June 9: Seattle, Washington

After a very healthy breakfast we hit the road nice and early. The eastern half of Washington surprised us, containing far more flat fields and cows and potatoes (we went through the county that produces the most potatoes in the United States) than we expected. Erika and Daniel Spokane told us we had to take a dip in the Columbia River while we were out here and gave us detailed directions to a good spot for river entry. Unfortunately, we managed to not even see the exit and thus had to try to find river access on our own. We pulled off the highway right after crossing the river and made a pit stop at the Ginkgo Petrified Forest State Park. The interpretive center was closed but we still got to see some petrified wood. The dip in the river was less successful. We found a boat ramp and approached the water there. It was very rocky so we only made it in up to our ankles but the water felt nice and had we made it to the suggested location we’re sure we would have enjoyed it.

After a few hours we had reached the mountainous, pine tree filled landscape we had been led to believe comprised the entire state of Washington. Along with pine trees and potatoes, the first policemen showed up in Washington. We had made it across the majority of the country without seeing a single cop; however, in Washington we saw several. The most intimidating by far was the one dressed in all black, posted up against his black police car, hidden at the bottom of a hill around a curve and aiming his radar gun at the oncoming traffic (luckily we weren’t speeding so he couldn’t spring into action and chase us down).

We got in touch with Louisa’s father’s old friend from college who graciously welcomed us to his home and his city: Seattle. After a few close calls with pedestrians, Emily managed to successfully park the car and we began exploring. We grabbed lunch on the waterfront. Louisa had clam chowder (not as good as Maine’s) and Emily had fried clams. We then walked towards the Seattle Mariners Stadium since the area around it was supposed to be nice. One would think that a giant stadium near the waterfront would be easy to keep track of. We managed to lose it. So we took a nice stroll along the industrial port alongside the freeway. After a few minutes we realized our mistake and remedied it.

Back on track, we explored the area around Pioneer Square, stopping in a thrift shop, where we both made some nice but cheap purchases. While exploring we discovered that in Washington all traffic laws are taken seriously, not just the speed limit. Jaywalking was also a big no-no. We were shocked when people waited to cross an empty street merely because the light was not in their favor. Then we went to the Seattle Public Library, by far the coolest library we ever been in. We checked out the children’s section (which included individual gaming stations and child-sized bathrooms that we were not allowed to enter) and then adventured upstairs. There we found all sorts of good spots for working (for a very brief moment Emily even wished she had some homework just so she could do it there).

After the library, we got our retail fix by poking around an upscale shopping area. Then we went Pike Place Market and decided we wanted to buy everything: produce, fish, kitschy souvenirs, and amazing fresh cut flowers. One fish seller was particularly popular since rather than blandly handing you your purchase and sending you on your way, the packaging process involved shouting and tossing the fish and a little fancy footwork. They also had a monkfish on display. One fellow Pike Place frequenter even suggested that we go play with the monkfish. We declined. He persisted. We declined again.

After avoiding touching the monkfish we decided to buy some flowers for our hosts of the night: Jamie and Celeste. Flowers in hand, we met up with Jamie and headed out to West Seattle. We took the scenic route and thus got several nice vistas of the Seattle skyline. We also got a taste of the neighborhoods along the water. Seattle was proving to be much beachier than we had expected. After a wonderful dinner we walked down to the beach to watch the sunset and ran into some of Jamie’s friends from the neighborhood, further acquainting ourselves with West Seattle life.

Back at the house we got some recommendations about what to see from Jamie and Celeste and realized there was far more to see than could ever be seen (at least on our schedule). After some brainfood (ice cream) we called it an early night so we would be ready to hit the road the next morning.