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    Troll Hunting in Issaquah: Jakob Two Trees & the Rainier Trail

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    It was a hot one this last weekend, so obviously time for a hike and to check another troll off the list. Troll number four is Jakob Two Trees, one of six Thomas Dambo creations scattered across the Pacific Northwest. Check out my previous posts to learn more about the PNW trolls!

    Jakob Two Trees – Issaquah – Rainier Trail

    Jakob Two Trees is a quick 0.3 mile walk from the Issaquah community center parking lot. Just saunter down the nicely paved walkway past the local dog park and you’ll be there in no time. Just to the right of the trail you’ll find Jakob hanging out between the trees. He’s got a fun birdhouse-lined necklace and a relaxed repose with his arms casually draped around some trees. As you look up into his face, it really gives the vibe that you caught him taking a breather before he continues hiking the Rainier Trail up to Tiger Mountain. Or maybe I’m just projecting, because that’s what we did next!

    Group photo with Jakob Two Trees
    Jakob Two Trees in B&W
    The size of Jakob Two Trees vs Gergina
    Where to find Jakob Two Trees
    The plaque next to Jakob Two Trees

    Rainier Trail to Park Pointe

    If you continue along the Rainier Trail it will take you to a wonderful little section called Park Pointe. Well-maintained trails wind up and down the forested hillside in a way that feels more like a nature walk than a workout. If you’re feeling more adventurous, the trails interconnect and can take you to far-flung destinations like Poo Poo Point (a popular paragliding launch site with views of the Issaquah Valley) or Round Lake. We opted to just circumnavigate the Park Pointe loop today, which clocked in at a little under 3 miles on my watch. There is a “viewpoint” in the center of the trail but its currently closed for restoration. The canopy provides good shade cover, and there are enough little dips and rises to keep things interesting without wrecking your legs before lunch which is where we’re headed next!

    Trail photo
    Bus depot next to the Rainier Trail
    B&W moss in the sun
    A map of the park pointe trail
    Apple watch heat map of the day hike.
    On the trail

    Umi Cafe

    After nodding to Jakob on our return trip we continued heading North along the Rainier Trail past the community center to a wonderful little spot called Umi Cafe. All the food was delicious, especially the steamed buns and boba, but even more delightful was the outdoor seating area. Out front you’ll find a large lily pad covered pond with a waterfall cascading into it, ringed by a mix of flowering plants and shade trees. We sat outside under an umbrella cover table just enjoying the combination of good food, each others company, and the sound of the water. On a hot day after a few miles of trail, it was basically perfect. Umi Cafe is going on the permanent list. When we come back to take on the longer Tiger Mountain trails, lunch here is already penciled in.

    The entrance to Umi Cafe
    The pond at Umi Cafe
    Some tasty buns at Umi Cafe
    Continue reading →: Troll Hunting in Issaquah: Jakob Two Trees & the Rainier Trail

  • Trolling Around Portland: A Visit to Ole Bolle

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    We ended up in Portland last weekend, and while there, we checked troll number three of six off our list! These massive recycled-wood sculptures by artist Thomas Dambo are scattered across the PNW, and Ole Bolle was our latest target.

    Ole Bolle – Portland – Nordic Northwest

    Ole Bolle is located on the grounds of Nordic Northwest, a Scandinavian cultural center and nonprofit. Their main building, the Nordia house, is a modern flat-topped grass-roofed building that houses a brunch restaurant and hosts a variety of cultural events throughout the year. We’d eaten earlier, so a quick coffee was all that was needed to energize.
    The walk is a pleasant, quarter-mile jaunt through a wooded area. Unlike some of the more passive trolls we’ve visited, Ole Bolle is caught in the middle of his own investigation! He’s hunched over a small red wooden cabin, peering inside as if looking for a snack. Like the previous trolls, Ole has a ubiquitous gaze, if you can see his eyes he’s watching you!
    Overall, this was a pretty quick pit stop. If I was in the Portland area more often, I would have tied this in with one of the Nordic Northwest’s events or workshops. That’s three trolls down and three to go!

    Ole Bolle troll sculpture hunched over a small red wooden cabin at Nordic Northwest, Portland
    Close-up of Ole Bolle's face peering into the red cabin
    Ole Bolle troll sculpture viewed from the side among the trees
    Detail of Ole Bolle's hands gripping the red cabin
    Ole Bolle troll sculpture hunched over a small red wooden cabin at Nordic Northwest, Portland
    Ole Bolle sculpture from a distance showing the surrounding wooded area
    Continue reading →: Trolling Around Portland: A Visit to Ole Bolle
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    Seattle Asian Art Museum and Volunteer Park Adventure

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    Gergina & I took the day off the Wednesday before last for my birthday. We spent the morning at the Seattle Asian Art Museum (SAAM) and then strolled around Volunteer Park and the U-District.

    Seattle Asian Art Museum

    It was my first time at the SAAM. It’s a beautiful building and the site of the original Seattle Art Museum (SAM) before it moved down to the current downtown location.
    There are primarily two kinds of museum goers on a Wednesday afternoon. Retirees & schoolchildren. The retirees are your normal quiet observers, which are then offset by the occasional stream of cacophony that is the most recent school group hurtling through the displays. It’s a fun time, do recommend if you find yourself with a free Wednesday and want to do some people watching.
    Anywho, here are some pictures from the museum.

    Squirrel Box

    Volunteer Park

    After the museum we hiked up the water tower observation deck, and I came to the realization that I need to spend some more time on a stair stepper. Really reevaluating the thought that I’m fit enough to do the Space Needle’s Base to Space climb. Some great views, though some of the branches could stand to be cut back a bit. There are also an array of displays going into the history of the Olmsted parks projects of yesteryear. If things had turned out differently Seattle could have had a park rivaling Central Park in South Lake union! Sidenote, the Seattle Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) has a great diorama of what the park could have looked like on the top floor of the museum.
    Finally, we stopped in at the Volunteer Park Conservatory and looked at some plants. They have air plants bigger than Gergina’s head! It’s a cute little greenhouse divided into tropical, local, and desert plants. It’s worth checking out while in the area!

    Crow Business
    The donut
    Tiny purple and white orchids
    Tiny purple & white orchids
    Big Airplants

    University District

    Had lunch and some more walking around the U-District. Not to be hyperbolic, but I had the best cortado at Ancient Gate Coffee. It is the new cortado that I will judge all other cortados by. No coffee photos, because we got there at 4:58 and they were closing at 5. That’s how good the barista was.
    All in all, it was a great midweek birthday! Some culture, bunch of stairs and walking, and a new favorite coffee place!

    Continue reading →: Seattle Asian Art Museum and Volunteer Park Adventure

  • Troll Hunting in the Pacific Northwest

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    The air was sharp and salty, the sky a flat winter gray, and the Sound stretched out cold and wide beside us.
    Spent Monday afternoon troll hunting! Did you know there are 6 wooden trolls tucked around the Pacific Northwest courtesy of Thomas Dambo and the Scan Design Foundation? We checked 2 trolls off the list today, Bruun Idun & Oscar the Bird King.

    Bruun Idun – West Seattle – Lincoln Park

    Our first stop was Lincoln Park in West Seattle. This was our first time visiting Lincoln Park, and the location is gorgeous. I really need to spend more time exploring West Seattle because I was sleeping on this location and I’m sure there are many more.
    We parked in the south lot and walked a little over half a mile along the waterfront path to find Bruun. She has an incredible view of the sound. While we didn’t spot any orcas, we did see harbor seals bobbing in the chilly water, along with a bevy of crows and seagulls getting up to their bird business.

    Lincoln Park Panorama​
    Lincoln Park Panorama
    Harbor Seal!
    Harbor Seal!

    Oscar the Bird King – Vashon Island – Point Robinson Park

    Next, we took a quick ferry to Vashon Island and drove to Point Robinson Park to visit our second troll, Oscar the Bird King. After a short walk from the parking lot, you’ll find him holding court in a small grove, encircled by dozens of birdhouses. Compared to Bruun’s open waterfront setting, Oscar’s spot feels more like a woodland diorama.
    While we were there, we also stopped by the Point Robinson Lighthouse. The trail was easy but muddy enough to keep us paying attention. Once down to the beach you can see the Lighthouse and an expanse of rocky shore. It was windy and chilly, so we didn’t spend too much time exploring. Apparently you can rent the lighthouse keeper’s quarters, which sounds like the perfect place to storm-watch and scan for orcas.
    Two down, four to go. Not a bad way to spend a Monday!

    Gergina on the ferry
    "Close-up of Oscar the Bird King's face"
    Continue reading →: Troll Hunting in the Pacific Northwest

  • Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm 2025 edition

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    Made the yearly trek out to Snohomish to visit Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin farm last week. Always a fun time doing the corn maze at dusk. Get a little daylight to start, then it turns spooky as the corn rises up overhead.

    Continue reading →: Bob’s Corn & Pumpkin Farm 2025 edition

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I’m Erik

Artsy on the weekends. Accountant on the weekdays

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