Mehling.org: Seattle

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July 29, 2005

Seattle

Up at a ridiculously early hour to catch a 7am flight to Seattle. I can't stand these "ultra convenient" e-ticket kiosk things. They never work right and require assistance from an airline staffer. And of course, there are less staffers available since they've installed this "ultra convenient" e-ticket kiosks! Apparently the airlines equate "ultra convenient" with "nearly missing your flight". Where's my coffee?

Spent the day in Seattle w/ Dan and Hol. Ate some lunch at Pike Brewery and Pub (yummy Pike Street XXXXX Stout) and then walked around Pike Market and the surrounding area. It was encouraging to see the Seattle stereotype holds true. A coffee shop or two on every corner, plus espresso at every gas station/convenience store.

Drove up to the Space Needle (arguably this nation's finest needle! ). Tried to convince Hol and Dan that we didn't need to go to the top -- it's just a big building (not even the tallest one in Seattle) and there'd be tickets to purchase and a line to wait in, etc. As you well know, I'm a party poop. They both said we *had* to do it. The tour guide in the elevator summed up my feelings nicely, sarcastically noting that the space needle is now *the* 7th tallest building in Seattle, giving the little "rock on" gesture. Exactly!

OK, ok... the wait was worthwhile. Because the Needle is set apart from downtown and the surrounding bays, neighborhoods, etc., the view is pretty damn sweet. We took tons of pictures of the view. For whatever reason, thanks to the staff docents at the Needle, we also learned that the plural of octopus is not octopi, but octopuses (he'd received a personal memo from the president of the Seattle aquarium for using octopi). Weird, eh? Education *plus* a great view (http://www.spaceneedle.com/webcam/), what was I complaining about?

We then headed for the ferry landing in Seattle to head across Puget Sound towards Port Townsend. Unfortunately it was 4:30pm on a Friday and every other commuter was attempting the same maneuver. We headed north to catch Edmonds/Kingston ferry. Waited in line through the 5:10 and 5:50 departures and finally got onto the 6:30 boat. Excellent, another chance to have some coffee! During this whole affair, we were trying to figure out how people who actually have to be somewhere handle commuting on the ferries. Washington has kindly provided Ferry Cams so you can see what the wait time and traffic is like around your area.

Had a very nice late supper at the Fountain Cafe (scroll down). One of the waitresses was also dairy and glutton sensitive so Hol was able to get something that was perfect for her. The place is slightly larger than Side Street in Newport, but just as cozy and friendly. Food was delicious. Bonus points for Thievery Corporation playing in the background.

Finally made it back to Dan and Elise's place around 10:30. We were greeted by both Nit Noi (Dan's cat) and Guinness (Elise's Lab/Newfoundland mutt). Finally got to bed around 12:30am. ZZZZzzzzz.

Pictures from today.

Posted by ben at July 29, 2005 11:59 PM


« Notable URLs on 2005-07-28 \| Main \| Port Townsend Crab Fishermen » July 29, 2005 Seattle Up at a ridiculously early hour to catch a 7am flight to Seattle. I can't stand these "ultra convenient" e-ticket kiosk things. They never work right and require assistance from an airline staffer. And of course, there are less staffers available since they've installed this "ultra convenient" e-ticket kiosks! Apparently the airlines equate "ultra convenient" with "nearly missing your flight". Where's my coffee? Spent the day in Seattle w/ Dan and Hol. Ate some lunch at Pike Brewery and Pub (yummy Pike Street XXXXX Stout) and then walked around Pike Market and the surrounding area. It was encouraging to see the Seattle stereotype holds true. A coffee shop or two on every corner, plus espresso at every gas station/convenience store. Drove up to the Space Needle (arguably this nation's finest needle! ). Tried to convince Hol and Dan that we didn't need to go to the top -- it's just a big building (not even the tallest one in Seattle) and there'd be tickets to purchase and a line to wait in, etc. As you well know, I'm a party poop. They both said we had to do it. The tour guide in the elevator summed up my feelings nicely, sarcastically noting that the space needle is now the 7th tallest building in Seattle, giving the little "rock on" gesture. Exactly! OK, ok... the wait was worthwhile. Because the Needle is set apart from downtown and the surrounding bays, neighborhoods, etc., the view is pretty damn sweet. We took tons of pictures of the view. For whatever reason, thanks to the staff docents at the Needle, we also learned that the plural of octopus is not octopi, but octopuses (he'd received a personal memo from the president of the Seattle aquarium for using octopi). Weird, eh? Education plus a great view (http://www.spaceneedle.com/webcam/), what was I complaining about? We then headed for the ferry landing in Seattle to head across Puget Sound towards Port Townsend. Unfortunately it was 4:30pm on a Friday and every other commuter was attempting the same maneuver. We headed north to catch Edmonds/Kingston ferry. Waited in line through the 5:10 and 5:50 departures and finally got onto the 6:30 boat. Excellent, another chance to have some coffee! During this whole affair, we were trying to figure out how people who actually have to be somewhere handle commuting on the ferries. Washington has kindly provided Ferry Cams so you can see what the wait time and traffic is like around your area. Had a very nice late supper at the Fountain Cafe (scroll down). One of the waitresses was also dairy and glutton sensitive so Hol was able to get something that was perfect for her. The place is slightly larger than Side Street in Newport, but just as cozy and friendly. Food was delicious. Bonus points for Thievery Corporation playing in the background. Finally made it back to Dan and Elise's place around 10:30. We were greeted by both Nit Noi (Dan's cat) and Guinness (Elise's Lab/Newfoundland mutt). Finally got to bed around 12:30am. ZZZZzzzzz. Pictures from today. Posted by ben at July 29, 2005 11:59 PM		Bookmarks Ben's Resume Ben's Lists Mehling Photo Album Flickr Photo Album Recently Archived Cozumal and Playa Palancar Akumal Desperately Seeking Lodging See you in nine days Sian Ka'an Coba Ruins Tulum Ruins Finally! Background Micro Credit Archives August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005 July 2005 June 2005 May 2005 April 2005 March 2005 February 2005 January 2005 December 2004 November 2004 October 2004 September 2004 August 2004 July 2004 June 2004 May 2004 April 2004 March 2004 February 2004 January 2004 December 2003 November 2003 October 2003 September 2003 August 2003 July 2003 Etc. Search: