Final Hours in Seattle

On my last day we visited
SAM!
Yes, folks, another acronym.

Seattle Art Museum.

Their special feature was the
Impressionist Exhibit.

We saw lots of Monet.
But, it was not free.

After returning to the apartment Leslie tempted
me with offers of kayaking and other Seattle activities.

But, of course, I chose the hooping.


Back to the apartment once again...
...then to dinner
...then to B&O Espresso.

For my going away party!!!

The VIP list included:
Leslie, Becki, Bob, Nana,
Poppop, Caitie, and Myself.

A super-sweet send off!

From up above I bid Washington adieu.

Seattle: Day 13

As we boarded the bus, our friendly bus driver greeted us with,

"You're tourists, right?"
Our cover had been blown.

Well, a good portion of the day was spent shopping
downtown near Pike's Place Market.

Once we all ran out of juice,
Nana, Poppop, & I hopped on the bus,
and went over to Voxx coffee.
Conveniently located below Leslie's apartment.

Leslie got in from work and we all devised a plan for the evening.
We went to the art museum located
on University of WA's campus.
The Great Pyramids of UW.
My favorite piece in the gallery.It's actually around 10-12 feet tall!

Each of these glass parts were hand blown by the artist.
Comparing the sculpture to the galaxy.
The blueprints. Inspired by the vast universe.

Afterwards, we went out for dinner at Duke's.
I ordered the seafood chop chop.
A delightful melody of lettuce, shrimp, scallops, and cashews.
Drizzled with a tangy lemon vinaigrette.

I should be writing these menus.

We left Duke's with the idea of a free lenny scoop in mind.
In Fremont there is a Lennon statue.
It is for sale. Asking price: $250,000.

The gelato place located directly behind this statue
offers a free mini "lenny" scoop with every scoop purchased.
That's no cherry on top.
That's a lenny scoop!

You might think the day ended here.
However, the night was young and so am I.

I brought scrabble over to Caitie's a little bit after 10.
Mrs. Handron said that once we finished the game
she would walk with us to bring me back
OR
I could stay the night for a sleepover.

A sleepover? When was the last time that occurred?!

Caitie and I unanimously nodded in concurrence .
I placed a call to Leslie, who gave consent,
only after speaking with Mrs. Handron to make sure this wasn't
some self devised plan between Caitie and I.

I came back to the apartment to get some jammies
and returned to the dock to play a game of monopoly.

As it grew later and later
my monopoly gusto faded and
my banking skills were sub-par.

Time for bed.

Seattle: Day 12

This morning I went to ProFormance Rehab

and shadowed a PT for a little while.

After I left the clinic I took the s.l.u.t. to lunch.

That's the south lake union trolley, mind you.
Destination: Whole Foods

I spent a few hours there and then went back to the apartment.
Leslie picked me up and we headed to the Sea-Tac airport
to pick up the newly arrived Nana & Poppop.

We all went back to the apartment again and
then to dinner at Casa de Italia where Caitie works.

Stopped by a few grocery stores on the way in.
Trader Joes! (Please, come to Florida!)

Once again, back at the apartment.

Caitie got off of work a bit earlier than expected.
We met up and played a non-competitive game of Scrabble.

Goodnight Seattle.
I, myself, am not sleepless.

Seattle: Day 11

Another lazy day today.
Went by the flower lady's shop.
Then to the post office and Louisa's.

Leslie and I went to the Duck Dodge tonight.
A sailing race out on Lake Union.
I scored an invite since she's friends with Captain Ralph.

I may not have contributed much to the group's efforts.
But, I was a strong addition to the morale : P

Leslie on foredeck.

Moi on starboard.

Silhouettes

The other Duck Dodgers.

Now there's something to dodge!

All aboard the Matinee.

Aurora bridge.

With a hearty crew of 11,
Barth was asked to remain in the cabin.

Seattle: Day 10

With hoop in tow,

Caitie and I met up and went to Gasworks Park.

"The Hoop Industry."
Lounging in the lush grass of Emerald City.

Leslie and I went to Whole Foods for lunch.
I love a good grocery store!

Then we left to run errands.
She spotted a great American message:
Soon it'll be cheaper to smoke too.

Then we found a car wash.
Now it's time to get squeaky clean.

Old-school/ drive-through style.

Houston, we're ready for take off.

We went for a hike at Discovery Park with Katherine.
Oh my, a tepee!

This seems to be a reoccurring theme here.

Are those flowers leopard print?!

They are!

Here's something else we spotted that was just too cute.

A word to the wise.

Seattle: Day 9

Lazy Sunday.

Leslie and I met up with Becki for a breaky/ brunch/ lunch.
Take your pick.
Marionberry blintzes with fresh fruit on the side.
Delish!

I just quoted Rachel Ray, whom I loathe, I must be tired!

We went upstairs to grab some laptops and went
down to Voxx Coffee- the cafe downstairs.
I ordered a steamed soymilk to earn my keep
and an outlet for a few hours.

We left for gasworks park in search of hoopers.

There was a band playing: Athens At Dawn.
Great sound! A 10 on the scale of hoop jams.

We came across some more friendly park goers
and hooped a little bit longer.

Then, it was time to get going-
Circus Contraption at 7pm.
We grabbed some grub at the local PCC for dinner.
When we arrived at Circus Contraption
Allison had already saved 4 seats for all of us.

This show was incredible!
It was a burlesque, dark, vaudeville style circus act.
If you ever have the opportunity to see this-
Jump on it!
My favorite piece in the show.
The mermaid aerialist performance.

Hello!? Wouldn't this be hard enough
without your legs being strapped together?


I also thought this guy was hysterical : D
Not everyone can transform themselves into a monkey
cuter than Aladdin's own Abu.

Dr. Calamari & Acrophelia.

This was one intense dynamic duo!
Balance, strength, and coordination.

I purchased their CD as a souvenir.
Kind of French and Klezmer.
(Leslie came up with that latter term for me,
since I couldn't quite place the sound.)

We were leaving the show,
and as we approached the vehicle
we saw that the flashers were on.
The battery was out.

Allison tried to give us a jump start...
she ended up calling in back-up for us though.

Meanwhile I was hooping.
Thank goodness we could still get into the trunk.

Seattle: Day 8

Hooray!

Fremont festival and parade today!
All in celebration for the summer solstice : D
Birthday Suit: Redefined.

Leslie and I walked over and met up with Becki and Caitie.
The first attraction of the parade: Naked Cyclists.
Yes, there were about 100 bold exhibitionists
riding by in their painted attire.



This was by far the highlight of the parade.

Drag Queens, Belly dancers, and Hoopers.
OH MY!
The parade hosted a collection of characters.
Below is the album for your viewing pleasure.

Afterwards, we continued on to the festival hot spots.
Lots of vendors with samples, crafts, and political activism.

The art cars were another pleasant attraction.

Found my home at the art car exhibit.

Even the wee ones got all dolled up.

We were framed I tell you!Framed!