet more trolls in person grew like roots twisting deeper into mossy earth.

It is rare to encounter art that makes you feel both small and connected at the same time. These trolls have been built not only for the eyes but also for the heart, like protectors of imagination, intentionally placed for anyone willing to search. Once we experienced one, we knew we would not stop with a single sighting. Troll hunting felt like a quest worth pursuing as a couple who love the surprise of road trips and unexpected moments.

Our First Sight of a Giant in the Mountains

Our journey into the world of outdoor trolls began in Breckenridge, Colorado. The mountain air felt crisp and full of discovery. We made our way through the forest trail that wound past tall trees and patches of pine needles. The sound of our footsteps softened under a cushion of packed earth and tiny flecks of bark. It felt like the forest already knew we were coming. We had seen photographs, but we were not prepared for the scale and charm of seeing a troll face to face.

When we reached his location, we stopped and stared, eyes wide and smiles eager. There he was, large enough to tower over even the tallest grown adult, yet gentle in presence. His wooden skin looked textured with grooves, knots, and soft corners that told the story of where each board once lived before being shaped into art. Standing close made us feel like we were visiting an old friend who had been patiently waiting for company.

That moment was enough to plant a new travel goal in our hearts. We knew right then that one troll would never be enough. We wanted to see more faces, shapes, textures, and personalities. Each troll represents a different tale and a different environment, and we wanted to feel that sense of discovery again. Breckenridge did not close a chapter. Instead, it opened a new one that we could not wait to continue writing with each future sighting.

Discovering Jakob Two Trees

The excitement returned when we set off to meet our second troll, Jakob Two Trees, while visiting our son near Seattle. We felt that familiar thrill of chasing something hidden yet meant to be found. The path that led us toward him was paved, and we passed countless others returning from their own quest. It reminded us that the trail itself is part of the experience, not just a means to reach the destination. Every step felt like we were adventurers walking deeper into a storybook landscape.

When Jakob Two Trees came into view, his massive form looked like a guardian resting between the natural world and the human realm. His arms stretched with relaxed purpose, and his body felt ancient even though he had been created from recently gathered materials. The texture of his skin formed a pattern of wooden pieces shaped like puzzle fragments held together by imagination. He looked peaceful, wise, and curious all at once.

We stood there admiring how his presence blended naturally into the woods as if he had chosen that very spot himself. His placement felt meaningful, as if he were watching over the trees that inspired his name. Seeing Jakob Two Trees made us realize that no two trolls could ever feel the same. Each one creates its own emotional fingerprint, and this discovery strengthened our desire to keep searching whenever the opportunity arises.

Part of the Way of the Bird King

We soon learned that Jakob Two Trees is one of six trolls that form a series known as the Way of the Bird King. This special collection tells a story through characters set in different settings, each adding pieces to an artistic universe spanning multiple locations. Knowing that Jakob was not alone, but part of a larger story, made the experience feel even more magical and connected.

The craftsmanship in the Way of the Bird King series celebrates materials that might otherwise have been discarded. These trolls illustrate how forgotten objects can regain meaning. The textures used in Jakob Two Trees invited us to imagine the previous life of every plank and scrap. Some pieces looked like they might have once been a fence, a crate, or a weathered deck. Now they are part of a figure that inspires smiles from curious travelers like us.

Seeing Jakob made us imagine what the other five trolls might look like. Would they stand, sit, hide, or peek? Would their expressions carry curiosity, bravery, or playful joy? The idea that more of them existed somewhere out there sparked a sense of future adventure. The Way of the Bird King is not just a series. It is an invitation written not in ink but in wood.

A Growing Collection of Travel Magic

Standing beside Jakob Two Trees, we knew our journey had expanded beyond a single outing. This was our second troll, and it reminded us of the joy in pursuing experiences that feel both whimsical and memorable. We started as curious travelers in Breckenridge, and now we are travelers with a growing collection of wooden guardians tucked into our memories.

We are not sure where the next troll will be or when we will find it. What we do know is that we will keep our eyes open for more sightings whenever our travels lead us toward forests, parks, waterfronts, or hidden trails. Troll hunting has become part of our travel identity, and we love it. We hope others will feel inspired to search, explore, and take their time discovering art that requires a little effort.

Before you leave, we would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and tell us where you have seen the Dambo trolls. We look forward to adding your inspirations to our future wish list.

The post Jakob Two Trees: Our Thomas Dambo Troll Adventure Continues appeared first on Our Changing Life.

4 Reasons To See Spokane Falls

Jeff & Crystal — Fri, 18 Mar 2022 09:00:09 +0000

The second day of our Epic Road Trip had finished with a stay in Billings, Montana. We woke on day 3, refreshed and ready to continue our push to the coast. While we wish to explore more sections of Montana, we would have to put that idea on the backburner for now. Today’s schedule included a little over 9 hours of drive time with only one attraction stop in sight. Being early risers, we were on the road with the rising sun. We made great time with only a lunch break and a short stop in Wallace, Idaho. After stretching our legs with a walk around this mining town, we shot down the highway on our way to our first visit to Washington.

1) Riverfront Park

By the time we crossed over the state line, we were already feeling like we were in the city. I-90 runs along the south side of the Spokane River and we would be teased with distant views of the rolling waters. We exited the interstate and headed into the heart of the city. Just a few blocks in, we came to Riverfront Park. This home of the 1974 World’s Fair is a huge playground for visitors of all ages. The Rotary Fountain welcomed us into the green space that surrounds Spokane Falls. As we strolled the various pathways, we discovered a variety of sculptures and even a carousel. No wonder so many people were finding reasons to see Spokane Falls.

2) Salmon Runs

For centuries, Native Indians would gather at the falls in June. This would mark the annual migration of Chinook salmon. Standing on platforms assembled over the falls, they would spear the fish that could run as big as 80 lbs. The harvest involved a variety of tribes, who worked together in harmony. Each season a Salmon Chief was chosen, who would oversee the harvest and distribution of the catch. While the men were busy with the harvest, the women would have the vital task of preserving the catch. All of this would cease with the construction of dams downstream. It was only a hint of days gone by that allowed us to imagine these giant creatures navigating the path upstream.

3) The History of Spokane Falls

The Native Indians would enjoy the use of this area well into the late 1800s. In 1873, the first settlement was created near Spokane Falls. The fertile lands of eastern Washington attracted settlers and the village grew. The life giving waters were the heart of the new city. Lumber became an important product and a sawmill built along the falls was the central feature to its success. A devastating fire struck the burgeoning town in 1889. Like a phoenix, the city rose from the ashes, as the structures were replaced with brick buildings. In 1908, the first dams were built along the Spokane River, which signaled the end of the Salmon Run here.

4) Changing Views

Like so many American cities, urban sprawl created a vacuum in the inner city, during the early 1970s. By this point, the area around Spokane Falls was an unsightly assemblage of warehouses, parking lots, and railroad crossings. It would be the 1974 World’s fair that opened the opportunity to revitalize this section of the downtown. Agreements were made with the railroads, and soon the land was razed for new development. The positives provided by the revitalization were short-term gains, and interest waned in the area during the 1980s. A renewed approach was begun in the late 1990s, and continues today. It includes an open-air arena that hosts various events throughout the year.

More Reasons to See Spokane Falls

With our evening lodging just an hour down the road, we had time to explore Riverfront Park and the falls. The more we wandered, we realized there are lots of reasons to see Spokane Falls. A nearby SkyRide provides aerial views of the waterworks. We chose to stay grounded, as we made our way upstream. Beyond the falls, we came upon the portion that has still water. While it appears unmoving, we could see a powerful current below the surface. All around us were landscaped parks that beckoned visitors to slow down and enjoy the views. This is certainly a place we would love to visit again.

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