So since we're still happily unemployed, we decided last week to take a day and drive out to the Olympic Peninsula to see what all the fuss was about. We chose Port Townsend as our destination and figured we would drive all the way there and then take the ferry back to Seattle.
The day was beautiful and the drive relaxing. We stopped off in some of the small communities on the way - so many homes and lots for sale! We checked out the little town of Gig Harbor and on our way out - BAM! Flat tire. We both recalled how we got a flat tire driving on the California coast, on the trip with the ring and the kneeling and proposin' marraige. So we knew we could stay in good spirits. A quick patch and we're back on the road.
Both ravenous by the time we arrived in Port Townsend, we quickly sat down to lunch and listened to the rude old lady at the table next to us. Will we be rude old folks? Don't people feel thay they're entitled to be rude once they get gray and wrinkled?
Food was great. Delicious fish & chips and a prime rib snadwich.
The Port Townsend downtown was quaint, with brick buildings constructed more than 100 years ago. Many held fading ads painted on the ocean-facing sides of the building.
The docks offered vast viewing of the sound, and the town was dotted with many old bookstores, all independently owned and crammed to the ceilings with all manner of old and interesing books. The whole place seems very distant and remote, partly because we were there in the off season.
Pretty cute, eh?
We of course did the obligatory stop at the local food co-op. It's such a comfort to walk amonog ailses of familiar products. More so than in the PCC stores we have visited here in the city, Port Townsend Co-op shoppers all seemed to know each other and all seemed to be fiercely proud of shopping at their Co-op. Loved it, though their version of the Golden Beet & Kale Salad just didn't have the right zing we've grown accustomed to in Davis. Always the Co-op nerd, it seemed I was wearing by Co-op Advantage beanie in this photo.
Then we also have to make the obligatory stop at the local brewery. (The sailor is pointing at Beth and yelling "Thar she brews!") The tiny tasting room was packed and got progressively more crowded. It was located right near the docks and many of the patrons donned well-worn hats and sweatshirts labeled Port Townsend Shipwright's Co-op. They love them some cooperation out in PT. We took the Ferry Back from Bainbridge Island right into Downtown Seattle. By then it was dark so we were treated with the glowing nighttime skyline. Wonderful day. It felt pretty great to see the beautiful city and say, "we live there."
Most romantic Valentine's Day ever:1. Grabbed our neighbor whose wife is away for three months and all enjoyed a fantastic breakfast of chicken-fried chicken, though Beth was carded (second time in a week!) and couldn't get the red beer she desired to go with the meal. 2. Scored free coffee at Starbuck's thanks to Matt's multiple gift cards from Christmases past.3. Visited the marina and walked along the beach. Checked out some beach volleyball. Watched seagulls fight over a fish for a really really ridiculously long time.4. Found a fantastic bloody mary at the deliciously dirty and divey Pacific Inn (we were sad to have eaten breakfast so recently since the Pacific Inn also makes rockin' fich & chips).5. Stopped at another Starbuck's and scored another round of gift card coffees - we do have to pay twelve cents this time.6. Tried to find a butcher shop for our Valentine's Day steak grilling. First shop no longer exists, second was closed on weekends. Ended up at Whole Foods and harrassed our friend working in the crazy busy floral section. 7. Swung by the Erotic Bakery for some naughty desserts. We got an assortment of cupcakes including the vagina, the boobs, the white cock and the black cock. They're basic cupcakes with different fondant decorations stuck onto the frosting - none of which are at all subtle. At the register, the friendly shop owner asked us, "Would you like cum on your cock?" meaning they will drip a little sugar water mixture on the tip of the fondant cock (or on anything else we were purchasing for that matter). We said yes of course.8. Almost home and we swung by a local brewpub for a pitcher...or two. Big talk about starting all manner of home businesses.9. Got home & grilled steaks. Et 'em up with fingerling potatoes and steamed asparagus.10. Watched Spinal Tap DVD.
Is it global warming? Or perhaps a pack of lies spun by these northwestern mossbacks to keep southerners away? Either way, the reports of miserable Seattle winters have so far been false. In fact, the weather is exciting in that it changes from day to day. Some wind, some snow, some rain and them BAM! A sunny day. A morning walk revealed Mt. Rainier looming above and beyond the metropolis. Photos from my walk follow: (click a photo for a larger version)
(above & below) Mountain and city juxtaposed.
(above & below) Some hazy Cascades off to the east.
It's neat to see how folks adapt to the dense living situation, though this rig would seem to require a bit of parental supervision.
Beautiful Thai Restaurant down the street a ways. Don't know yet if the food matches the facade
Entrance to a chiropractor's office. Despite the fact that you have to be a little more careful with your cash and drugs, we're enjoying the overall city-ness of this place. Art and music and good food all around. Last week we went to a show that was performance as much as it was music. The band wore red shrouds (Beth says they were graduation robes, but "shrouds" sounds much better) and big floppy yellow hats with black netting hanging over their faces. Two percussionists backed up synthesizer, bass and guitars. The music was deep and droning and the vocalist finally emerged, crawling onto the stage in a furry white costume and orange masquerade-style mask with a long pointed nose. Again,we differ on the description. I say he was dressed as a snowy owlet while Beth says baby penguin. I'm sure he would tell you he can't be classified. He was more of a vocalist than a singer, using his voice to wail and chant in a very beautiful way, often sounding very Indian. Wonderfully weird.More photos:
This entire graffiti scene has a snow/skiing theme. By his choice of sweater, I assume that the green monster is sponsored by Rainier Beer.
Painting on the side of a brake shop.
Hand-illustrated show flyer. Love it! Especially in that it is also hand-cut. Notice that $2 Rainier is listed on their happy hour sign. Yup.
This is a fixture at the playground near our house. From the street it looked like the structure was just falling apart. It took close investigation to realize what was going on.
More outdoor art, this mural on the side of a brewpub & cafe. We had lunch here once, including a grilled sandwich that included tuna salad, sauteed mushrooms and avocado. Yes, it was good.
Stay back! Those bunnies on the lower left aren't very friendly looking up close. On the giraffe's chest is a marquee to promote the specials...
...and up close you can see that the marquee has been cleverly altered. Or did that G just fall down on its own?Super Bowl came and we ate and ate. Fired up the grill and made my someday-famous "Your mama's so hot chicken" to wrap up a whirlwind weekend of friends and food and football. So now its February. We're moved in and settled in. I suppose I should get myself a job. Do they still have those in this economic climate?
