things I do when I’m not ranting or blogging

Yesterday, we went downtown right before Pike Place was closing.   (The sky was gray, it was very, very windy and it was closing in the hour – the crowds were manageable!  And I hate to say, because *I* was a tourist once, but sometimes I wish Pike Place was a “locals only” kind of place, because I love it, but I don’t love fighting the crowds.)

The day before, we took an impromptu drive out towards Sequiem.  We wound up not leaving until about 4:30p and if you know the lay of the land, that might make you laugh.  Sequiem is about 2 – 2.5 hours away.  So we drove there, got out of the car, looked around, changed Nugget, then drove back.  We’ll have to go again, earlier, so that we can check out the Olympic mountains and the Park and Dungeoness Bay, etc.  (Nugget is a FABULOUS traveler and road trip-per.)

I feel so inspired, whenever we go downtown or on drives.  Words are useless to attempt to describe how much we love it here.  Washington State is so underrated.  And that’s just fine by us.  We’d rather keep it to ourselves.  I’m already chomping at the bit for Fall, it’s going to be fabulous.  AND, even though I know everyone keeps saying that this winter was unusually mild, that’s fine.  I’m down with winter.  While Washington may be farther North than Pennsylvania (where I’m from), it’s right on par with Prague (actually, I think Prague is just a smidgen further North than Seattle) and I know rough winters. The Northeast (Philly) is all about ice storms & harsh winters.  Then there’s Prague.  Let’s talk about the cold fronts that blow in from Siberia and standing out, waiting for the tram, in 20 below wind?  When we first said that we were moving to Seattle, everyone in LA sneered and said, “Oh, enjoy the weather.”  Well, I will, thank you very much.  We are not soft.  Constant sunshine doesn’t please us and we can take the cold.  People from Seattle try to warn us how this past winter was not the norm and I appreciate their worry that “we don’t know what we’re in for,” but, baby, I’ve lived in worse.  Rest assured, we will continue to love it here.  Lately, it’s been raining a lot.  Surprise, surprise.  It goes like this: morning, wake up to sunshine.  Late morning through to early evening (4 or 5 or so), stop raining.  This is when we go for a walk.  And, since it’s not sunny 24/7, we actually feel motivated to take advantage of it.  I feel like DOING things.  I feel joyful & elated when the sun comes out.  I NEVER felt like that in Santa Monica.  I felt complacent & lazy & completely lacking in motivation and unappreciative of anything.

No rain nor sleet nor snow nor bitter cold will change our love of Seattle.  I mean, look, how could you not love it, always & forever?:

A great little Japanese import shop in University City.  I will be going there often.
A great little Japanese import shop in University City. I will be going there often.
My new favorite mug, which I got at the Japanese import shop, along with some Sushi magnets, some gorgeous bowls and lots of inspiration for our backyard.
My new favorite mug, which I got at the Japanese import shop, along with some Sushi magnets, some gorgeous bowls and lots of inspiration for our backyard.
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge.  Im sorry, Golden Gate what?
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge. I'm sorry, Golden Gate what?
I pass zillions of these during our almost daily walk around the neighborhood & beyond.
I pass zillions of these during our almost daily walk around the neighborhood & beyond.
I love Lake Washington.  I love crossing it over the 520 floating bridge.  Its magical.  Always, one side (in this case the right) is turbulent, black & uninviting, while the other is smooth & calm as glass.  Its a strange visual effect.
I love Lake Washington. I love crossing it over the 520 floating bridge. It's magical. Always, one side (in this case the right) is turbulent, black & uninviting, while the other is smooth & calm as glass. It's a strange visual effect.
Oh, you know what this is.  Itll be a long time before I tire of it.
Oh, you know what this is. It'll be a long time before I tire of it.
Le Panier, my favorite French bakery in Pike Place.  I love when the line isnt very long, which is rare.
Le Panier, my favorite French bakery in Pike Place. I love when the line isn't very long, which is rare.
pike2
pike2
Heh.  Yes, that is what you think it is.
Heh. Yes, that is what you think it is.
You think you know good Salmon?  Not unless youve been to Seattle/Washington, kids.
You think you know good Salmon? Not unless you've been to Seattle/Washington, kids.

Mm.  This place suits him.
Mm. This place suits him.

There are draw bridges everywhere.
There are draw bridges everywhere.
There are boats & harbors & inlets & sounds & lakes everywhere. *swoon*
There are boats & harbors & inlets & sounds & lakes everywhere. *swoon*
And it is SO NICE to be able to go for road trips & drives around here.  An hour of driving in Los Angeles would get you NOWHERE.
And it is SO NICE to be able to go for road trips & drives around here. An hour of driving in Los Angeles would get you NOWHERE.

More photos here.  The last few are from the past few days.

2 thoughts on “things I do when I’m not ranting or blogging

  1. Petunia

    agh~ iNSANE jealousy here. I want Washington! Always loved it but.. ah. Portland is far off it seems (jobs, economy, please align the stars? My husband still looking for a transfer, sigh..) but I love these pics. Oregon or Washington is fine by me:)

    The cold keeps out the droves of people. So yeah, it’s good.

    And these photos are great- hipstamatic iphone app? Or a Polaroid camera?

    As for Japanese import shops I have always found the best stuff, CHEAP, and it’s second only to lounging in a book shop for quick therapeutic effects. I have more tea sets and bamboo mats and screens than I know what to do with. Wheee!

    Reply
  2. Nikooru

    Aww… I thought Portland was a definite? I’ll cross my fingers! I can’t wait to visit Portland, I hear it’s pretty phenomenal there, as well.

    The pics are all hipstamatic. I carry around my iPhone & my digital SLR and wind up using hipstamatic far more often… LOL

    Reply

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