The Everett Factory
Co-workers often offer great suggestions when you travel to a destination they know. While Boeing hadn’t made my bucket list, my co-worker suggested this activity because his daughter works as an engineer at this very plant. Though I hadn’t put it in my sights, I loved visiting.
Below you’ll see many pictures, however, the official tour insists on a hands-free experience. Boeing provides see through lockers for your use as nothing is allowed on tour.
I had purchased my tour ticket online, but when I arrived extra early I asked to move up my tour. The ticket sales counter eagerly adjusted my ticket.
The tour begins in a theatre where you meet your tour guide, watch a video, and review expectations. Our guide walked through the audience (maybe 40 people) asking where we lived and how we have interacted with planes. Several people represented different countries, and we even had airline pilots touring to see the inner workings of the planes they fly.
The Everett campus manufactures the 777 and 787 Dreamliner series and boasts themselves as the largest building in the world by volume. I took a picture of a poster that shows three airplanes in a variety of assembly steps. While it is simply a photo of a photo, that is exactly what we saw while on tour.
After the movie detailing the Boeing history concluded, all of us boarded a charter bus and headed to the building. The garage doors were massive, but the size of the inside was jaw-dropping.
People continually work in the factory, so we saw engineers inspecting the engines, airplanes dissected into sections, the furnishings standing by for installation, wings waiting to go on…
Each section of the plane rests on a wheeled workstation. As the planes finish one step, they roll down the assembly line. My viewing area was many stories above the planes, so I could see how they move. In addition, certain parts of the floor drop, so Boeing could run tests on the landing gear. They even have a portable heating device (think the width of the cavity of the plane) that cures the metal parts.
The garage doors open once the plane is completed, and Boeing along with the purchasing company, head to Paine Field, and enjoy a practice flight. All components have been tested prior to this step, but the companies have to assure themselves the plane is truly ready.
After all of the agreements have been ironed out, and the buyers sign on the dotted line, painting begins. Take a guess at how much paint is used…did you say between 600 and 1200 pounds of paint??? If you did, great job. I never imagined that much paint.
Once we passed all the top spots, we drove back to the visitor center. We walked right into a gift shop, but no one had money as it was locked up. I’m not a big souvenir person, so I didn’t feel the need to return to purchase a memento.
I walked out of the gift shop and into the Visitor’s Center where pictures were allowed. I wanted to capture a taste of the facility. So I walked out to their sky view and admired the many new planes queued up for final inspections. I also had the run of the displays and flew a simulated flight (no crashing but no landing either), stood inside the cavity of a plane, and devised ways to take selfies from behind the panel of the plane (masking tape and a handrail). Overall, I recommend the tour if you love planes and/or flying. Knowing how those structures are constructed helps build confidence and awe.
My last full day of vacation created a sense of urgency within me. I had so many things to see, so I moved quickly to visit my main objectives—the two remaining trolls.
Frankie Feetsplinters
Frankie Feetsplinters lives outside the National Nordic Museum in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle. Behind the museum, paid parking provides you the opportunity to stay a little longer. The street parking offers some free spots to get out and enjoy Frankie for a short visit.
Frankie’s the final installation of the Northwest Troll project and expresses himself in a more rebellious way. For instance, he moved from the forest to an urban area and is seen stomping a bench. Mischievous troll that he is, Frankie generously provides a toothy grin for all who visit.
Once again, time was of the essence, so I headed to Issaquah where I met Jakob Two Trees. The drive to Jakob included plenty of amazing views of Seattle. I did take a toll road (tunnel), but I’m still waiting for the charge. Apparently the city takes a photo of the license plate or the car then bills you. It will catch up to me sometime soon. Anyway…
Jakob Two Trees
From rebellious Frankie to peaceful guardian and nature lover, Jakob, I went. Upon my arrival, I noticed a race was underway. The path along Rainier Trail to Jakob had not been closed down, so I walked a short distance on the path to see him.
Jakob has the first pony tail of all the Dambo trolls. A cedar-woven band holds it in place. The Snoqualmie Tribe provided the band to symbolize the similarities between Scandinavian folklore and Coast Salish tribal traditions. His necklace continues the birdhouse tradition of Thomas Dambo inviting all creatures to him.
His 14 foot stature impressed all the young children who waited for the ongoing race to continue. I’d have loved to follow the trail through the area, but once again I had so much to see,
I decided to stay closer to Portland. This meant I had a few hours to drive plus I decided a few more spots needed to go on my agenda. Stay tuned for them but know my heart felt so happy to have had the opportunity to see all six trolls. The rest turned out to be the icing on the cake.
Reba Roams the World 
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