Stinky socks & tired legs

I am exhausted, completely pooped. I participated in the Seattle Critical Mass this evening. It’s so different than the Chicago Critical mass. I arrived way before 6pm to find a small group of cyclists looking over their fixed gear bikes, messengers probably. No police were in sight and there were now flyers being handed out.

As for the bikes themselves, I did not really notice any tandems or weird bikes. Most all of the bikes were road bikes or mountain bikes, many of which had gears. Helmets, headlights and tail lights were plentiful. These people don’t mess around, they are hardcore cyclists. I did not see anyone drinking, or at least they were conspicuous about it.

The circle up was small and took place in the Westlake center on the pedestrian pavement, it took awhile for everyone to catch on and there was not much space to ride. But I guess that did matter much, because we were at the most 200 people, small. I wonder how many the Chicago mass on such a cold temperature evening…

Riding through the semi empty downtown streets of Seattle was pleasant. We didn’t have many hooligans swearing at cabbies and flicking them off. We also didn’t have any angry drivers getting out of their vehicles to yell at us. It seemed as though this was a normal occurrence. Some guy did make everyone shout by yelling “f**ing hippies”. It made me laugh. These riders were far from hippies, just laid back cyclists.

This was a nice ride, no stop-and-go riding with beer guzzling in between. We were going up and down hills the entire time, and I fell behind. The reason I fell behind was not because I couldn’t make it UP the hills, it was because I was scared to go flying DOWN them. So many riders passed me coming down, I had my hands on the brakes the entire time, afraid to let go of my death grip.

After about a half hour of riding, we circled in this fountain-like cement structure in the shape of one of those spiral quarter things you see at the museum. This one was filled with bikers with blinking lights spinning around. I went down into it, and then came up again. I thought that critical mass was over, how lame. But I asked someone and he said we were just all massing back up together. We ended up heading towards Volunteer Park. Up, up, up many hills we went. Never have I been so happy to have so many gears in working condition. I was winded by the time we got up to Broadway, but at least I didn’t have to walk my bike up, there was a girl I saw walking her bike up.

The flatness of the last long stretch was relaxing. I stopped riding with the group when they headed toward the U-district. There was no way that I wanted to climb that hill back up by myself on my way home.

I feel great, like I’ve accomplished some kind of bike marathon, not in time, but in elevation. I think the challenges of critical mass here are not the cars, traffic or pedestrians. Nature can be just as cumbersome.

The Emerald City

So, since I've been back from Portland, there has been nothing but sunshine, 5 beautiful, crisp, cold days. I have been taking advantage of my time off. I go running every other morning, there are two great parks nearby with gravel running paths. It's great not to have to wear layers upon layers to go out for a run. Everyday it gets up to about 45 degrees.

I have been exploring the city on foot the last few days. Walking is great excercise in a city with extremely steep hills. I haven't even used the bus system yet, I'd rather walk, I believe you see more when you walk.

On Tuesday, because it was a clear day, I decided to go up in the Space Needle. I wanted to remind myself of the mountains in the horizon. To the west are the Olympic Mountains, to the east the Cascade Range and Mount Ranier. Ships and water are abundant in Puget Sound area.

The day after going atop the Space Needle, the weather was gorgeous, so I decided to do some more really touristy things. I took a one hour boat tour. The tour guide tried to explain as much of Seattle's history as she could in 60 minutes. I was interested in getting the best possible photos while riding on the boat. I was also glad to have layers of clothing on, becuase it became quite chilly out on the boat with the wind in my face.

(my secret spy look)

(the tugboat is pulling the barge!)

(California sea lions)

I though the colors were absolutely gorgeous.

Portland

Whew....

Portland, Oregon is amazing.

Yes, I still live in Seattle, but this past weekend I got to escape and spend the weekend in Portland at a music festival! A super great way to spend my first time in the city.

Earlier in the week, an old friend of mine emailed me and asked me if I wanted to help him work selling cds, t-shirts and such at the fest. All of my expenses were paid, so I decided why not.

On Thursday, with my backpack and sleeping bag I walked down to the Seattle Pier to catch the Seattle-Bremerton Ferry. I felt like I was in Europe again, taking ferries. :-) It was an hour ride, with cold and brisk Pacific winds. The lower level housed the cars and the upper level the passengers. As I shifted my vision from the Olympic Mountain Range, I saw a sea lion pop his head out of the water.

(Goodbye Seattle, for now that is.)

(One of my famous "I hold the camera"shots)

(looking toward the Olympic Peninsula)

Portland Old Time Music Gathering

(jam at the pub)

(clogger)

I can't believe the amazing sounds I heard this weekend at the Old Time Music Gathering. Thursday night we arrived in Portland and attended the Moon and 6Pence Pub for a Jam and Spanish Coffees, the house specialty. The Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Stringband were in attendance, so I borrowed a banjo from them.

Above are photos from the after party Saturday night at the residence where I was staying. Every room was filled with musicians and sounds. One of the best bass players I heard at Clifftop a few years back was at the party playing.
Around 2am some kids from Portland decided to use the ice cream churn to make homemade chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. It was placed in the center of the floor and we all sat around it spooning it into our mouths. Mmmm.
Too bad I can't blog the amazing sounds I heard. I stopped jamming at 6:30am and headed to bed. Next to my bed I had laid out on the floor were others jamming. I fell asleep to some of the most beautiful and clear melodies I had heard the entire weekend. For many it had been a sunrise jam. For me, it was a delightful lullaby. My ears were spoiled this weekend.

While I was in Portland, I also did some things that were not at all related to folk music, including:

Voodoo Doughnuts=the BEST donuts EVER


I can't believe I got to try Voodoo donuts TWICE while in Portland. I am so lucky. They are the most amazing, delectable treats. Cool-aid grape, rice crispy, coco puffs, Butterfingers, bacon-maple are just some of the wacky toppings. I couldn't even decide which one to get, so I ended up buying a bakers dozen. I am so glad I don't work there, who knows what would happen to me.
Besides donuts, I did do some wandering around Portland. I must come back though, because it was the city of most ridiculous signs, postings and billboards.

A young banjo-uke player strums below.With ears spoiled and soul awoken, I will return to Portland.

Sunshine in Seattle

After driving through the treacherous mountain passes of the Cascade mountains, I have finally arrived in Seattle. Much to my surprise, there was tons of traffic, go figure, rush hour in the big city. My first thought, "where did all these cars come from?" I guess spending 2 weeks in the middle of nowhere in Montana, I became used to the open spaces and solitude.

Today I woke up and the sun was shining. The above picture was the first I took in Seattle, the view from my front porch down my block. I couldn't believe the sun was shining.
This is a picture of my house. I live on the first floor apartment. Our front porch has 2 rocking chairs and a couch. The house is built on a pile of rocks and dirt. It's huge.

So, my first day in Seattle...

I woke up early, too excited to rest any longer. I made an espresso then decided to take a walk around my neighborhood, Capitol Hill. Below are some of the photos I took during my hike. Yes, it was less like a stroll and more like a hike, up and down and up and down HILLS! There are many steep hills here, and curvy roads. Everything is somewhat on a slope. My street dead ends at a beautiful park with meandering pathways. For the middle of winter the greenery is so lush.

After my walk I came back to the house to meet one of my roommate's friends. Since the weather was so lovely we decided to spend the day taking a tour of the city in his car. The first place we got out at was the Gas Works, park, seen below. It is on Lake Washington. The first picture below is from the top of the hill at the park. The views are beautiful.

(more pictures to come...)

It's was a wonderful first day in Seattle. I even managed to put my bike together, riding it, partially, to the car wash. It's finally cleaned. Riding about this city is a challenge because of the hills...more on bike riding later.

I am happy here, it is 10 times better than I expected. I can't believe that I LIVE in this wonderful place.

More to come...

Less than 125 miles outside of Seattle

The highway is great when it’s open. I am less than 125 miles outside of Seattle, and have been sitting behind a hay truck for almost two hours, waiting for interstate 90 to reopen. The Snuggle pass has been closed due to hazardous weather conditions; avalanches of snow and rain. I want to drive, I am so close. I guess they were right. But it still seems ridiculous that the interstate is closed. All these cars and trucks must pull of the interstate. There are lines of cars parked along the sides of another road. Everyone just walking about, sleeping or smoking. I wish I had that book I was reading. Forgetful as I am, I left it in Core’dAlene at the motel. This highway better reopen soon. So many people are waiting.

I hear this on the radio: “A winter travel advisory for I90 across Snoqualmie pass as of 2:24 this afternoon, the temperature in the mid 20’s...

Wallace-Coer d'Alene, ID

Welcome to snow covered Idaho.

I have almost driven through the pan-handle of this state.

The state fruit is the Huckleberry. I am drinking Huckleberry Ale at the Coeur d'Alene Brewing Company.

I think I have seen more evergreens today than I will see the rest of my life! Maybe I'm wrong, I still have more mountains to drive through tommorrow.

Wallace is an old mining town. I originally stopped there to see the Molly b'damned, a motel on the outskirts of the town. It is a motel themed around the most famous prostitutes of the area during mining times. Each room is named after a different woman of the night.

I found these neat antique/taxidermy shops on Main street.

With one hour of daylight left, I decided to head out of Wallace towards Coer d'Alene. I found a place to stay on the main street, not more than a half a mile from the lake. YES! There is a huge lake here, and it's beautiful. There's actually enough wind to make small waves. This evening I have been walking around the town taking pictures. The snow is deep and heavy, but I enjoy traipsing through it. It beats driving.

That's my new car, parked.

Much love from the winter wonderland.

Through the mountains-part I

Waking up to find out I had a flat tire was not how I planned on begining the drive to Seattle. I guess that's just one of the perks to owning a car. Camille said; "At least you HAVE a car", her Saab broke down yesterday.

I hit Missoula in no time, after heading west on 90. It's funny how some people in Montana think that I should wait till spring to cross the mountains. They must think that I am taking a covered wagon or something. I have had no trouble thusfar. The most bothersome part was gettting the melting snow, water, gravel and dirt off of my winshield.

After Deer Lodge and before Missoula, there are miles of forested mountains. It's so picturesque. It is similar to the Alps in Europe. Instead of rocky mountain tops, these mountains are smothered with evergreens, so many of them. Their tops are sprinkled with snow.

I am currently sitting in a cafe in Superior Montana, a place recommended by a native. The Huckleberry Cheesecake is too rich for me to finish.

09.Jan.08 14:42

Bouldering

02.01.08
Four days in Montana, the middle of nowhere capitol of the world, has taught me to seek excitement rather than waiting for it.
I drove my new vehicle to town today, to spend a while on the town library’s high speed internet. Libraries in small towns close for lunch breaks, isn't that nice? Fifteen minutes into the lunch break, I noticed that I was still on my computer, and the library was desolate. They had forgotten about me and gone to lunch. I can’t get over the fact that you don’t need to hide your wallet and lock your car every time you leave it. The lady at the gas station actually let me pump gas before even taking my credit card and the clerk at the IGA actually left her register to show me where something was located. Small towns amaze me.
Camille had to work today, so this afternoon I took her husky Elska on an adventure of our own. By suggestion, we drove to Ringing Rocks formation. After driving about 20 minutes on a dirt/rock/gravel access road, I began to wonder why people drive so far to see a pile of rocks. It was well worth the wait, as most good things are.
It was my first time “off-roading” with the explorer, my new vehicle. It does great on the rocks and gravel; I did not even have to go into 4 wheel drive. For all you SUV haters; they are actually quite practical out here. At some turns, and over some rocks, I doubted the capabilities of the vehicle, but Elska was calm sitting beside me, why should I be scared?

We didn’t quite make it to the summit, when I decided to park the car in a spot that I could easily turn around in and head back down the mountain. I turned the car off, leaving the windows down. Who would come all the way up this mountain to steal the vehicle?


A few feet away from the car began the red rock formation. Elska darted in the opposite direction, so began the small hike. At first I began to follow her, thinking that she would run away from me. Her clanging collar always seemed to be in earshot of me. Stepping over stones and dried plants, I made my way through evergreens and brush, to arrive at stunning views of the landscape in the distance. Breathtaking, I mean really, I was out of breath by the time I reached those heights. I felt like king of the world, as a lion must feel, when he is standing on the tip of a rock looking to the distance between him and the horizon. In moments like these, I stand in awe at the world God has given us. It was beautiful, picturesque and calming. For miles, I could not see buildings or people.

Not more than a half an hour after arriving, I did hear people’s voices in the distance. It was a group of five, including a little tike, who was interested in Elska, because she was a “doggy”. I was reassured that I had not done anything stupid, when I realized that they had also driven an explorer up the mountain.

On top of the mound of boulders, a man stood. After he came down, I asked him how he had gotten up. He said that the other side was covered with ice and snow, so he just faced this side, twisting his way up. If someone has made it to the top, I most certainly had to try. I called Elska, she wouldn’t set paw on to even the first boulder.




I decided to go alone. What an exhilarating experience. Every rock is shaped differently and laid differently. And between them are gigantic holes, which I’m glad I didn’t get stuck in. I was worried about something dropping out of my pockets. Luckily my camera strap was working. I didn’t know bouldering could be so much fun and such a great workout. Although I felt lightheaded at times, climbing rocks on all fours, made me feel more like my four legged friends. It’s a great feeling.