It was time for our annual trip to Seattle for the Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival. We go every year, since 2001, making this our 14th year in a row. And we love it more than ever.
I’ll post some pictures soon, but first, here’s what we did on our trip.
Tuesday August 26
We usually fly out on Wednesday but we added an extra day this year so we could get to Seattle on Petra’s birthday. We left in the early morning to give us more time there. We caught the Super Shuttle (Blue Van) to the airport, where Mama O (Linda) and Aunt Sam met us and off we went. It was a quick Southwest flight. In Seattle, we took the convenient light rail and soon arrived at our hotel, The Camlin. It was too early to check in so they held our luggage for us while we went out in search of some fun. First stop was lunch at Cyber-Dogs, an all vegetarian hot dog place, very funky and very cool. After that we caught the monorail over to the Seattle Center. We sat a while at one of Petra’s happy places, the International Fountain.
Then we walked to the nearby Metropolitan Market (formerly known as Larry’s) for some supplies for the week. We took them back on the monorail to the hotel. Next stop was El Borracho, where they have a great happy hour including vegan and regular tacos and El Cheapo margaritas. We met Mama O and Sam there and spent a few hours with them eating, drinking, and talking. Then we all walked back to the hotel. On the way we watched a street break-dancing competition for a while and then we went back to the room. It was a great first day and Petra had a nice birthday doing what she wanted. Happy Birthday, Petra B!!
Wednesday August 27
We headed out late morning for an early lunch at the Veggie Grill in downtown Seattle with Mama O and Sam. It’s an all-vegan chain and quite tasty. After lunch we took the monorail to the Seattle center and walked through that to get to the bus, which we took a couple miles to Bedrock Industries. They make things, lots of things, out of recycled glass. Petra bought an 8 inch glass “lollipop” to replace one that the dogs accidentally broke. Then we caught a different bus over to the Ferry Terminal. We took the ferry to nearby Bainbridge Island, where we looked around a bit and while there we kicked back for a while at Doc’s Marina Grill with some refreshing beverages.
Sufficiently chillaxed, we caught a ferry back to the mainland and Petra and I rode the Great Wheel, a giant ferris wheel on the waterfront. We’ve seen it there the last few years but finally tried it this year. Not scary in the slightest and the views were wonderful since it was near sunset. Mama and Sam headed back to the room but Petra and I headed over to El Borracho for the happy hour. Our other friends Cal and Laura had arrived in Seattle today and they met us for some happy hour libations. And we all wished Cal a happy birthday! Then it was time to go back to the room, after a very full and very nice day.
Thursday August 28
Petra and I caught a bus to the University District, an easy and quick trip and well worth it. First stop was brunch at the Wayward Vegan Cafe. All vegan and a huge menu, I had a vegan omelet. You don’t get those very many places. It was good too. Then, after a quick stop at Walgreen’s for various supplies, we went to Half-Price Books. This is a big two-story store with good prices and good selection. Then we made a quick, well ok not that quick, stop at Neptune Music to look at CDs and vinyl. We looked for those too at Al’s but didn’t find much there. So we walked to Vegan Haven all-vegan store. We bought a book and some snacks for later and by that time it was the hour for Pizza Pi to open, which we had been waiting for. It’s a great pizza place and everything is vegan. Yeah baby. So good that we got a couple pizzas and took them on the bus back to the hotel room for later!
In the room, we had a refreshing beverage or two with Mama O and Sam, then Petra and I took the monorail back to the Seattle Center. Our destination was the Pacific Science Center where we watch a Beatles laser show. It was pretty good and fun. We ended with that, taking the monorail back to the room and called it a night, which it was.
Friday August 29
We had brunch at the 5 Point Cafe, a semi-dicey bar and restaurant, known for it’s slogan “We cheat drunks and tourists” among other things. The drinks are strong and the food is actually pretty good, with a few vegan options too. Petra’s friend Margaret had arrived in Seattle and met us there too. Next, we all headed over to the nearby Experience Music Project, a great music museum that you need to go to. It also has a science fiction museum but the music museum is seriously great. Then Petra and I walked across the Seattle Center to pick up our VIP Platinum Passes for the Bumbershoot Music and Arts Festival, starting tomorrow! But before the actual festival there are some day-before preview events to see so that you don’t spend valuable festival time doing that.
We went to the Visual Arts rooms first. There were about 7-8 different art installations, which brought home the point that art can be many things to many people. But most of it was interesting and well worth seeing. After that, we had a little free time so we picked up a few supplies at the nearby Metropolitan Market and then back to the Seattle Center, specifically the Blue Water Taco Grill for a dinner of sorts. They had vegan taco options and drinks and well that was that. Then it was time for the Film Festival preview, where we met back up with Mama O and Sam. It was 6-7 short films, a bit over two hours total. This is always a mixed bag but intriguing and interesting. One of the films, “Fools Day” was really great, watch for it if it ever comes around where you are. Really. Then we went back to the room to get some rest. After all, we had a Festival to go to the next three days!
Part 2 coming soon…
What do you think? Leave me a comment!
