Seattle - Beyond Expectations

Location coordinates:

47°37'47"N, 122°21'33"W

Kerry Park, Seattle, Washington

It's great when a destination lives up to your pre-conceived notions. Even better is when a location provides the unexpected and broadens your impression of what that place is really like, which is what happened on my recent journey to Seattle. I found plenty of what I expected: beautiful bays dotted with ships and sailboats and ferries, picturesque parks, great food, mind-boggling traffic, and interesting architecture. I was also introduced to characteristics that up to this point I did not associate with the city.

With Seattle's reputation for damp and cloudy weather, it was my understanding that sightings of majestic Mt. Rainier are hard to come by. But our arrival day was clear and bright, and as we flew into the city we were treated to amazing views of the 14,000 foot mountain, it's snow-covered peak contrasting sharply with the lush green landscape of the lower elevations. Most of our four-day visit was sunny and dry . And it was warm - in the mid-seventies. In fact, I'd say the weather was just about perfect. Is it possible the "it's always rainy in Seattle" mantra is a myth?

Another unanticipated finding was the proximity of spectacular mountain ranges that seemed to frame the horizon any direction you looked. Across Puget Sound to the west you can see the Olympic range, and to the east is the Cascade range, with Mt. Baker in the north and Mt. Rainier (shown here) to the south serving as geographic sentries for the Seattle metropolitan area. I always knew there were mountain ranges nearby, but I wouldn't have guessed they were such a visible and pleasing part of the Seattle cityscape.

I was also quite surprised to find downtown Seattle similar to hilly San Francisco. Many of the streets in the city center and immediate surrounding area are so steep that even the best of stick shift drivers would be hard pressed to keep their car from making that heart-thumping roll back when getting the green light.

What I did expect, and most certainly found, was a culturally diverse, dynamic city in one of America's most scenery-blessed regions. The best views combining the city, Puget Sound, and Mt. Rainier can be found in Kerry Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerry_Park_(Seattle)) in the Queen Anne Hill neighborhood just north of downtown. If you're lucky and the weather is clear - which from my photo above you can see on the day we visited it was not - you are treated to a dramatic visual trifecta of skyline, water, and mountains. You can also admire (or envy if you are so inclined) the stately homes of those fortunate enough to live with the best view in town.

It's easy to understand why Seattle's population has increased dramatically since the early 1990s. Fortunately, I won't have to move there to continue to explore the city. With family living there, I'll get to enjoy my status as repeat visitor.

Boeing - Future of Flight

Location coordinates:
47°55'28"N, 122°17'19"W
Everett, Washington

     When I was seventeen my family made a four-hour stopover in Seattle on our way home from Canada. I didn't see much then except the iconic Space Needle, yet something about the city stuck with me as I've had a curiosity about it ever since. Last fall my daughter and son-in-law moved there, and thanks to their expert planning for our recent visit we were able to see much of what Seattle has to offer: the excitement and vivid colors of Pikes Place Market, pretty Snoqualmie Falls, Deception Pass and lush Whidbey Island, terrific wineries, and the expansive University of Washington campus. Everything we saw and did was great. But one of our stops transformed me from reserved grown up to excitable twelve-year-old in a flash. I've mentioned before about me being an airliner geek, and there is a place about 30 minutes north of downtown Seattle that is like the mother ship for airplane nerds like me.

     The Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour in Everett is a veritable Disneyland for aviation enthusiasts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_of_Flight_Aviation_Center_%26_Boeing_Tour). At this facility Boeing manufactures wide body 747s, 767s, 777s, and the brand new 787 "Dreamliner", which is scheduled to begin commercial flights later this year. I've been tracking the development of this aircraft for some time and couldn't believe I was actually getting a chance to see them being built. My time was limited so I had to choose between the aircraft plant tour or the Future of Flight center - a museum which is loaded with all manner of static and interactive aviation goodies. I decided my priority was viewing the manufacturing process, so with ticket held in excited hand I boarded a security-screened bus which conveyed our small group to the promised land.      

      We entered the enormous manufacturing building via one of many underground tunnels used by plant employees. Our first stop was the section dedicated to the construction of 747s. A freight elevator brought our group up several floors to the observation level where we gazed wondrously upon what appeared to be billions of cubic feet of space and several 747s in various stages of assembly. The expression of utter joy on my face must have been comical as I took it all in. The tour guide offered plenty of statistics and logistical data about the stages the planes go through along the assembly line, but I was often too distracted visually to absorb the information I was hearing.

     After a session viewing the 777 manufacturing area we arrived at the 787 part of the tour. This is going to be a beautiful aircraft. It is not as large as the other wide-bodies, but it is elegant. The wings have a graceful upward arc which literally gives the plane a soaring eagle appearance. The plane's composite metal construction will allow it to be much more fuel and environment friendly, and new designs on the interior will provide an enhanced passenger experience. I'm sounding like a commercial for the Boeing 787, but I can't help it - this is going to be a truly great aircraft. I can't wait to fly on one.

     I'll have to return to take in the Future of Flight Center, but I have no problem putting that on my future travel plans. Many thanks to my daughter Sarah for finding this tour. It was definitely a "right latitude" for me!

Lake Gitche Gumee

Location coordinates:

47°59'13"N, 89°39'08"W

Near Canadian border, Grand Portage, MN

There is something about large bodies of water that beckons me. Growing up in southern California, I spent countless days at the beaches - both sandy and rocky. While we lived in Boston I got my water fix exploring the gorgeous New England coastline. But the majority of my life I have lived in middle America where I've answered my pull toward water with lakes and rivers. I've seen portions of all of the Great Lakes over the years, but hands down my favorite is the great inland sea - Lake Superior, or Gitche Gumee as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow called it in The Song of Hiawatha (derived from the native Ojibwe or Chippewa word of Gichigami meaning "big water").

Minnesota's north shore region begins in Duluth and travels northeastward up scenic Highway 61 to the Canadian border near Grand Portage. The road along the shoreline offers incredible scenery, interesting lighthouses, state parks, campgrounds, and lakeside resorts. Saturday we followed the route up to Grand Marais, MN (about 110 miles beyond Duluth). We were determined to make it all the way to Canada, so Sunday morning we continued on about 40 miles toward Grand Portage. The sun was out, the lake was calm and exceptionally blue, and new spring leaves on the plentiful white-bark birch trees were just beginning to show themselves. Just north of Grand Portage the road rises a bit in elevation and veers slightly away from the lake as it negotiates around a peninsula. Then suddenly you are greeted with the amazing view shown above. From this point you can also see Isle Royale National Park, an island that is part of Michigan, which is another destination on my must-see list. Just a few miles further is the Canadian border and the province of Ontario. I had left my passport at home, so we turned back and headed southwest toward Duluth.

We rounded out the excursion with a short hike to Upper Falls on the Brule River ("latitude" 47°49'11"N, 90°03'08"W). It was perfect hiking weather with crisp air temperatures in the low forties. Being early in the season we had the trail virtually to ourselves. White birch were everywhere and were mixed with lots of fragrant pines. The sound of wind in the trees competed with the roar of the rushing river flowing down it's rocky course to the big lake. We could have spend all day hiking the trails, but we had to be back in Minneapolis by 7pm, so our trek was cut short.

If you stand on Superior's rocky shoreline you could swear you were gazing across an ocean. So, as I can satisfy my spirit's desire to see large water very nicely along this path, I will be making many trips to this region. I can even be bestowed the rank of "Lake Superior Admiral by Land" by the North of Superior Tourism Association if I complete the designated lake circle tour. Am I going for it? Oh yeah, you betcha!

Nicollet Island

Location coordinates:
44°59'12"N, 93°15'49" W
Nicollet Island, Minneapolis, MN


The Grand Rounds Scenic Byway is a roughly fifty-mile system of pedestrian and bicycle trails around the Minneapolis metro area. I am a huge fan and an avid user of the Grand Rounds trails. I have covered most of the trails this past year, but one segment of the system has troubled me for some time. I've previously made three attempts to ride downtown all the way to the Mississippi River approaching from the southwest. To do so, however, requires riding a strip of heavily traveled road through a, shall we say, less-than-perfect industrial part of town. My earlier efforts always ended the same: I chickened out! I set my sights on a fourth attempt yesterday with a solid goal and high determination. The result was successful and the reward was my discovery of interesting bits of Minneapolis history.

I forged through the aforementioned segment, cautiously sharing the roadway with massive trucks while safely passing through what I previously thought was a creepy section of downtown (it wasn't bad after all). I then found myself in the popular residential warehouse loft district before arriving at the riverfront trail. I'll be honest - I've seen more scenic urban rivers. But the Minneapolis riverfront area has much to offer. Sites such as Mill Ruins Park (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mill_Ruins_Park), Mill City Museum (http://www.millcitymuseum.org/), and the famous Guthrie Theatre (http://www.guthrietheater.org/) are all there for my future exploration. On this excursion I focused on Nicollet Island, situated in the middle of the Mississippi River between downtown on the west bank and the St. Anthony Main area on the east bank.

After crossing an iron bridge built in 1887 I was in front of the Nicollet Island Inn (http://www.nicolletislandinn.com/), a very romantic-looking historical building housing a hotel and restaurant . I didn't go inside, but I made note to check it out for future date nights and special occasions. On the south side of the island is a park along with a pavilion which looks like a great place for dances, wedding receptions and the like. As I continued riding to the north side of the island I found several impressive Victorian-era homes. I certainly didn't expect to find a setting reminiscent of a small village of the 1890s on an island practically a stone's throw away from downtown. What an interesting place this must be for the lucky few who can call Nicollet Island home. They are right in the heart of everything urban, yet they can sequester themselves on their island for a feel of living in the past.

Inconsistent with the island's Victorian feel is the Grain Belt Beer sign (pictured), prominently standing near the Hennepin Avenue bridge. Out of place? Perhaps. But you can't help but love the uniqueness and simplicity of the sign which has been an area landmark since the early 1940s.

Eventually I retraced my path and headed for home. I had a great ride and have now conquered my least favorite part of the Grand Rounds trails. More rides downtown are ahead. I'll be busy - there's a lot to see and do.

Sailboat Season 2010

Location coordinates:

44°54'40"N, 93°18'31"W
Lake Harriet, Minneapolis, MN


My April 1st post about the ice out event on Lake Harriet posed the question "I wonder when the sailboats will return?". Well, the answer is on or around May 1st. While taking my near-daily bike ride around the lake last week I noticed buoys spread out like loose netting in the water near the band shell. These are set out by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and boat owners wanting to moor their boats can do so for $400 - $500 per season. The first boat arrived last weekend (pictured), and so another sailing season is underway.

Lake Harriet is one of a chain of lakes located in southwest Minneapolis. The chain begins with Cedar Lake to the north which links to Lake of the Isles, and then Lake Calhoun, and ends with Lake Harriet in the south. All four lakes are extremely popular with Minneapolitans and suburbanites alike, and recreational activities are plentiful year round. Being fortunate enough to live just 1 1/2 blocks from Lake Harriet, I enjoy the lakes just about every day, whether it is riding around the bike trails, walking the pedestrian paths, or simply sitting by the lakeside at sunset while watching the planes flying directly overhead as they either leave from or arrive at Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport. (I am a certified airliner geek. Yes, it's kind of weird. But I'm not ashamed of my goofy fascination with planes.)

Yesterday afternoon I set out to photographically document sailboat #1. As I stood on a dock concentrating on snapping photos I suddenly heard wild screams toward my right. Quickly glancing that direction, I caught the sight of two young guys running down an adjacent dock at full speed. At the end of the deck they leaped dramatically into the air and swan dived into the water. Now remember, just four weeks ago this lake was frozen solid, so I'm assuming the water is still frigid. Well, our manly men were out of that water in about ten seconds emitting boisterous sounds of their obvious discomfort. I was barely able to grab a shot (above) before they were hauling themselves back out onto the dock and running for a warm towel. Ah, the testosterone-filled male ages of sixteen to twenty, when it's all about showing each other and the world your machismo.

My attention turned to the sane people on the shore. Winter around the lake was great, but it was obvious everyone is ready to embrace the warmer season. Moods were definitely upbeat. The concession stand has reopened and people lined up for popcorn, hot dogs, and ice cream. By the time I headed toward home a happy crowd had gathered to watch as sailboat #2 was being backed into the water at the boat launch. It won't be long until summer, which brings free concerts, sailboat racing, and lots of community events. I've got to say there really is nothing better than four season living.