Quiet day in Seattle

Seattle, Washington

Weather Max 12 Min 7

Just a quiet day in Seattle. I mainly spent the morning walking around enjoying the sights and chatting with people.  It was pretty chilly out there so  a few Starbucks stops were required.

I found Safeway's (eventually) which was - very surprisingly - just around the corner. I have a unique gift of making places that are  close, a long, long, long way away.  I know I have Google Maps on my phone but I seem to follow the wrong arrow. I need some lessons. I like that Safeway's has hot soup ready to go in cold weather so I had some chunky chicken noodle soup for lunch.

Very nice - very warming - I love soup weather

This afternoon I had to yet again repack all my gear because tomorrow I'm flying to Omaha Nebraska and the baggage rules are different for the plane than the train. A bit of redistribution was required. The train is great - 2 cases for the hold and 2 carry on. With the plane I had to pay $60 for my 2 bags of checked in luggage and I can only have 1 carry on. 
Hence the redistribution.

Anyway, I think it is ok but will get to the airport extra early in case I have to make any changes.

Left over Indian food for dinner - tastes better tonight than last night.

I'm very much looking forward to see my  dear friends Karen and Robby tomorrow night. xxx

Awake in Seattle

Seattle Washington

Weather Max 11 Min 4 - Cold few days ahead. I might add that the weatherman keeps going on about how warm it is for this time of year. The chill factor this morning was CHILLING!!

I packed all my stuff early because I was changing hotels. I had to be out of the first by 11 am and into the second after 2 pm so I stored my bags in Hostel #1 and went out to see Seattle.  

Everything was within easy walking distance and I started by having a ride on the Monorail. It was only a $1 in granny money but it only goes from point A to point B and back again so while it was fun to do, it failed on the excitement scale.  I then went up the Space Needle and it has spectacular views but when you are on the ledge it seems to slope outwards and downwards. I felt a little bit  nauseous and like I was going to slip off the edge.

A friend, Sarina Polmar, told me about the Gum Wall in Post Alley near The Pike Place Markets so I checked it out. I suppose it's a bit gross but it was very colourful - looked like Jackson Pollock's painting Blue Poles. People  chew gum of various colours and then stick it to the walls of this alley.

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I wandered around the markets for a while and they are the best. At the fish markets the fishmongers suddenly yell out and a giant fish gets thrown from one to the other. Something a bit different and proves that fish CAN fly.

Am I not pretty enough?

I hadnt had breakfast and it was getting on for 1 pm so I went to a place called Ludi's and had breakfast / lunch. It was like and old time Diner. The food was good - the coffee was good and the music from the juke box was terrific. There was a bunch of guys sitting at the bar and  I'm being politically correct by saying they looked like they just "survived" the sixties and the music reflected this. Great place. 

Naughty but nice

I wandered around some more and then returned to pick up my stored baggage and go to the second hotel. It's a very nice little place but I'm going to have to start economising with my accommodation or I'll be one of those homeless people. :(

You know how the eyes in some paintings follow you around the room? Well the Space Needle seems to be doing that to me. Every time I look out a window - any window - there it is! I have another splendid view of it.

By the time I moved in I had already walked 8 kms carrying a heavy back pack with my computer and iPad and my travel docs etc (I didn't fancy risking them in the store room) so I thought I'd have a restful rest of afternoon.

Here are some photos taken during my meanderings that caught my eye.

Noosa - could it be?

Very Cute

Random - I have seen some things that made my eyes pop. Two guys openly lighting and smoking crack pipes on the street. A lady getting up off her knees in an alley - she must have dropped something - and the man in front of her was being a gentleman and was probably just helping her up. WINK! WINK!  Ah I've lived a sheltered life ;)

News from home - Derek has finally got his cone removed after he was desexed and as you can see he is delirious with joy.  No Really! That his happy face. :)  

Little smiling beautiful face xxxx
I miss you baby boy xxx

Ermagerd! Another State of Origin-er

Portland Oregon

Weather  Max 11 Min 5

I went down to the dining area for the free breakfast - quite good but the dining room looked like it had been invaded by a ZZ Top convention  - I felt quite naked without a great big beard.

I was leaving on the 12 noon train to Seattle (sounds like a song) so I packed up my gear which seems to be getting heavier each day.  When I got to Union Station I went up to get my reserved ticket and the guy said "Queensland State of Origin" and I'm thinking WTF is going on - two in two days. Yes,  he recognised the scarf and it seems he's been to Australia about 7 times - mostly FNQ. Just crazy.

The trip was great - I do love the trains. A bit of a nap and some sight seeing as I travelled and the 3 hour trip became 4 hours but thats ok. We stopped once because another train was on our line and we had to back up and change lines. Is that disturbing?

Below are some of the sights I saw - it really is a beautiful part of the world.

Go the Seahawks!!!

I've moved into the hostel that I booked previously but not happy as there is only one small locker each in a share room and with my computers etc there is no real security  The locker was old and I wasn't happy at all putting my gear in it.  I changed my booking to a private room just for tonight and I've
made other arrangements for the next 2 nights. I've actually booked a proper hotel for the same inflated price as the not so nice hostel. Once again more than I wanted to pay but these things happen.

The good news is that I have been feeling better today so hopefully I'm getting my "get up and go" back.  I can see the Space Needle from where I sit and I'm looking forward to a day reacquainting myself with Seattle. I love it here - it is a gorgeous place with lots to see.

State of Origin fan in Portland

Portland Oregon

Weather Max 15 Min 6

A slow start today and then I headed off about 11 ish to ride the Portland Aerial Tram. The tram carries commuters between  the South Waterfront area to the Oregon Health & Science University and it only travels 3,300 ft or 1 km and back again. It was built with much controversy, opening in December 2006. It cost $57  million  - 4 times the original estimate.  Many of the houses beneath the tram were worried about property values and loss of privacy saying they own the air space above their houses. One man even put up a sign saying  "FUCK THE TRAM" on his roof and the authorities had no power to make him remove it as it couldn't be seen from the road. 

Portland Aerial Tram

File picture from Google - I'm not
 sure if the sign  is still there

It was  quite an overcast day but the scenery was still very impressive.

From the sky tram

The actual ride made me a bit squeamish - it sort of swung a bit and there was lots of "bouncing" while docking. I didn't feel the need to ride it more than once :)

Regardless of the weather there are many cyclists who still brave the roads 

After surviving the Aerial Tram I caught a Street Car and felt much more grounded :). I wandered around the Pearl District for a while and I must admit - it really is a pretty city, regardless of the weather.

From the Street Car

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I needed to find a post office to post Lee another gift so I turned to Mr Google for help.

Do you think this one is BIG ENOUGH!! lol

US Post Office

It was getting a bit chilly and my warm, dry, cosy feet wanted to offer the same advantages to my cold, dead hands. I noticed an outdoor shop - sort of Khatmandu type store - and walked in to check their wares. As soon as I did the guy behind the counter yelled out "State of Origin - Maroons". He was pointing at my scarf. Seems he had been following Jarryd Haynes (Aussie Footballer - Rugby) when he was playing in the USA and he got hooked on our football and especially the State of Origin. It was great to have a chat with him and all the people who worked there all came over too. A good old time :)

Brendan - Game of Origin Fan

Random - I went into a Riteaid for supplies and all along the shelves there were magnifying glasses attached to them to help you read all that tiny writing on the back of bottles and packaging. What a great idea.

I returned to the hotel as it started to get dark and before the protesters came out again and did some more washing in preparation of travelling to Seattle tomorrow.

I'm still not a 100% but am getting better and looking forward to seeing Seattle again

A rainy day in Portland

Portland Oregon

Weather Max 14 Min 9

A good nights sleep and feeling brighter than yesterday so I ventured out into the cold and wet....armed with my NEW boots and  my NEW umbrella. Most of the leaves have dropped from the trees and are in soggy lumps  in the gutters ... not quite so picturesque but a lot different to  home (Brisbane)  and the hot weather they are having.

I'm very glad I booked the extra days here so I can recharge my batteries in comfort. I don't have a cold or anything like that - just feel bit wiped out.

I went to Powell's City of Books and was mind blown.  It's the largest New and Used Book store in the world. It takes up a full city block!!  Quite amazing - it's even open on Christmas Day and New Year's Day. If you are ever in Portland put a week aside and enjoy this book fest. I  had a hot chocolae and a scone and relaxed with some light reading.

Powell's Book Shop - Never-ending rows of books

A snack and some light reading

Powell's

I dragged myself way from Powell's and wandered through the streets, test driving my NEW boots which kept my feet dry and warm and comfy. Definitely a good buy.

The Christmas tree just put up
 - awaiting decoration.
Amazing - a LIVE Christmas
this size :)

Cute

There are lots of these little food stands
along the street that offer many
different  varieties of food

I've bonded with them -
so warm and comfy - and dry

I have never had a crawfish so I stopped at Jake's Famous Crawfish and partook of something that I can't pronounce and I can't spell but was basically crawfish in a Cajun stew. It tasted wonderful and that little dude on top was almost too cute to eat.....almost! The drink I had was a bluebery puree  with freshly squeezed lemonade and iced tea. I can't describe the taste but it was unlike anything I've had before and was absolutely delicious.

Scrumptious and Colin the Crawfish
sitting on top. I ate him :)

By mid afternoon I was beginning to fade again so I returned to the hotel. I was glad that I'd felt well enough to go out but was also glad to get back. Coffee, TV and into bed and 2 1/2 hours later I woke up. Coffee was cold so I must have just zonked out.  Well if that's what I need to recoup then so be it.

Before I went out this morning I booked the train to Seattle for Wednesday and hostel accomodation for 2 nights. Then I've booked a flight to Omaha Nebraska to visit with very dear friends Karen and Robby. Cannot wait to see them xxxx