104 degrees in Seattle!

I have never thought 80 degrees at 10pm felt as good as it does tonight. The past few days have been brutally hot here in Seattle. Yesterday as I left work at 3:30pm it was 98, about 30 minutes after arriving at home, it was 104! Really, really f***in' hot. I had to stop for gas on my way home, as I pulled into the gas station I noticed a mini-van pulling in, with both side doors open to get a breeze inside.

Along Rainier Ave. there were at least two electric buses that had broken down.

I was sweating in the shade, and the school where the summer camp is that I have been working at, NO AC. The kids knew better than to give hugs in such weather. They resorted to spraying us with the hose and throwing water on us. It was so refreshing.

So, July, 29 2009 was 104 degrees, which broke the record set back in 1971 for the same date it was 95.

I have to admit I did enjoy the intensity that such weather brings to a laid back town like Seattle. Road rage galore and people were actually snapping at each other! My car stalled about 10 times in a matter of 20 minutes, I think it was just too much stress on the engine running the AC.

On Tuesday, we took the kids to Carkeek park and one other kindergartner boy and I were the only brave souls to jump in the ICE cold Puget Sound water. I'd have to guess it was around 45-50 degrees. The ice plunge felt marvelous in the heat.

Below is a photo of my band on our hottest photo shoot yet.

The Light Rail Opens!

Seattle has a train!!! Woohooo. It's called "the Light Rail" and it runs by electricity above the train, the way some of the electric buses in Seattle run. It's also on a track and goes through a tunnel. The route right now is from Tukwila to Westlake Center in Downtown Seattle. Despite the crowds, lines and confusion, I decided to take it downtown today. It was free for all passengers. Normally it will cost between $1.50-$2.50 depend on how far you travel. It's also based on the honor system, so no ticket is taken when you get on the train, but controllers can ask to see your ticket. It is much smoother than the bus and the EL train in Chicago, but is not yet super quick to get downtown. Supposedly, four bicycles per car are allowed. I didn't even attempt to try it today, it would've been impossible with all the people. It's great to have better/more options for public transportation in Seattle, even though waiting 3o minutes for the Light Rail did remind me of waiting for a ride at Disney World or Six Flags. Seattle is on it's way to becoming a 21st century city.