Back from Starbucks land
Posted Monday, January 22nd, 2007 at 3:01 pm
Just got back from a few days in Seattle. Went to visit my friend Walter, which - though being a really close friends since we met the first day of college 14 years ago - was my first time seeing him in Seattle.
Both Walter & Seattle were great hosts. Despite being in the middle of one of the worst winter’s in Seattle history, Saturday was a beautiful day with mostly clear sky. We paid our $14 tribute to the Space Needle (and a certain wealthy family that owns the Seattle monument), ate at several fine dining establishments (though we passed up the chance to eat at a place called “El Chupacabra” - don’t know when I’ll have that chance again), walked around the renowned Pike’s Place (see photo below), and debated the place of Seattle’s finest burger joints in comparison to In-N-Out (no comparison, don’t worry.)
Walter & his wife Celine live just north of downtown Seattle in Greenlake. The nearby lake, which is so named because of the algea, is quite beautiful. As much as I love Los Angeles, I’d have to say all of the waterways in Seattle really add to the beauty & character of the city - more so than all of the coffee shops!)
A few travel odds-n-ends:
This was my first chance to try out the Union Station Fly Away bus to LAX. For only $6 (roundtrip), the bus leaves every 1/2 hour and only took about 35 minutes to get me to my gate at LAX. Considering it is only a 5 minute ride to Union Station from my house, I think I’m sold on this from here on out.
Seat 11F - It was like flying in first class from the waist down. Never have I had more leg room. I’ve come to realize that what I used to think was a general apathy about travel & going to new places is really more my specific dislike of getting to new places, mostly due to the difficulty of travel for someone of my size.
Found this odd discovery of cell-phone charger at airport. Niche marketing at its finest.
January 22nd, 2007 at 4:31 pm
I’m glad you liked my city! I love all the water too (roller blading around Greenlake is the best), but don’t dog the coffee shops. You know you secretly loved them…
January 22nd, 2007 at 5:03 pm
I know what you mean about hating the traveling part–I like destinations but not getting there.
I love Seattle in July and August. You can take it the rest of the year. Though given what’s been going on here in the Rockies for the past two months I guess people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones :^)
January 23rd, 2007 at 10:55 pm
The real question is whether Walter took you to Dick’s Drive In. I know, I know no comparison to In-n-Out, but my grandfather helped start it back in the day, so I have to show it some love.
January 24th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Molly - keep on trying to pass off your coffee addiction as mine.
Tom - Amen on the destination vs. getting there. Once I realized how much I just disliked “getting there,” it opened me up to a lot more destinations. Though I’ve written of the red-eye as a means of getting there. I’d rather… (fill in the blank with torturous experience).
Jennica - Nice try on Dick’s drive-in. Though we went to Red Mill, we did discuss Dick’s. The problem is that not only could the burger fail to live up to the In-N-Out taste, but it is difficult to compete with the IN-N-Out mystique. Where else can a place with only 3 menu options (plus fries) be such an empire, and yet have such a cult following based on secret menu (see official “secret” menu codes or even more extensive “secret” menu codes here)
January 30th, 2007 at 12:42 am
I want to visit Seattle! I’m glad you got to see Walter. And great pics.