"33rd World Wide Sketchcrawl - Clover Island"

A couple of weeks ago our sketchgroup went down to the Columbia river here in Kennewick, WA., and out on to Clover Island to sketch the "bridges and things associated with them," for the 33rd World Wide Sketchcrawl.  Clover Island is a man-made island, though I don't know when it was made I do know it was there in 1957 when we moved here from Texas. Back then it was littered with old boats, and dirty mechanic shops, a Coast Guard station, and a bunch of junky looking places. 

Some years ago a restaurant and a hotel were constructed,  and in the last few years the city has been working to dress the place up.  So far, I think they are doing a good job of encouraging more commerce to move in; and they have put a decorative light-house and landscaping.   

We had a good turn-out for the sketch, and in particular I had a great time sketching the island looking east first, then from the same spot, and on the next day, sketching the view looking west.

Both days of sketching were gorgeous, warm not cold, and the sun was shining brightly. 

The top sketch is looking east, down main, the only street on the island.  In the distance is the Cable Bridge.  That bridge replaced the old Green bridge way back in the late '70's, I think.  It's very modern looking with not one, but two sets of spires with the cables running down to support the roadway. On a really clear day, you can see the Blue Mountains in the far distance.

The lower image is looking west, from the same spot, on the next day.  Here you can see one of the newly added buildings, the Clover Island Yacht Club, and the lighthouse, previously mentioned.  In the far background is Badger Mountain.  It isn't really a mountain, but here in eastern Washington, it might be the 2nd or 3rd highest point.  The other bridge runs off to the right, way behind the lighthouse.  I decided to leave it out of this sketch.

Hope you enjoy.