Finding America

We woke to a picture perfect day. This is the kind of day that makes it possible for Seattle residents to put up with 9 months of crappy weather. So to take advantage of it Kam and I took to the bike trail that followed the Green River adjacent to our campsite.

Sam met us around 10:30 and we drove over to Alkai Beach west from Seattle across the sound. We got a beautiful view of the city from here and the beach and its bike and walking trails were packed with folks reveling in the sudden sunshine. We strolled a bit and then had some amazing pizza at Pegasus Pizza overlooking the beach. The view of the city from the beach is excellent and it was so clear we could make our all the places we had been in the city and where we were planning to go later.

We drove back across the bridge into Seattle and found a place to park in Pioneer Square just a few blocks from the Baseball Stadium. We stopped in at the Underground Seattle Tour to get our tickets for the afternoon tour and then headed towards the water and Pike’s Place Market.

The Market was everything I expected this famous public bazaar to be. We saw vendors slinging fish, miles of fresh flowers and produce and retailers selling a wild assortment of knickknack and must haves. In the heart of the Market lies the original Starbucks coffee shop. The store used the company’s first logo of the bare breasted mermaid and it’s merchandise carried the siren’s steely gaze as well.

The place was slammed but it was a mandatory pilgrimage for this java junkie. Sam and I pushed our way to the barista and placed our order. There was a palpable caffeine buzz in the air as 4 cash registers raked in the bucks and tourists continued to stream in the door dancing to the whistle blow of the milk steamer’s frothy melody.

As we emerged we saw folks gathering for a street-side magicians act. It seemed like the whole city had descended on the market while we were in the Starbucks. We jostled our was to the nearby park and could barely find a spare patch of grass. Tourists, hippies and the homeless were staking claim to their favorite sunning spots and soaking up the sun. In the distance we could make out the snow covered peak of Mt. Ranier standing vigil over the city.

We walked back towards Pioneer Square and met up with our tour guide for the Underground Tour. The Tour was really well done and the comical historical narrative was educational and entertaining. If only school could have been so enjoyable. Check out the video of our tour along the old sidewalks and storefronts than were long ago abandoned as the roadways were raised from the muck and mire of this former tidal flat area.

After the tour we wandered down by the Stadiums and found our way to the Pyramid Brewery adjacent to the stadium. They had set up a game day beer garden and the three of us enjoyed a pint with the other fans before heading into the stadium.

We headed into the stadium and found our excellent seats. Thanks to Sam for coordinating this little adventure. The game was so fun, the food was and artery clogging smorgasbord and it made me long for our own baseball team. The game was over in the first inning when Seattle’s starting pitcher threw a bunch of sally pitches and allowed the Royals to put far too many points on the board that early in the game. He was booed off the field by disgruntled fans and hope was lost for a win. Nonetheless we had a blast just enjoying the atmosphere, the weather and Sam’s company.

We walked back to the truck after the game only to find that some yahoos had parked in the drive aisle and blocked us in our space. Ahhhhhh are you kidding me!!!! Kamrin went on a mission to get the car towed and called the parking facility manager, the police and a tow company. As she was speaking with the police a homeless guy got all flustered and said he knew who’s cars they were and that they’d be back any second to move them.

Ah ha. This joker had charged people coming into this public parking area and told them it would be fine if they blocked us in. LOL!! The owner did come back to his car after about 45 minutes. Let’s just say that this poor fellow with girlfriend in tow got a serious piece of my mind and when their illegitimate homeless parking attendant tried to smooth things over he got a piece of my mind too. It is unbelievable how ignorant people can be.

Anyhow we got the Fox out of hock and on the way home. Even so long after the game we still crawled through town along with the rest of the fans trying to get home. It was a scene though and we didn’t mind the back up. Sam thought the garage confrontation was hilarious and we all rehashed the absurdity of it all.

We eventually made it back to Kent and literally fell in bed and were asleep before our heads hit the pillows. What a full and amazing day. Thanks to our tour guide Sam. Thanks so much buddy.