WA

Here I am, Day 6 in the beautiful state of Washington. We've been staying with some friends of Hayley's dad on the Okanogan River, and I mean literally on it. I am actually looking out the window at the flowing water. Anyways.....

In the past six days I have seen the many faces of WA. We spent 2 Days in Seattle, that being the unconcluded part of the story, as I will be headed back there tomorrow for one last visit.

But let me say....

There are very few cities that I have seen that can top the unique persona of Seattle. I walked from Seattle Center to Pike Street, then down to the Bay.

PIKE STREET

As you near the water, the thick smell of salt caresses the air, along with the potent scent of fresh fish. Pike Street Market is alive with shoppers and vendors, a place where both tourist and local come together to shop amongst and array of vendors selling every thing from fresh fruit and flowers, to leather bound journals and hand made soaps. Live music rings from the streets, mostly blues and folk music. A young guy, not much older than myself, was actually playing the fiddle and singing with no other accompaniment, offering an all treble ballad to the passing shoppers. I walked wide eyed over the damp rock floor, sipping my Tully's coffee that I picked up at a local bagel shop for breakfast. The fish market is surrounded by a crowd, all gathered to see the famous fish tossing. Two men, each seasoned in there profession shout at one another as they toss the fish orders back an forth. The crowd applauds in excitement.
I entered a small book store on the lower level of the Public Market, greeted by the middle aged owner. "So how about this heat wave?" He asks me. This morning as I left, I found myself putting on a flannel button up over my t-shirt to cater to the crisp air.......its anything but a heat wave. But I realize, for him, 75 degrees is a heat wave in Seattle... nothing like the upper 90 degree temperatures of Albuquerque. After I explain to the owner that I am from somewhere that is much hotter, we chat for a bit about the unique culture of Seattle, and a little of some books that I enjoy. This was the last stop that I made on Pike Street Market, But there was still some things that I had in mind for the day.

GREENLAKE & THE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON

Hayley and I caught a bus the the Northern Part of Seattle in hopes of finding a place to rent some bicycles. We came across a large shop called GREGG'S GREENLAKE CYCLES.... Coming into the shop, it seemed just like any other. I spoke with one of the employees about the local following for cycling, when he invited me to the pro showroom. The showroom was set up like that of a gallery, the bicycles lined against the walls, hanging individually like large paintings isolated to be properly viewed. aside from the beauty side of the bicycles, there was a certain functional aura in the room that shouted "PERFORMANCE". I was not allowed to be unsupervised and was not allowed to take photographs. Some of the bikes cost more than (believe it or not) a new car. ((((CUSTOM PINARELLO PRINCE)))))).... After I gawked for more time than Hayley was happy with and shot the shit with my new Seattle bike shop friend, we were told that the shop didn't do bike rentals, but that there was a place not to far away that did. We were given directions on a small napkin and Began our walk through the University area...this turned out to be an adventure......................

But I'm sure that you are tired of reading by this time so this will be continued in a series of blogs..... hope you return to explore WA some more :)