Reverse Commute

I leave for work so early that Starbucks is closed when I walk by :/ But since this is Seattle, I found another Starbucks on my walk to Westlake Station that opens at 5:30am. 

No Plastic

Apparently it is illegal for stores to pack purchases in plastic bags. There are only paper bags around here, which is slightly annoying at times (for example, a heavy bike lock) but ultimately good, I know. Guess I'm going to have to start buying small plastic garbage bags for waste cans now. 

Bacon

Peppered bacon.

It just changed my life. It should be illegal for bacon to taste this good. I am not a big bacon person. Typically, I'll get it if it comes with my meal (like at IHOP) and usually I'll take a bite or two. But this afternoon I stumbled into this great sandwich shop called Bear and the Bee and had a BLATO. I was too hungry to pause for a photo, sorry! 

Football

My new football team is doing very well :) 

Deep Thought

Do I have enough piercings to live in belltown?

Getting Creative at SBUX

Starbucks barista hadn't heard of it but went with my order anyway.

Dirty Dalmation 

Vanilla Bean frappuccino with Java chips and a shot of espresso. 

Rocco Says Hi

He is pretty chill about it all

Branching Out

New England Clam Chowder with a Dungeness Crab Roll + root beer of course

It is really, really good.

Western Cedar

You can actually smell the Western Cedar trees when you walk by them. It's super-nice.

People

The people here are so nice. Really. I mean, there are still crazy people who curse and bitch openly on the street. There just seems to be a collective understanding that being nice is just a healthier existence. 

Place to Live...Check

I secured an apartment! Move-in is the first week in September. 

The Umbrella Store

Of course Seattle has an umbrella store! Actually, did you know that New York gets more annual rainfall than Seattle? Seattle has more overcast days. 

So I went into the umbrella store to see if they carry Senz umbrellas. I used to have a Senz that I bought in Amsterdam, but it was stolen last year. I haven't been able to find the exact model online.

The woman at the store said she does carry Senz, but they only have the large golf-size umbrellas at the moment. But she totally knows how awesome they are because they resist winds up to 50 mph. We agreed that Senz needs to do some major marketing in the US because they don't have any competitors and would do really well. Imagine: "The official umbrella of Seattle" or "The official umbrella of New York." Tourists would buy them because they would think, "Well if this works great here in Seattle, then I just have to have it back home!" It would also be easy to hand out coupons or cards in the bustling pike place market area to promote brand awareness.

I gave the salesperson my contact info because they are going to special order the model I want. Rainy season starts in November. 

Just to Make Life a Little Easier

Apparently you can bring dogs into coffee shops. 

Ellenos Withdrawal

It has been two days and I am itching for some Ellenos yogurt. Maybe lemon Streudel? 

Well, you know where I will be tomorrow morning!

Weather

The weather here is unpredictable because it is in a convergence zone. Apparently it drives meteorologists crazy. Guess it is going to make for a challenging hobby for me! Also, there are very few thunderstorms (bummer) and obviously no hurricanes (again, bummer).

However!

Everyone here keeps talking about earthquakes. What to do if there is one, the last time they "felt a big one," predictions of a big one coming, and the fear that Mt Rainier will blow just like Mt St Helens. Guess I better go study fault lines.

The Usefulness of Google

Google is great for figuring out the public transportation system. It provides three different options for buses and shows you the route on the map. Also, you can refill money on your Orca card online without having to go to a machine. I am old enough to still be amazed by this technology!

I have an interview in Capitol Hill today so I am going to explore the area a bit. Aka hunt for strong coffee.

Getting Real at the Whole Foods

The whole foods near me has a very large wine section that rivals any stand-alone store. There are also a few refrigerator sections of chilled wines. I perused the little South African section to find this, which I partially picked because of the label:

Not as smokey as I had hoped. The quest continues. 

Holy Sh*t Clam Chowder

I waited in line for 45 minutes to get what is supposed to be the best New England clam chowder (it won all sorts of awards).

It is amazingly delcious. Ridiculously good.

Also, I'm noticing a "I must drink root beer with my chowder" trend...

Overhangs

Gotta appreciate all of the overhangs around town for those surprise rain attacks! Seriously, they are on every commercial building.

Culinary Addiction

My new culinary addiction:

Ellenos Greek yogurt.

Their stall at Pike Place Market is only a ten minute walk away.

Lemon Curd & Marionberry Streudel!

Time Zones

I actually kind of like being three hours behind all of my east coast people. It is sort of like living my night owl dream. I get to watch all those TV movies that come on at 2am ET! 

Sushi

Given its proximity to Japan one would think there would be more sushi restaurants in Seattle :/

Lots of ohla this and that Hawaiian, though! 

First Laundry

I'm existing with only enough clothing to fit into a carry-on suitcase. This makes for an easy laundry day.

The machines are brand new and not at all like the dingy, old, industrial machines at the laundry on Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn. Also, it was only $3 to wash and dry a load of laundry and, if I wanted to, I could swipe a credit card on the machine itself. If I was feeling extra techie, I could even scan a QR code to get a text when my laundry finishes. 

Back in NYC I found it worthwhile to send my laundry out. Sure, I had to write out instructions each time because of all my hang dry items, but it was the most stress-free option. Socks went missing every now and then. Two weeks of laundry cost about $30 including delivery tips. 

This is just one little slice of life that makes Seattle a much more pleasant place to live than NYC. 

Breakfast

Ellenos lemon curd yogurt and Bedlam coffee. Yum.

The Bike

I am really glad I didn't end up selling my bike. It's a Japanese road bike that fits my 5'2 frame very well. Right now it is resting in my storage unit downtown with a new chain lock (the guys at the bike store said it would be good enough, but I'm a little weary of only having one lock even though it will wrap around both wheels). 

It took me about 8 years to work up the courage to bike in NYC. (Thank you, Amsterdam!!) And in NYC I knew the streets, Now, in Seattle, I barely know which streets go where and which direction they run in and, oh, the hills. 

I'm currently working in deciphering my new Seattle bike map. The design is pretty good... Light colors with small type that <stopping myself here!>

So now I have to decide where to bike to.,, discovery park? Lake union? Along Elliot Bay? And what the hell is a "sharrow"? 

Ahhhhhh!

Uh-oh

I think I am addicted to bread bowl clam chowder... 

Hotel Life

So I am living in a hotel for a month and it is certainly an interesting experience. It is nice having a place to call home immediately upon arrival. I'm also in the middle of Belltown with the best of Seattle at my fingertips: Olympic Sculpture Park, the waterfront, Whole

foods, storage unit, pike place market are all within a fifteen-minute walk. There are a ton of bus lines on 3rd Avenue as well. The wifi at the hotel hasn't been working far in my corner of the building (you can tell which rooms are designated for people with pets). I have had to go to the lobby to use the internet, as I am looking for a job in earnest and need the WWW to do so. 

My inner New Yorker loves to walk, but I know at some point I'm going to need a gym. Within a block are a cross fit studio, a barre studio, and a dance studio. There is bikram yoga up the street. I miss Speedball a whole lot :(

Yesterday I found a bike store and picked up a chain and helmet. I was going to get a U-lock and extra loop cord for my back wheel+frame and front wheel. But the guy at the store explained the benefits of the combination lock chain and how a lot of people in Seattle use this type of lock. I told him that in NYC you need three locks for a bike. He laughed. 

Seattle Waterfront

The waterfront is one of the main reasons on why I moved here. I love the crisp, fresh air, sea smell and boardwalk liveliness (hat tip to the jersey shore... Wish they had a kohrs here). 

I went on the great wheel on my first visit here a couple years ago. It was really cool to be so high up and see the city from a new angle. I actually liked it better than the space needle.

Now off to get some chowder...

Fun in the Park

Today Rocco and I met a man who was strolling with two Egyptian cats. They both were a beautiful gray color with black spots. One was on a leash with a bungee cord. The owner said that they act like dogs and I said, hey my dog acts like a cat!

Rocco in Olympic Sculpture Park

With the Richard Serra installation in the background.

Rocco in Seattle

Lunch

Celebrating My Arrival in Seattle

With a local wine!

Back In the Middle of Washington

Stopped for a scenic view of a canyon. With the 90-degree heat and smell of the coniferous fires burning to the north, it feels like a pleasant cedar sauna. 

Side Notes

David Sedaris is a great audiobook companion on long drives.

Driving through Pennsylvania felt much longer than driving through Montana even though Montana is much larger. Why is that?

There should be a super highway that goes over and bypasses completely Ohio, Illinois, Indiana. 

Chicago needs to get its roadways in order.

Washington is one of the most beautiful states to drive through end to end.

Always drive on the left side of big tractor trailer trucks. I saw one that had on the back two arrows. One pointed to the left and was labeled "pass side" and one pointed to right and was labeled "suicide." Good advice.

At first I thought whoa, 65 mph (in NJ) is fast! Let me get in the center lane. Then by Wyoming I thought, 80 mph is fun in desolate landscapes. And finally, in eastern Washington, I thought, 75 mph feels so slow!

Musings

Driving across the country is fun. Before I left someone told me, "I don't think you realize just how big this country is, Nat."

Yes, it is pretty big and certainly awe-inspiring. But driving across the country also has imparted a feeling that this country isn't so big. I can drive from one side to another. There is a visual connection of east to west coast that comes from driving, which differs from hopping on a plane where you see one place and six hours later you're magically in another place.

Despite driving solo, I saw a lot of things and genuinely enjoyed the experience. I'm definitely going back to South Dakota sometime soon. Also, I fought the temptation to get off I-90 at Leavenworth and will most surely pop over there for Oktoberfest next month :)

Gasp

There was a moment while driving in Central Washington where I exited off a bridge and turned around a corner and...

GASP

The giant Mount Rainier loomed ahead. Seeing that pop up all of a sudden caused a completely involuntary gasp. Stunning.

Still Walking

Rocco: Hmmm, I've never peed on this kind of tree before!

Me: This tree smells great! Please don't pee on it, Rocco.

Rocco in SEA

Im taking Rocco for a walk in Belltown. Just a moment ago he really enjoyed chasing a flock of pigeons off the sidewalk. Birds and deer: the only two things Rocco will chase.

Somewhere Beautiful in Central Washington

Eastern Washington State

Eastern Washington is arid grassland. The yellows are really quite beautiful. Especially against the conifer trees. 

See?

Spokane

I wasn't planning on staying in Spokane, but the driving schedule made me do it. I ended up staying at a nice hotel with a great restaurant inside called MAX.

This is what I had: 

Huckleberry lemonade vodka cocktail in a mason jar

Dungeness crab and artichoke dip

Cougar Gold Cheese, Yellow beets, local apples and spinach salad

Idaho, Briefly

This was taken in Idaho on the panhandle that one must cross to get to Washington from Montana. All of the town signs are labeled with "district" which is weird. The populations were all less than 1000. 

It was 98 degrees this evening in Idaho! Crazy. 

Pulled over for the view

See ya later, Montana. 

Greetings from Bozeman, Montana

It feels like Hudson, NY. 

Good Morning

Having some--finally!--decent coffee in Bozeman outside of what seems to be Senator Jon Tester's office.

Wall Drug

The famous Wall Drug that I saw 100 signs for turned out to be a huge complex kind of like a a western themed Pike Place Market. It gave me anxiety so I grabbed a donut and left right away.

Sturgis, SD

The Sturgis Rally is just unlike anything I've ever seen. Maybe like a cross between a NYC street fair and Woodstock meets Harley Davidson. There were thousands and thousands of shiny motorcycles parked, driving around and being showcased by the various retailers and sponsors. Some of the biggest sponsors: Harley Davidson, Jack Daniels and Budweiser. There was also this "circle of death" attraction that seemed pretty popular.

Badlands

I could live here. I love it--so sublime and otherworldly. It was about 88 degrees so I didn't do any hiking on the many trails. Next time :) 

Devils Tower, Wyoming

Now this is sublime.

Mt. Rushmore

The trees smell nice. Very sublime here. But I'm not getting North by Northwest vibes. I know they mostly used a soundstage and all, but still. Dogs are not allowed so no selfies with Rocco (although I did sneak him in a bag).

Made it to South Dakota

There were at least 20 signs for 1) the corn palace (whatever the hell that is) and 2) wall drug. I will definitely check out the latter. I will definitely not check out the George McGovern Legacy Museum, which is here in Mitchell where I am staying. 

There are so many bikers here it is ridiculous. "Here" meaning at the motel where I am staying and on the highway. I have seen hundreds of motorcycles. Some notes:

1. They travel in packs or gangs

2. Many have large packs with tents on the back of the bike. Some are towing a metal case. 

3. There are lady bikers.

4. A few motorcycle enthusiasts are driving vehicles that are towing one or two bikes.

5. Most bikers are not wearing helmets.

6. Bridge overpass/underpass areas are a necessity in the case of rain.

7. Another rain necessity: a waterproof suit to change into on the side of the highway. 

8. Many bikers are driving 80 MPH or faster. 

9. So far, no kids on bikes have been sighted. But I did see a giant stuffed bear with a helmet seated behind a woman. 

Early morning in middle of nowhere, SD:

Live from Nelson

Not sure which state I am in to be honest. But I know that I am in Nelson and there is a super long train crawling along that is blocking the road. Uh oh. The train just stopped. 

The Mississippi River is right around here as well. Maybe I should stop and get some coffee? 

This train is so looooooooooong.

Problem

A warning light came on last night for tire pressure. The guy at firestone thinks something is stuck in the tire that is making it flat since it is one tire and not all that looks a little low.

Trip is delayed!

Update: Firestone ended up replacing the tire. Springing for the fancy insurance at Avis was definitely worth it.

Crashing in Madison

There was so much traffic in Chicago. All of the highways converge into a hot mess. Also, more storms off the lake. Tons of construction and closed lanes. How do people live in this? 

Got tired from that traffic and stayed in Madison for the night. 

Gary, Indiana

Gary is a storied historical city. My story in Gary consisted of driving through absolutely horrible weather. The rain came down so hard that I couldn't see in front of my hood. On this car there is one "handle" by the wheel on the left side that controls a bunch of different things. I couldn't figure out how to get the wipers on, but I was able to push the handle in for a single wipe. Throughout the awful storm I had to keep pressing the handle to get anything remotely close to a clear windshield. At one point large hail started poising down on my windshield. Because it is so open out here, I could see impressive thunderbolts.   At the storm's worst I was driving 15 MPH with my hazards flashing. Thank goodness a giant truck was in front of me so that I could mostly see its many rear lights. It was pretty frightened. I was expecting a tornado to pop up and kept my eyes peeled for a wedge cloud.

Night in Ohio

This is where I stayed. Not too bad, actually, although I am not sure what I just ate was actually oatmeal #newyorker

We are near Rocco's original hometown where he grew up as a little puppus until I got him when he was a year old. I wonder if he recognizes the smell of the Cuyahoga River.