I guess I just can’t do that anymore

The train ride was pure joy. Happy kids running up and down the car; food in the dining car, gorgeous views and no delays, the ride was the way I had hoped it’d be.

After 3 ½ hours, the train finally reached King Street station, right by CenturyLink Field, where the Seattle Sounders were playing the Vancouver Whitecaps. The streets were packed with soccer fans, and traffic was a clusterfork (thanks, Kristine Bell), so I skipped figuring out the transportation system and walked away from the chaos to call an Uber. It dropped me off at a two-story house turned hostel. Here’s where “I guess I just can’t do that anymore” comes in. I’d booked a convenient Airbnb, but it was only available for one night, so I thought a hostel might be a fun, temporary option. Maybe I’d meet fellow travelers with cool Seattle tips. But when I saw the room—three bunk beds, mine right next to the door or awkwardly near someone’s feet—I reconsidered. The hostel was full, and as I sat down, I pictured how my snoring might ruin everyone’s night, including mine. In minutes, I booked a hotel, apologized to the manager, and left. The hotel was affordable, conveniently located, and best of all, had a great view!

After a quick shower and a change of clothes, I ventured out to grab some grub and realized how close I really was to the space needle. Again, it’s just mind blowing to be so close to these landmarks you see in tv shows and/or movies!!

Hello Seattle

After a worry-free good night sleep, I stepped out to grab some breakfast and ended up at Citizen Coffee Creperie. It was an exciting day, not only because I was about to explore Seattle but also because my brother and lovely sister-in-law were driving down from Vancouver! I finished my breakfast and they arrived within the hour. I checked out from the hotel, checked into my airbnb and headed out to walk Seattle. The airbnb was steps away from Olympic Sculpture Park, so we decided to start there and make our way to Pikes Place Market.

We walked down the Alaskan way and passed by some piers, restaurants, the Aquarium and reached the Seattle Great Wheel where we took some pictures and enjoyed the view.

We crossed the street and climbed the stairs to reach Pike Place Market. On our way there, we stopped by the gum wall… disgusting but so interesting! Spit and germs from all over the world.

We kept walking and reached the market; it was busy as fork! Confused and excited tourists taking pictures at where they thought the first Starbucks is located (we discovered it’s a couple of blocks down, we’re also excited and confused tourists), people looking for the cast of Grey’s Anatomy (oh Derek), people heading down to the piers or the gum wall or the market or just passing by, such a vibrant place

We walked away from the crowd and found a nice kinda-quiet bar where we sat and grab some beers. After an hour or so, we were ready and started walking. We reached Occidental Square where we found Totem poles. It wasn’t my first time seeing one but still, you can only stop and appreciate the hard work the artist puts in what he crafts. We walked around Pioneer square and slowly started to make our way back to Olympic Sculpture Park where we had left the car parked. It was time for them to head back to Oh Canada, and although saying goodbye can be sad, I was glad I got the chance to see them, and after all, this was only a “see you later”.

Alki Beach

The next day, I walked to downtown and took a ferry to Alki beach. If you have a good camera and looking for a good spot to capture the city skyline, this ride might be what you’re after

Of course, you can get a steadier take once you’ve reached land:

I walked along the Alki trail and spotted a cute lighthouse and... the Statue of Liberty? Yep, a replica installed by the Boy Scouts of America in 1952. The weather was perfect, so I looked for a nap spot. Just as I settled in, people started setting up volleyball nets—bingo! But no, it was a league. So, I decided it was beer o’clock and headed to Blue Moon Burgers. I sipped my beer and people-watched from the terrace for about 45 minutes before I was ready to catch the ferry and get some rest. I’d seen rental bikes around and thought biking to the dock would be fun. I downloaded the app, got the bike, but it was making an incredibly annoying noise—something with the front wheel and brakes. I ditched the bike, realizing I’d miss the ferry if I walked. Not the end of the world, but I was ready to crash, so I grabbed an Uber and made it just in time.

Rain, rain, go away!

The next day, I woke up to the sound of rain - my favorite, except when I want to explore a new city! This was the best time to check the Chihuly Garden and glass museum. “It’s $32 for the Chihuly or $59 for Chihuly and the space needle” said the person at the counter. Mmmm decisions, decisions, decisions… <when you go out for dinner, do you ever save the best for last? I used to do that as a kid and still do it. I also do it when I’m travelling, but instead of food, I like to leave some landmarks unexplored for future me, to always find an excuse to come back>. “I’ll stick with just the Chihuly please, thanks”.

There was one piece I immediately recognized; It was a striking piece, a piece I had seen before, I piece that’s in the Boston’s MFA. I was so happy!

The rain kept coming down hard and I had to accept that I’d be doing indoor things that day. Fortunately, the Museum of Pop Culture was literally around the corner. I walked into the museum and spotted Wolfgang Puck’s Culture Kitchen. I sat and devour a pizza. I was ready for the MoPop!

Come as you are (sorry, I couldn't resist)

Yes, there was a Nirvana exposition and yes, I spent around an hour, looking at the records, appreciating Kris Novoselic’s contribution to the exhibition and walking around it. I knew beforehand that Seattle was where Grunge originated, but after seeing Nirvana's and also Pearl Jam’s exhibitions, I understood way better why grunge is grunge. There was also a Prince exhibition and a game exhibition, needless you say, I checked the whole damn museum!

Ok! So, I checked the whole museum, and finally the rain starts to lessen, but the weather is still not great to walk around and it’s getting dark, so what do you do? I guess go to the movies.

While heading to the movie theater, I spotted a magnificent structure called The Sphere

There’s a restaurant inside called Willmott’s Ghost; “I’ll definitely check it next time, along with the space needle, for sure!”. I made it to the movie theater and of course, I was famished after the movie. I decided to walk all the way back to the area where I was staying and stop by Dick’s. Apparently, the menu hasn’t changed much ever since they opened, and the prices are very reasonable. To me, Dick’s is for Seattle what IN-N-OUT is for California (hihi, Dick’s…).

Lake Union

I asked around and found out that the 4th of July fireworks usually take place on Lake Union. The best places to enjoy them seem to be in Lake Union park or Gas Works Park. I started walking and reached Kerry Park where I wished I have had a better camera to capture the view

After a quick photo session, I kept walking through steep hills and gorgeous neighborhoods until I finally reached the lake, from which you can also spot Gas Works Park :

I walked around the park and luckily food trucks were there. I found a seafood truck that had mushroom risotto and fried scallops, yum!!! Grabbed my lunch and sat down at the park where some teenagers where jumping from a bridge into the water. “Ah, the careless summer life, I wonder what’s going through their heads right now, other than fun”, damn, teenage times were a long time ago. After reminiscing for a bit, I decided to walk back to down and check the Smith’s Tower. The building has the same elevator ever since its opening in 1914. The tower is full of history and one particular story I liked had to do with the prohibition times and how Roy Olmstead and his wife Elise had a radio show. Elise would read bedtime stories, but in reality, the stories were coded messages, how boss is that, if it were to be true? It’s just a rumor.

There’s a room with a typewriter and you can use it to create your own story using a draft they provide you with at the entrance. You have to think very hard so that the story makes sense. Of course, that was no challenge for me

Once you hop in and exit the elevator, you’ll walk into the bar, which offers a 360° view, so you might as well get a drink and enjoy the view

Duck tour

When you’re a tourist, you do all the touristy things, of course! Well, I did the duck tour. And I had to laugh because I live in Boston and have never done it. The tour takes you around the city and then goes into Lake Union, where you can spot the Sleepless in Seattle’s boathouse as well as other cute boathouses and a closer view to the Gas Works Park.

Seattle Art Museum

My time in Seattle was coming to an end, but before leaving I stopped by the art museum. It’s very easy to find it since the Hammering Man is at the entrance. The man represents the working men and women from all over the world. The Hammering man only “rests” during labor day, otherwise, you’ll see him hammering 20 hours a day every day.

I went in and found out that that day the admission was for free, lucky me, whoop! I walked around and I must say that one particular piece captured my attention: Mann und Maus.

I’ll let you google the story behind the sculpture, but I can tell you, in my opinion, it captured what the artist intended to; what can cause more anxiety that something associated with the plague?

After exiting the museum, I stopped by The Pike Brewing Company for a quick beer and then walked around to grab some lunch… Sushi happy hour, ah!!! Best day ever!
With a full stomach, it was time for me to head to the airport and say bye to Seattle, I'll definitely be back!Thanks for being an inspiration Carloti la alemana más maja
With this entry I conclude my adventures on the West Coast. Thanks to everybody who opened their house and/or schedule to host me or to meet up with me for a drink or dinner. Thanks to the wonderful Favorite Places travel blog and all the other blogs that inspired me to travel and that laid down a path for others to follow. And finally, thank you for reading this and my other blog entries, I hope you enjoyed them and also that you’ve been bitten by the travel bug.

<Keep traveling!>

West Coasting Part IV