Old Stomping Grounds - Near the End: Spokane, WA to Seattle, WA
I-90 from Spokane to Seattle
Between Spokane and the Cascade Mountains lie high rolling plains, lakes, and vast farms growing potatoes, wheat, and rapeseed. Bright yellow blossoms cover acres contrasting to a bright blue sky. Off in the distance white capped mountains can be seen - a promise of things yet to come. As I neared the mountains, a strong cross-wind was blowing me around quite a bit. Ascending the cascades, the hills were cutting off the ferosity of the winds. Overcast and cooler now, the traffic increased as I approached Snoqualmie Pass - that would descend into Seattle. My motorcycle challenge almost at an end - victory was only about 20 miles away.
It was Saturday so I had hoped for less traffic. The stress of coming into Seattle, through tunnels and highway configurations that did everything it could to make sure that I missed the correct exit. Once off the freeway, I had to contend with steep hills and trolley tracks that can be tricky for motorcyclists. I finally arrived at my son's condo on Capital Hill. I had wracked up 4628 miles on this trip. Was looking forward to hanging up the bike for 2 days while Jason, Valarie (Jason's SO), and I walked the streets of Seattle.
I hit Seattle on one of the busiest weekends of the year: gay pride weekend was in full swing with block parties everywhere were bellowing out loud sustained drum beats over loudspeakers. The sky was blue and Mt. Rainier, almost all white from snow, kept vigil over the festivities. Mt. Tahoma, the original Puyallup Indian name for Mt. Rainier, is simply awesome - and dangerous (on the potentially active volcano list).
I had lived in this area for 3 years during law school. Massive evergreens, and the snow/ice covered mountain, contrasts with Puget Sound - an enormous body of water in which the Port of Seattle serves as an import/export shipping industry. Fishing disputes, which have erupted on the Sound, between the Indians and the White fishermen, continue to this day: treaty rights vs. the livelihood of the tribes and the intruders at stake. This area is known for wild caught fish, bright fresh vegetables from Yakima,, and Starbucks.
What really hit me in Seattle was the age demographic of its citizens. The young far outnumber the retired. Seattle, and Vancouver, are heavily populated by Asians. Val and I went to Dough-Zone - a dumplings restaurant that was fantastic. We traveled to the International area of Seattle via a new underground light rail system. The train was packed - I was easily the oldest person there.
I hung out at Jason's bicycle shop called Good Weather Bicycle & Cafe. Talked with the regulars as Jason worked on customer's bikes. Back at his condo, I crashed early on the couch. They could not wake me up - so they insisted.
Tomorrow, we will visit the street parties, and have a walking tour as we eat through the town. At night we will play Jackbox.tv games through his play station. You need three people to play those games - and they are really fun. If you don't know about these games, you should look into them.
Between Spokane and the Cascade Mountains lie high rolling plains, lakes, and vast farms growing potatoes, wheat, and rapeseed. Bright yellow blossoms cover acres contrasting to a bright blue sky. Off in the distance white capped mountains can be seen - a promise of things yet to come. As I neared the mountains, a strong cross-wind was blowing me around quite a bit. Ascending the cascades, the hills were cutting off the ferosity of the winds. Overcast and cooler now, the traffic increased as I approached Snoqualmie Pass - that would descend into Seattle. My motorcycle challenge almost at an end - victory was only about 20 miles away.
It was Saturday so I had hoped for less traffic. The stress of coming into Seattle, through tunnels and highway configurations that did everything it could to make sure that I missed the correct exit. Once off the freeway, I had to contend with steep hills and trolley tracks that can be tricky for motorcyclists. I finally arrived at my son's condo on Capital Hill. I had wracked up 4628 miles on this trip. Was looking forward to hanging up the bike for 2 days while Jason, Valarie (Jason's SO), and I walked the streets of Seattle.
I hit Seattle on one of the busiest weekends of the year: gay pride weekend was in full swing with block parties everywhere were bellowing out loud sustained drum beats over loudspeakers. The sky was blue and Mt. Rainier, almost all white from snow, kept vigil over the festivities. Mt. Tahoma, the original Puyallup Indian name for Mt. Rainier, is simply awesome - and dangerous (on the potentially active volcano list).
I had lived in this area for 3 years during law school. Massive evergreens, and the snow/ice covered mountain, contrasts with Puget Sound - an enormous body of water in which the Port of Seattle serves as an import/export shipping industry. Fishing disputes, which have erupted on the Sound, between the Indians and the White fishermen, continue to this day: treaty rights vs. the livelihood of the tribes and the intruders at stake. This area is known for wild caught fish, bright fresh vegetables from Yakima,, and Starbucks.
What really hit me in Seattle was the age demographic of its citizens. The young far outnumber the retired. Seattle, and Vancouver, are heavily populated by Asians. Val and I went to Dough-Zone - a dumplings restaurant that was fantastic. We traveled to the International area of Seattle via a new underground light rail system. The train was packed - I was easily the oldest person there.
I hung out at Jason's bicycle shop called Good Weather Bicycle & Cafe. Talked with the regulars as Jason worked on customer's bikes. Back at his condo, I crashed early on the couch. They could not wake me up - so they insisted.
Tomorrow, we will visit the street parties, and have a walking tour as we eat through the town. At night we will play Jackbox.tv games through his play station. You need three people to play those games - and they are really fun. If you don't know about these games, you should look into them.
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