Campus (various), Seattle

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To complete our tour of the First Hill area, we decided to go for a walk around the Seattle University Campus. Though it's nowhere near as big as the University of Washington, Seattle University is the largest independent university in the Pacific Northwest, with over 7,500 students. It was established in 1891, and over the years the university's 48-acre campus has gained recognition for its sustainable environmental management through the creation of energy and water conservation programs, recycling and compost facilities, and pesticide-free grounds. Since we were there during the last week of October when the fall colours were out, the campus was absolutely gorgeous and surprisingly quiet. It made for a really nice change from the more busy pace of downtown Seattle, and it sure is a nice way to walk from First Hill to Capitol Hill.

The St. Ignatius Chapel on the Seattle University Campus is beautiful. It's my favorite building in Seattle. The interior is all white with splashes of color from the window. Definitely worth the walk up Capitol Hill to see it.

I found the sundial on the wall of my building during my "after lunch walk." It is another proof that it's not always gray and rainy in Seattle. :) The sundial is located on the Pacifc Street side of the Physics and Astronomy Building (PAB).

Early spring, the Quad on UW campus transforms into a spring wonderland with cherry blossoms in full bloom and petals falling like snow. These cherry trees are old and deteriorating (and some have died already), but thanks to the class of 59, new trees are growing at a nursery site at the Center for Urban Horticulture and will eventually replace the dying trees so that this stunning springtime show can continue!

Taking a walk around campus (regardless of the time) is always a pleasure. We took a midnight stroll through the campus and couldn't believe how beautiful the old buildings were as they stood in the dark. While you're walking around, try to find the outdoor theatre with the greek columns hidden inside. The trees the surrounds the theatre hiding it from the rest of the world make the place all the more enchanting. Who knows how many plays of Shakespeare were brought to life on this grassy stage!

The University of Washington was founded in 1861 and has more than 40,000 students.

The University of Washington Campus is large and beautiful. It is filed with huge lawns, lovely trees and scenic views of Seattle. I recommend taking a bike tour of the campus, because it is so big. And remember, locals call it "U Dub."

University Village, located just outside campus is a great shopping area. There is a large QFC (grocery store) here, as well as trendy clothing and home stores.

Be sure to check out Ranier Vista on campus, a central plaza with a fountain that looks out onto spectacular Mt. Ranier.

Another great sight is Husky Stadium, where UW's football team plays. This is a breathtaking stadium, with amazing views of the lake. If you can see a football game here, you won't soon forget it!

Visit the University of Washington and stroll through one of the nation's most beautiful campuses. The UW, pronounced 'you dub', has spectacular architecture and views of Mt. Rainier, the Cascades and Lake Washington. You'll also enjoy the buzz of activity in the U District with endless choices of restaurants and coffee houses.

America's western states are not known for their long range planning. Most large builldings are expected to be torn down in 30-50 years. Whole neighborhoods are reconstructed when a wave of development crashes through. The exceptions to this rule are the big universities, whose grounds and buildings are built for posterity and expected to acquire patina. Yes, a few mistakes were made in the 60's and 70's but many of those have been corrected and the recent spate of construction on the UW camps has been largely tasteful.

Denny Hall is the oldest building (and originally the only building) on campus. It was built in the French Renaissance style, and was completed in 1895. Completing Denny Hall is the "Varsity Bell," which was brought around the Horn of South America in the winter of 1861-62 for installation in the original Territorial University building. In its years at the downtown site the bell was rung for weddings, tolled for funerals, guided ships to safe harbor in foggy weather, warned of the anti-Chinese riots of 1886, and signalled the start of the great Seattle fire of 1889. Today, it is rung at Homecoming, on weekdays at 8:20 a.m. and for special events.