Rocked out to RB2 on the PS3 at Jon's last night. Playing RB1 at Jon's originally got me hooked to the game to the point I wanted to get my own PS3 and copy of RB2 when it came out. I should have mine by the end of the week.
It rocked. It's wide variety of songs are just fun. And I am looking forward to having my own instrument set so I can actually practice and get good at drums. Drums takes a little more practice then guitars and when playing with a group of friends you don't want to be bringing down the band by either playing on Easy or failing out every other song.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Border crossing
Day 9
The final day (sorta).
Our goal today was do some final things, cross back into the US and just get to the car rental place at 10 p.m. to be plenty early for our 12:40 a.m. flight (a red-eye back home).
We started the day driving into Stanley Park which was beautiful despite it STILL raining from the day before .. 24 hours of non-stop rain. Insane. We wind our way through the park and get to the Vancouver Aquarium. Our main stop for the day.
By the time we get the morning coffee and drive there we get there about 11:00 a.m. A small aquarium compared to the monsters we've been to (Atlanta, Baltimore, Sea World), but some nice exhibits. A big section on British Columbian coastal fish (you'd be surprised how many there are) and section all about frogs.
The big attraction is their outdoor (with underwater viewing) tanks. They have a family of Beluga Whales (smaller white whales) with a newborn. We caught a zookeeper giving a talk on the birth and the family. Grandma, Mom and baby were in one tank. Dad and another female in another.
2 1/2 hours late we decide to head out and get back to the U.S. We would have stuck around more, but wanted to try and make it to a winery in northern Seattle by 4:30. We though leaving around 2ish we'd have plenty of time. We were wrong.
It took almost an hour to get through Vancouver. Downtown Vancouver doesn't have a highway running through or near it. so they only way through the city is THROUGH the city. Which means traffic and tons of stop lights. Eventually you break though on the south side and hit a freeway you take to the border. The only other option was Highway 1 which was on the north side of Vancouver proper, but it doesn't directly connect with Highway 99 (which takes you to the border).
Fine .. a little slower than expected. Then we hit the US border. Figuring it was the middle of the afternoon and we had nothing to declare, we'd be able to zip right through like we did coming into Canada. Nope. The signs warned 50 minutes to get through. And it was wrong .. took more like an hour. And we weren't sure why .. there was 4 lanes, really not many cars, and it took forever. It seemed our lane would move every 10 minutes. What was even more frustrating is when we got to the border agent, he asked us three questions and sent us through .. in under a minute!
So that put us behind, it was now after 4:00 p.m., we weren't going to make that winery. We also had planned to go to Microsoft Visitor Center (which was open until 7).
We finally make it to Redmond (where Microsoft is based) and get to the Visitor Center.
It was closed until November 2nd since it is moving to a new location. Nowhere on the official website (where we looked the night before) did it say this! Ugh.
Fine. We go to an Irish/Cajun restaurant (weird combo) and have some food. It was okay, my Jambalaya was way too spicy for my taste and even then nothing special.
After that we head to Bellevue to go to the Mall their to kill time. What a nice mall, had everything. We spent some time at the Container Store and then to Cheesecake Factory for some Pumpkin/Pecan cheesecake.
We head back to the car rental place, get a shuttle to the airport, wait for our flight and try and get as much sleep as possible on the 2 1/2 hour flight to Minneapolis. Jen (the navigator AND travel agent) smartly put us each in a window seat. Much easier to sleep with your head against the window. The rough part of the morning was the transfer at Minneapolis at (now 6-7 a.m.). Ugh.
We were pretty quiet after that.
Ed picked us up . .Jenny drove home .. and i was kidnapped to go paintballing with the guys. A long long day!
The final day (sorta).
Our goal today was do some final things, cross back into the US and just get to the car rental place at 10 p.m. to be plenty early for our 12:40 a.m. flight (a red-eye back home).
We started the day driving into Stanley Park which was beautiful despite it STILL raining from the day before .. 24 hours of non-stop rain. Insane. We wind our way through the park and get to the Vancouver Aquarium. Our main stop for the day.
By the time we get the morning coffee and drive there we get there about 11:00 a.m. A small aquarium compared to the monsters we've been to (Atlanta, Baltimore, Sea World), but some nice exhibits. A big section on British Columbian coastal fish (you'd be surprised how many there are) and section all about frogs.
The big attraction is their outdoor (with underwater viewing) tanks. They have a family of Beluga Whales (smaller white whales) with a newborn. We caught a zookeeper giving a talk on the birth and the family. Grandma, Mom and baby were in one tank. Dad and another female in another.
2 1/2 hours late we decide to head out and get back to the U.S. We would have stuck around more, but wanted to try and make it to a winery in northern Seattle by 4:30. We though leaving around 2ish we'd have plenty of time. We were wrong.
It took almost an hour to get through Vancouver. Downtown Vancouver doesn't have a highway running through or near it. so they only way through the city is THROUGH the city. Which means traffic and tons of stop lights. Eventually you break though on the south side and hit a freeway you take to the border. The only other option was Highway 1 which was on the north side of Vancouver proper, but it doesn't directly connect with Highway 99 (which takes you to the border).
Fine .. a little slower than expected. Then we hit the US border. Figuring it was the middle of the afternoon and we had nothing to declare, we'd be able to zip right through like we did coming into Canada. Nope. The signs warned 50 minutes to get through. And it was wrong .. took more like an hour. And we weren't sure why .. there was 4 lanes, really not many cars, and it took forever. It seemed our lane would move every 10 minutes. What was even more frustrating is when we got to the border agent, he asked us three questions and sent us through .. in under a minute!
So that put us behind, it was now after 4:00 p.m., we weren't going to make that winery. We also had planned to go to Microsoft Visitor Center (which was open until 7).
We finally make it to Redmond (where Microsoft is based) and get to the Visitor Center.
It was closed until November 2nd since it is moving to a new location. Nowhere on the official website (where we looked the night before) did it say this! Ugh.
Fine. We go to an Irish/Cajun restaurant (weird combo) and have some food. It was okay, my Jambalaya was way too spicy for my taste and even then nothing special.
After that we head to Bellevue to go to the Mall their to kill time. What a nice mall, had everything. We spent some time at the Container Store and then to Cheesecake Factory for some Pumpkin/Pecan cheesecake.
We head back to the car rental place, get a shuttle to the airport, wait for our flight and try and get as much sleep as possible on the 2 1/2 hour flight to Minneapolis. Jen (the navigator AND travel agent) smartly put us each in a window seat. Much easier to sleep with your head against the window. The rough part of the morning was the transfer at Minneapolis at (now 6-7 a.m.). Ugh.
We were pretty quiet after that.
Ed picked us up . .Jenny drove home .. and i was kidnapped to go paintballing with the guys. A long long day!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Experiencing a rain forest firsthand!
Day 8
It rained today. A lot .. all day. Not a downpour, just a steady drizzle of rain. Just enough to make doing anything outside (which is what we wanted to do) annoying as heck.
We did do a few things .. we went over to Lynn Canyon park to walk around. A free park of B.C. where you could hike around, see some more cascading water and cross yet another suspension bridge (albeit much short then the Capilano one). Oddly this area is where they are building a new water filtration plant and connecting with the Capilano river (a few miles west) via twin pipes.
After a few hours of walking around in the rain ..we had enough. Went back to the hotel to chill out and find something else to do. There really wasn't much else we wanted to see or do without being outside. So we just went over to West Vancouver and found an italian restaurant (Presto Past and Rustic Pizza) to have dinner.
We came back to the hotel, packed for leaving tomorrow and researched some things to do in Seattle on our way back to the airport.
Then we watched some TV and got to watch Grey's Anatomy. And I watched that "Life on Mars" show which is slowing hooking me in.
It rained today. A lot .. all day. Not a downpour, just a steady drizzle of rain. Just enough to make doing anything outside (which is what we wanted to do) annoying as heck.
We did do a few things .. we went over to Lynn Canyon park to walk around. A free park of B.C. where you could hike around, see some more cascading water and cross yet another suspension bridge (albeit much short then the Capilano one). Oddly this area is where they are building a new water filtration plant and connecting with the Capilano river (a few miles west) via twin pipes.
After a few hours of walking around in the rain ..we had enough. Went back to the hotel to chill out and find something else to do. There really wasn't much else we wanted to see or do without being outside. So we just went over to West Vancouver and found an italian restaurant (Presto Past and Rustic Pizza) to have dinner.
We came back to the hotel, packed for leaving tomorrow and researched some things to do in Seattle on our way back to the airport.
Then we watched some TV and got to watch Grey's Anatomy. And I watched that "Life on Mars" show which is slowing hooking me in.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
October is Pumpkin month! (in Canada!)
Day 7
Today was another exploring/eating day in downtown Vancouver.
An adventure in itself in trying to get a bus pass. We thought a local grocery store (Seoul Grocery) would let us use a credit card to buy two one-day bus passes, but they didn't for whatever reason. So we ran over to the bank to exchange some cash which did make some small purchases easier.
A few minutes and a one-day bus pass later and we were on our way into downtown Vancouver. The bus system here was a little more expensive then Seattle (we would have had to pay $2.50-3.75 per trip) but equally as easy. They are all over.
So we head downtown, walk towards the waterfront and stop in the Tourist Info building. I found these very helpful when I went to Ireland/England years ago and the same applied here. Tons of maps and guides to give us an idea of what to see and how to get there.
So we walked around Canada Place (a convention center and Imax theater on a pier) to get a great view of the harbor looking over to North Vancouver and the mountain ranges. Next we decided to walk to Granville Island. Via map it didn't look to bad and it we got a nice walk through the downtown shops. The problem is the bridge went OVER the island and we had to walk a ways past the island down and back around .. a 10-20 minute detour.
Granville Island is a small island on the south side of Vancouver with a public market and some shops. We found some nice treats for an afternoon snack - a pumpkin spice donut at Lee's donuts and some pumpkin and maple gelato (in honor of Canada) at GI Gelato. Yummy.
This time we take the bus back downtown .. our next section of town was to see Gastown, the old historic section of the city which is filled with some tourist shops and a steam-powered clock that blows off every hour (we stayed to watch).
From there a late afternoon snack at the Salt Tasting Room .. which was in a back alley in GasTown (Blood Alley). A different restaurant. You choose three different meats or cheeses and some condiments and basically have it on some bread while drinking some wine (or beer in my case). We had some brie, a spicy ham and some smoked pork. We had as condiments a honeycomb, some apricot jam and Guiness mustard. All very tasty, pretty affordable, but they get you on the drinks (which cost more than the tasting plate!
From there off to Chinatown (having to walk through junkie central to get there!). We walked around a little bit, through a garden, but as it was late, most of the stores were closing. We found a local restaurant to have dinner, we weren't that hungry and our portions were huge. Hun's Noodle House. This was pretty much a Chinese diner. The meals were cheap, nothing special compared to cheap Chinese restaurants back home, but it was filling.
Now we walk down Main Street to the Skytrain. Since we had a day pass we could ride it all day as well as the bus. We hop on the train and .... there was nowhere or no one to validate our tickets. We just hopped on .. road it through (and under) town and got out at Waterford station (the end of the line).
We wind our way through the station to the Sea Bus which would take us across to North Vancouver. We figure we'd get a free boat ride out of the deal! Just like the train .. everyone just hopped on. Nowhere to check you actually PAID the fare. Do they just work on the honor system here?
We ride over to North Vancouver .. a 10-15 minute trip. Walk around the waterfront there .. find a bus and head back to our hotel .. just in time to catch the end of the presidential debates (and the beginning of So You Think You Can Dance Canada!).
Today was another exploring/eating day in downtown Vancouver.
An adventure in itself in trying to get a bus pass. We thought a local grocery store (Seoul Grocery) would let us use a credit card to buy two one-day bus passes, but they didn't for whatever reason. So we ran over to the bank to exchange some cash which did make some small purchases easier.
A few minutes and a one-day bus pass later and we were on our way into downtown Vancouver. The bus system here was a little more expensive then Seattle (we would have had to pay $2.50-3.75 per trip) but equally as easy. They are all over.
So we head downtown, walk towards the waterfront and stop in the Tourist Info building. I found these very helpful when I went to Ireland/England years ago and the same applied here. Tons of maps and guides to give us an idea of what to see and how to get there.
So we walked around Canada Place (a convention center and Imax theater on a pier) to get a great view of the harbor looking over to North Vancouver and the mountain ranges. Next we decided to walk to Granville Island. Via map it didn't look to bad and it we got a nice walk through the downtown shops. The problem is the bridge went OVER the island and we had to walk a ways past the island down and back around .. a 10-20 minute detour.
Granville Island is a small island on the south side of Vancouver with a public market and some shops. We found some nice treats for an afternoon snack - a pumpkin spice donut at Lee's donuts and some pumpkin and maple gelato (in honor of Canada) at GI Gelato. Yummy.
This time we take the bus back downtown .. our next section of town was to see Gastown, the old historic section of the city which is filled with some tourist shops and a steam-powered clock that blows off every hour (we stayed to watch).
From there a late afternoon snack at the Salt Tasting Room .. which was in a back alley in GasTown (Blood Alley). A different restaurant. You choose three different meats or cheeses and some condiments and basically have it on some bread while drinking some wine (or beer in my case). We had some brie, a spicy ham and some smoked pork. We had as condiments a honeycomb, some apricot jam and Guiness mustard. All very tasty, pretty affordable, but they get you on the drinks (which cost more than the tasting plate!
From there off to Chinatown (having to walk through junkie central to get there!). We walked around a little bit, through a garden, but as it was late, most of the stores were closing. We found a local restaurant to have dinner, we weren't that hungry and our portions were huge. Hun's Noodle House. This was pretty much a Chinese diner. The meals were cheap, nothing special compared to cheap Chinese restaurants back home, but it was filling.
Now we walk down Main Street to the Skytrain. Since we had a day pass we could ride it all day as well as the bus. We hop on the train and .... there was nowhere or no one to validate our tickets. We just hopped on .. road it through (and under) town and got out at Waterford station (the end of the line).
We wind our way through the station to the Sea Bus which would take us across to North Vancouver. We figure we'd get a free boat ride out of the deal! Just like the train .. everyone just hopped on. Nowhere to check you actually PAID the fare. Do they just work on the honor system here?
We ride over to North Vancouver .. a 10-15 minute trip. Walk around the waterfront there .. find a bus and head back to our hotel .. just in time to catch the end of the presidential debates (and the beginning of So You Think You Can Dance Canada!).
5 kilometers away
Day 6
Today was an odd day. We did a lot (went to four different places) .. but they all involved the same area and were all literally just up the road a few kilometers (they use metric here) up the road or hotel is on.
So .. we hang a right .. go up the road a kilometer or two and bam - Capilano Suspension Bridge. This is simply a very long suspension bridge across a the Capilano River gorge. Once you get to the other side you wander around a lush temperate rain forest. Very beautiful views. The bridge was freaky. I felt like Indiana Jones in the Temple of Doom. It was high .. it swayed, but you felt pretty secure (it was made of cable, not frayed rope!). Originally the bridge was to help loggers get to the lush trees on the other side of the gorge. Now it is simply a tourist attraction.
After wandering around the treetops of trees to high to fathom and hundreds of years old, we drive up the road a bit more and we go to the Salmon Fish Hatchery just on the river.
Next up ... we reach the end of the road and go to Grouse Mountain. "The Peak of Vancouver". $37 bought us a trip on their gondola cable car up the mountain (about a mile up) .. in about 8 minutes. What a fabulous view of the city and the surrounding mountains and bays. Breathtaking.
We reach the top and walk around, but unfortunately most of the summer activities are closed as they prepare for the winter activities. So, a bit disappointing there wasn't more to do up there besides walk around, and watch two sets of movies. If it was summer, there would have been a lumberjack and bird show as well as a chance to use the zip lilnes. If it was winter, we could have gone skiing or snowshoeing.
We did learn that some people climb the mountain (2.9 km trail up) on purpose .. and time themselves. It's a big deal .. called the Grouse Grind. I'm glad we took the easy way up! :)
They did have two grizzly bears (Coola and Grinder) up there that now make their home in a large enclosure. They were rescued as cubs and permanently live on top of the mountain. Apparently (as we saw in the video) most abandoned grizzly bear cubs are simply killed. Zoos have too many bears and rehabilatating them to go back to the wild is often too costly. The enclosure on top of the mountain is an experiment to see if rehabilitating them this way (enclosed in a large area simply by electric fence) will work.
We spent a few hours on top of the mountain and head back down. They also have some timer wolves in capativity at the bottom. These wolves were rescued from movie studios who trained them for movies.
We head back down Capilano Road and hit the Cleveland Dam on the way back down. A free park to get a view of a dam that blocks off the river and makes a reservoir. The river supplies about 1/3 of the cities fresh water.
Today was an odd day. We did a lot (went to four different places) .. but they all involved the same area and were all literally just up the road a few kilometers (they use metric here) up the road or hotel is on.
So .. we hang a right .. go up the road a kilometer or two and bam - Capilano Suspension Bridge. This is simply a very long suspension bridge across a the Capilano River gorge. Once you get to the other side you wander around a lush temperate rain forest. Very beautiful views. The bridge was freaky. I felt like Indiana Jones in the Temple of Doom. It was high .. it swayed, but you felt pretty secure (it was made of cable, not frayed rope!). Originally the bridge was to help loggers get to the lush trees on the other side of the gorge. Now it is simply a tourist attraction.
After wandering around the treetops of trees to high to fathom and hundreds of years old, we drive up the road a bit more and we go to the Salmon Fish Hatchery just on the river.
Next up ... we reach the end of the road and go to Grouse Mountain. "The Peak of Vancouver". $37 bought us a trip on their gondola cable car up the mountain (about a mile up) .. in about 8 minutes. What a fabulous view of the city and the surrounding mountains and bays. Breathtaking.
We reach the top and walk around, but unfortunately most of the summer activities are closed as they prepare for the winter activities. So, a bit disappointing there wasn't more to do up there besides walk around, and watch two sets of movies. If it was summer, there would have been a lumberjack and bird show as well as a chance to use the zip lilnes. If it was winter, we could have gone skiing or snowshoeing.
We did learn that some people climb the mountain (2.9 km trail up) on purpose .. and time themselves. It's a big deal .. called the Grouse Grind. I'm glad we took the easy way up! :)
They did have two grizzly bears (Coola and Grinder) up there that now make their home in a large enclosure. They were rescued as cubs and permanently live on top of the mountain. Apparently (as we saw in the video) most abandoned grizzly bear cubs are simply killed. Zoos have too many bears and rehabilatating them to go back to the wild is often too costly. The enclosure on top of the mountain is an experiment to see if rehabilitating them this way (enclosed in a large area simply by electric fence) will work.
We spent a few hours on top of the mountain and head back down. They also have some timer wolves in capativity at the bottom. These wolves were rescued from movie studios who trained them for movies.
We head back down Capilano Road and hit the Cleveland Dam on the way back down. A free park to get a view of a dam that blocks off the river and makes a reservoir. The river supplies about 1/3 of the cities fresh water.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Canadia!
Day 5 -
Today was simple. Check out of the hotel, go to the Woodland Park Zoo only a few blocks away, then had up I-5 two hours to Canada and into Vancouver, B.C.
The Zoo was okay, nice little zoo, some really natural habitats, but as it was a cold rainy day, not much action was going on. A lot of bird exhibits at this zoo, but my favorite bird of all (the penguin) wasn't on display as they were redoing their new home.
The ride up north was easy, a bit rainy, but easy driving none-the-less.
The border crossing equally easy ... hand our passports over .. answer the standard questions (What are you doing here? How long will you be staying?) and drive on through. It was quicker than a Chicago toll stop.
Jen navigated me through downtown Vancouver (as the highway we are on goes THROUGH the city on normal city streets, not a freeway) and into North Vancouver where we found our hotel. (The North Vancouver Hotel)
This hotel is much nicer than the Travelodge and was easy to find. We get our bearings and later walk down the street to find dinner and found a quaint little Greek restaurant Kypriaki Taverna.
Quite delicious.
Now we decide what to do for the next few days
Today was simple. Check out of the hotel, go to the Woodland Park Zoo only a few blocks away, then had up I-5 two hours to Canada and into Vancouver, B.C.
The Zoo was okay, nice little zoo, some really natural habitats, but as it was a cold rainy day, not much action was going on. A lot of bird exhibits at this zoo, but my favorite bird of all (the penguin) wasn't on display as they were redoing their new home.
The ride up north was easy, a bit rainy, but easy driving none-the-less.
The border crossing equally easy ... hand our passports over .. answer the standard questions (What are you doing here? How long will you be staying?) and drive on through. It was quicker than a Chicago toll stop.
Jen navigated me through downtown Vancouver (as the highway we are on goes THROUGH the city on normal city streets, not a freeway) and into North Vancouver where we found our hotel. (The North Vancouver Hotel)
This hotel is much nicer than the Travelodge and was easy to find. We get our bearings and later walk down the street to find dinner and found a quaint little Greek restaurant Kypriaki Taverna.
Quite delicious.
Now we decide what to do for the next few days
Monday, October 13, 2008
Go Pack Go!
Sunday was the Packers/Seahawks game. Our plan was to bus downtown early, have some breakfast at Pike Place Market and then walk down to the game.
Well, as it was Sunday, the buses weren't running as much or in all the usual spots, so we ended up having to walk through the U of W campus (while some run/walk was going on!) and get to our usual spot on Campus Parkway. We had to run the last block to catch our bus.
On the bus and all over downtown .. Packer fans everywhere. Some were with Seattle fans, some were in large groups. Some were dressed in silly outfits. It was hilarious. I guess the Packers travel well.
We make it to Pike Place market around 10:30 a.m. and try and find Lowell's. A place within the market that apparently has an awesome breakfast and fantastic French Toast. We found it. It was packed. We waited in line and just made it in under the wire for breakfast. You wait in line, pay for your food, grab a number, and find a seat on their first or third level (which overlooks the port of Seattle!). We each had the Combo Breakfast .. Eggs, meat and 2 slices of French toast. Yummy. What a great Seattle experience. We topped it off by walking over to an Italian bakery to have some Zeppole (Italian donuts). We also found out the day before that the Starbucks in the market was indeed the FIRST one. They still have the old logo up: http://www.deadprogrammer.com/starbucks-logo-mermaid
Now the hike to the stadium, didn't take long and as we got closer, bars were overflowing with fans of both teams. Packer fans would high five us, Seattle fans would taunt us.
We get to the game, find out seats. What a great stadium. Despite being in the upper deck our seats were actually pretty good. Surrounded by both fans! During the game the guy in front of us (a Packer fan) was drinking heavily. He got entertaining as the game went on, unfortunately he felt the need to stand up for EVERY play in front of Jen.).
An iffy first half, and a dominating second half, the Pack wins 27-17.
We end up walking back and decide to have dinner at an Indian place that Jenny found a brochure for. Unfortunately it was across town near the Space Needle and Key Arena.
It was a nice day, so the walk was fine.
A great Indian dinner, a walk back downtown and waiting for a 71-73 bus to take us back to the University. No problems there as we had a day pass (only $3.50).
A long day, a lot of walking, but a great feel for the city on a nice day!
Well, as it was Sunday, the buses weren't running as much or in all the usual spots, so we ended up having to walk through the U of W campus (while some run/walk was going on!) and get to our usual spot on Campus Parkway. We had to run the last block to catch our bus.
On the bus and all over downtown .. Packer fans everywhere. Some were with Seattle fans, some were in large groups. Some were dressed in silly outfits. It was hilarious. I guess the Packers travel well.
We make it to Pike Place market around 10:30 a.m. and try and find Lowell's. A place within the market that apparently has an awesome breakfast and fantastic French Toast. We found it. It was packed. We waited in line and just made it in under the wire for breakfast. You wait in line, pay for your food, grab a number, and find a seat on their first or third level (which overlooks the port of Seattle!). We each had the Combo Breakfast .. Eggs, meat and 2 slices of French toast. Yummy. What a great Seattle experience. We topped it off by walking over to an Italian bakery to have some Zeppole (Italian donuts). We also found out the day before that the Starbucks in the market was indeed the FIRST one. They still have the old logo up: http://www.deadprogrammer.com/starbucks-logo-mermaid
Now the hike to the stadium, didn't take long and as we got closer, bars were overflowing with fans of both teams. Packer fans would high five us, Seattle fans would taunt us.
We get to the game, find out seats. What a great stadium. Despite being in the upper deck our seats were actually pretty good. Surrounded by both fans! During the game the guy in front of us (a Packer fan) was drinking heavily. He got entertaining as the game went on, unfortunately he felt the need to stand up for EVERY play in front of Jen.).
An iffy first half, and a dominating second half, the Pack wins 27-17.
We end up walking back and decide to have dinner at an Indian place that Jenny found a brochure for. Unfortunately it was across town near the Space Needle and Key Arena.
It was a nice day, so the walk was fine.
A great Indian dinner, a walk back downtown and waiting for a 71-73 bus to take us back to the University. No problems there as we had a day pass (only $3.50).
A long day, a lot of walking, but a great feel for the city on a nice day!
"Falling" for Seattle
Saturday was a more relaxed day.
We went to Snoqualmie Falls. A great falls east of Seattle about 25 miles. There was a nice park near it and you could get views of the falls from the top, then hike down to the bottom to get a great view there.
We spent a few hours there, hiked around the nearby forest as well and had plans to go visit Jen's uncle Jeff who lived a few miles away in North Bend.
On the way there I had to stop to briefly stop at the Northwest Railway Museum for my dad.
We got to their house, a beautiful house literally at the bottom of a mountain (there back yard was a rock wall sloping upward). They showed us photos of all sorts of woodland creatures that called their yard home ---- deer, elk, and bear!
A nice afternoon of chatting, snacks, Jen's cousin Nick and his girlfriend Helen stopped by. We then went out to dinner. A nice dinner at a local restaurant. Had way too much too eat and drink!
A fun evening and we head back to our home away from home .. the Travellodge. Finally getting to know the area now.
We went to Snoqualmie Falls. A great falls east of Seattle about 25 miles. There was a nice park near it and you could get views of the falls from the top, then hike down to the bottom to get a great view there.
We spent a few hours there, hiked around the nearby forest as well and had plans to go visit Jen's uncle Jeff who lived a few miles away in North Bend.
On the way there I had to stop to briefly stop at the Northwest Railway Museum for my dad.
We got to their house, a beautiful house literally at the bottom of a mountain (there back yard was a rock wall sloping upward). They showed us photos of all sorts of woodland creatures that called their yard home ---- deer, elk, and bear!
A nice afternoon of chatting, snacks, Jen's cousin Nick and his girlfriend Helen stopped by. We then went out to dinner. A nice dinner at a local restaurant. Had way too much too eat and drink!
A fun evening and we head back to our home away from home .. the Travellodge. Finally getting to know the area now.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
10 yards from a bear - a lucky day.
Day 2 - Mt. Rainier
Today was all about Mt. Rainier. Driving to the southern end of a snow-capped Volcano in October doesn't seem pleasant, but it was!
So a 2 1/2 -3 hour drive south of Seattle. On the way in Elbe (just 30 miles west of the park) we see bunch of cabooses that are used for a hotel. Dad would have loved that... they also had a restaurant.
Eventually we hit the park entrance. $15.00 per vehicle. Seems a bit steep at first, but not once you see the mountain.
Then began the winding drive up the mountain. Not too bad actually as we aren't going UP the main part of the mountain but to a basecamp called "Paradise" that is well south (and down) from the snow-capped peaks.
First stop is Longmire where there is a small museum and inn for anyone who wants to stay there. An old pumping station there marks where drivers used to be able to get gas for the drive up.
Another few miles and we stop along the roadside for pictures of falls. Jenny loves falls, so we stopped at Christine Falls and Narada Falls, both just a short hike from the road. Nothing like a misty waterfall to really put the chill in you. The coats, hats and gloves came out at this point.
As we travelled higher the trees all had snow on them. It was very odd going from non-snow-covered trees to snow covered trees and being able to see your breath. On one of our stops we were talking with a woman who told us today was the grand opening of the brand new visitor center. What luck!
Jenny says "I wonder if there will be cake?" I laugh. She is always thinking of food.
We make it to Paradise at about 1:30 in the afternoon (after passing the old Visitor Center which looks like a flying saucer). As expected parking is horrendous, but we find a spot off the beaten path. We hike up to the visitor center. It is much more rustic looking. A tall alphine looking wooden building.
We go inside and it is packed with park rangers, government officials and someone dressed like Teddy Roosevelt (as well as normal visitors). It looks like they are going to be starting the official ceremonies, so we hike up the mountain.
A park ranger suggested an easy trail .. (maybe thinking we are out of shape just by looking at us?). We take they Myrtle Falls trail .. well you know why. We walk past a park ranger who asks us if we are going "Bear Hunting". We laugh and say no, but he says there are bear sightings up ahead! Jen starts freakin' out, but I think the idea is cool.
We hit the falls, and on a hillside (probably about 1/2 mile away) is a brown bear foraging for berries. Just practically a spec. We decided to walk on a trail past the falls, muddy, steep, but a nice view of the majestic peaks (whenever the clouds coopeerate). A ways up some guy says "Hey there are marmuts just over the hill by the creek." Well after that news we were hooked into finishing the climb. and what a climb it was .. a gradual incline but we made it to the top huffing and puffing. But sure enough .. right by the creek two marmuts (mammals .. like giant guinea pigs with red busy tails) were playing. Up here we were above the fog, it was sunnier, warmer (oddly) and beautiful.
Back down the hill, take a break on a bench and eat some sandwiches we brought.
Back up another trail hoping to see more waterfalls, but no such luck. But luck was still on our side as we end up taking the trail that was ABOVE the bear on the hill. We pass some people and they say the bear is just up ahead. He has climbed the hill, crossed the path and is just over the ridge. We get to a intersection of paths and sure enough. There is the young bear ...
10 yards away ..
Ten yards away from a real live bear and NOT in a zoo. Just weird. Especially with the coldness of the air (we weren't really cold anymore after hiking around), the snowy peaks in the distance. It was quite surreal.
Back down the trail (going down steep trails is worse than going up sometimes) and back to the Visitor's Center. It looks like the festivaties had ended (it was now around 4:30) ... and guess what ...
There was cake .... :)
What a lucky day.
Today was all about Mt. Rainier. Driving to the southern end of a snow-capped Volcano in October doesn't seem pleasant, but it was!
So a 2 1/2 -3 hour drive south of Seattle. On the way in Elbe (just 30 miles west of the park) we see bunch of cabooses that are used for a hotel. Dad would have loved that... they also had a restaurant.
Eventually we hit the park entrance. $15.00 per vehicle. Seems a bit steep at first, but not once you see the mountain.
Then began the winding drive up the mountain. Not too bad actually as we aren't going UP the main part of the mountain but to a basecamp called "Paradise" that is well south (and down) from the snow-capped peaks.
First stop is Longmire where there is a small museum and inn for anyone who wants to stay there. An old pumping station there marks where drivers used to be able to get gas for the drive up.
Another few miles and we stop along the roadside for pictures of falls. Jenny loves falls, so we stopped at Christine Falls and Narada Falls, both just a short hike from the road. Nothing like a misty waterfall to really put the chill in you. The coats, hats and gloves came out at this point.
As we travelled higher the trees all had snow on them. It was very odd going from non-snow-covered trees to snow covered trees and being able to see your breath. On one of our stops we were talking with a woman who told us today was the grand opening of the brand new visitor center. What luck!
Jenny says "I wonder if there will be cake?" I laugh. She is always thinking of food.
We make it to Paradise at about 1:30 in the afternoon (after passing the old Visitor Center which looks like a flying saucer). As expected parking is horrendous, but we find a spot off the beaten path. We hike up to the visitor center. It is much more rustic looking. A tall alphine looking wooden building.
We go inside and it is packed with park rangers, government officials and someone dressed like Teddy Roosevelt (as well as normal visitors). It looks like they are going to be starting the official ceremonies, so we hike up the mountain.
A park ranger suggested an easy trail .. (maybe thinking we are out of shape just by looking at us?). We take they Myrtle Falls trail .. well you know why. We walk past a park ranger who asks us if we are going "Bear Hunting". We laugh and say no, but he says there are bear sightings up ahead! Jen starts freakin' out, but I think the idea is cool.
We hit the falls, and on a hillside (probably about 1/2 mile away) is a brown bear foraging for berries. Just practically a spec. We decided to walk on a trail past the falls, muddy, steep, but a nice view of the majestic peaks (whenever the clouds coopeerate). A ways up some guy says "Hey there are marmuts just over the hill by the creek." Well after that news we were hooked into finishing the climb. and what a climb it was .. a gradual incline but we made it to the top huffing and puffing. But sure enough .. right by the creek two marmuts (mammals .. like giant guinea pigs with red busy tails) were playing. Up here we were above the fog, it was sunnier, warmer (oddly) and beautiful.
Back down the hill, take a break on a bench and eat some sandwiches we brought.
Back up another trail hoping to see more waterfalls, but no such luck. But luck was still on our side as we end up taking the trail that was ABOVE the bear on the hill. We pass some people and they say the bear is just up ahead. He has climbed the hill, crossed the path and is just over the ridge. We get to a intersection of paths and sure enough. There is the young bear ...
10 yards away ..
Ten yards away from a real live bear and NOT in a zoo. Just weird. Especially with the coldness of the air (we weren't really cold anymore after hiking around), the snowy peaks in the distance. It was quite surreal.
Back down the trail (going down steep trails is worse than going up sometimes) and back to the Visitor's Center. It looks like the festivaties had ended (it was now around 4:30) ... and guess what ...
There was cake .... :)
What a lucky day.
Seattle is for the Dogs
Day 1 of the Seattle/Vancouver trip.
We took the bus system. What a great public transportation system. $1.50 for pretty much any trip right downtown. Tons of buses everywhere you look and once you get downtown the buses are free for all.
First we went to Pike Place Market. Wow. It felt like I was in a foreign city. What great open air market ... the sights .. the smells .. almost overwhelming. A quick snack of cinnamon roll and coffee and a quick stroll up and down the street.
Next, we went down to Pioneer Square to see the Underground Tour recommended from a friend.
What a great tour. Great history lesson on the founding of the city and very entertaining tour guides.
Back down to Pike Place Market for a quick snack at Beechers (where they make cheese right there) and then off to find the Monorail. I kept thinking of the Simpons episode (which Jen had never seen).
Up a few blocks (the downtown area is not that large, easily walkable) .. on the way there Jen noticed a shop selling hot chocolate .. made not from powder, but melted chocolate .. something told me we would have to stop later. We hit the monorail ($4.00 round trip) to get to the Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is). A fun ride, but a bus ride would have been cheaper.
So Seattle Center is just a big tourist area (where the World's Fair was set up in the past) .. the Space Needle ($16.00 to ride it up? No thanks) .. a music and Sci-fi museum .. a mini amusement park (not in action in October) a food court and children's museum.
We ended the day .. walking in the rain (shocking) to the pier area where we had fish dinner and think we saw some sort of sea creature swimming around Elliot Bay. Also watched the ferries come in and out through the fog.
So .. through our walking through the streets .. noticed that Seattle is very dog friendly ... everyone had a dog it seemed. Downtown .. just odd.
Starbucks seen -> 8
We took the bus system. What a great public transportation system. $1.50 for pretty much any trip right downtown. Tons of buses everywhere you look and once you get downtown the buses are free for all.
First we went to Pike Place Market. Wow. It felt like I was in a foreign city. What great open air market ... the sights .. the smells .. almost overwhelming. A quick snack of cinnamon roll and coffee and a quick stroll up and down the street.
Next, we went down to Pioneer Square to see the Underground Tour recommended from a friend.
What a great tour. Great history lesson on the founding of the city and very entertaining tour guides.
Back down to Pike Place Market for a quick snack at Beechers (where they make cheese right there) and then off to find the Monorail. I kept thinking of the Simpons episode (which Jen had never seen).
Up a few blocks (the downtown area is not that large, easily walkable) .. on the way there Jen noticed a shop selling hot chocolate .. made not from powder, but melted chocolate .. something told me we would have to stop later. We hit the monorail ($4.00 round trip) to get to the Seattle Center (where the Space Needle is). A fun ride, but a bus ride would have been cheaper.
So Seattle Center is just a big tourist area (where the World's Fair was set up in the past) .. the Space Needle ($16.00 to ride it up? No thanks) .. a music and Sci-fi museum .. a mini amusement park (not in action in October) a food court and children's museum.
We ended the day .. walking in the rain (shocking) to the pier area where we had fish dinner and think we saw some sort of sea creature swimming around Elliot Bay. Also watched the ferries come in and out through the fog.
So .. through our walking through the streets .. noticed that Seattle is very dog friendly ... everyone had a dog it seemed. Downtown .. just odd.
Starbucks seen -> 8
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