Visiting the Quad

Visiting the Quad, Jesse.Tam.  The annual site at the University of Washington quad is expected to draw another year of large crowds for the annual bloom of the Cherry blossoms.  The cooler temperature delayed the blooming to occur later in the year. Plan to make a visit during the peak bloom which will last from 16 to 21 days.

This years blooms started on March 19th and will continue depending on the weather.  The iconic Cherry trees are in good health and are 80 years old.  Weekend is an extremely busy and difficult to park with visitors.  Wear comfortable walking shoes and enjoy the variety of colors on campus.

"There are more than 250 cherry trees of different varieties blooming at different times.  Large trees near Gerberding Hall with flowers week after the Quad trees, and between Gerberding Hall and the Drumheller Fountain a group of young trees will also blossom a little later.

Visitors are asked to treat all of the trees with respect by not pulling on the blooming branches or climbing the tree limbs.  The UW is raising money to help care for and eventually replace the aging Quad cherry trees."       https://www.washington.edu/news/2018/02/23/university-of-washington-cherry-blossom-watch-2018/

It's always a spectacular tradition for my friends to see the blooms and welcome spring.  Thank for ready, stay connected. Jesse https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/

Washington State Apple Harvest

Washington apples and trade has a large impact for our state. Jesse Tam, they are known around the nation and the world. Apples are a staple, they might grow in any backyard or garden. There are varieties in our region, but the most majority of the crop in Washington State are - Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Honeycrisps and Cameo.

The apple season starts in mid-August and continues into fall. Each year, more than 100 million apple boxes are harvested and each box weighs about 40 pounds.  The harvest each year for Washington apples you purchase are picked by hand.  There are no harvesting machines for the annual crops.

Red Delicious made up three quarters of Washington's apple crop.

Washington designated apple as it's state fruit in 1989.  Most of the region's apples come from the Wenatchee Valley.  Our state produces almost 60 percent of the nation's supply of apples and have the best apple picking in the country. Take a day trip to Wentachee Valley near Leavenworth is a great way to spend a weekend.

There are several orchards near Seattle with large varieties of apple for those you enjoy the u pick. Plan ahead for dates and availability. Thanks for reading Jesse https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/

Ballard Locks Historic Site

The Ballard Locks are celebrating their 100th birthday this July 4th. Come join the event and celebrate. Jesse Tam, it's a great place to bring visitors and view the locks and fish ladder. The Seattle icon is a historic site and tourist site with over 1.3 million visitors a year. During the Centennial Year celebration, numerous events are schedule with events and activities to help raise funds for the Fish Ladder Renovation. Don't miss the concerts opened to the public from the months of May thru October.  

The free concert series continues with the Seattle Civic Band, performing Friday, July 7th at 6:00-7:00 pm and on Sunday August 6th from 2:00 - 3:00 pm is the Ballard Sedentary Sousa Band. The Ballard Locks (Hiram M. Chittenden) are the busiest in the nation with over 40,000 boats traveling thru 24 hours/day.  Bring the family and enjoy the locks with a picnic and summer events and activities with music and weekend tour during the summer months.

Don't miss the Visitor Center Gift Shop and the Fish Ladder migration of the salmons while your are there. Add your name to the Salmon Wall Legacy by helping with the renovation of the Fish Ladder viewing room.  Enjoy the garden and locks with a walking tour during the summer months from the Visitor Center.  The public tour lasts about an hour. 

Have fun viewing the boats traveling through the lock. It's a favor place for tourists and locals, Jesse. https://jesse-tam.blogspot.com/

The Best You Can

Do the Best You Can

Take time from the daily grime, appreciate each day. Explore the outdoors of nature, see new places and continue learning.There is so much to more to see...Seattle to New York. Our lives are filled with a fast paced from sunrise until the midnight oil is burned. The important things in life is to take time for yourself and those surrounding you. Jesse Tam helps others by volunteering in the community and mentoring students by becoming involved in others. Friends and extended family can make a difference in the paths and decisions made. Learn more  http://jessetam.com  Extend a hand to others and see the results. Make a Difference, be a leader.

 Do the best you can, and don't take life too serious -

Will Rogers

Washington Apples Impact Overseas

 It was a privilege to see the fruit orchard and Yakima processing plant with Jesse Tam. Washington state apples are exported to 60 countries and provides jobs in the Yakima valley and eastern Washington. The apple industry exports 30 percent  (30%)  of its yearly harvest. How we engage in trade and doing business with other countries impacts our state economy.

Yakima Apple Orchard - Red Delicious Tree 

The average size of an orchard is about 50 acres, but some cover 3,000 acres and employ 300 or more employees year-round.  The Yakima and eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains is the ideal area for orchard. The fields are irrigated with mountain waters.

The growers harvest a wide variety of apples including Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Jonagold, Fuji, Gala and many others.  Farmers are continuing to improve growing methods to produce crisper, juicier and more flavor and to keep better in storage. Apples are hand picked and dwarf trees improve harvest efficiency because labor is reduced. 

Sorting Apples

Apple Processing

Packing and Processing

The Top 10 Countries (Export)  from Washington Apple Growers:

Mexico, Canada, UAE (Dubai) Taiwan, India, Indonesia
Vietnam, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Thailand

The containers are shipped to the Ports in Seattle and Pacific Northwest cargo will head overseas.  Asia values the fresh fruits and produces from Washington for its high quality and food safety.

Visit the processing plant and orchard