Runnin 'Round Seattle with Mark & Lady Di

This part of our trip rocked ass ....TOTALLY. Wish we'd had camp counselors like these guys in SanFrancisco... things might have gone much much better. As with most cities, Seattle has neighborhoods and we covered a bunch of them in less than 48 hours: first a walk to Upper Queen Anne for provisions, returning for a delightful dinner at Chez Lady Di and then down to Fremont and along the Washington Lake canal, also on foot. Later, more cocktails in Lady's Di's four-story DE-luxe hill house and finally to bed. Next morning...a luxurious slow start, soft boiled eggs & homemade muffins, and then off to Mark's Playboy Pad, picture windows overlooking a commercial seaport filling tanker ships with grain, which is what he's always lusted for as a view. Next, busline downtown to the Bainbridge Ferry and a short walkabout (a way-bit-too 50th & France for anyof our tastes ) but the ferry was an awesome ride with the added color of a bored captain who, after embarking, announced ".... there is good news and bad news.... the bad news is, I have had more accidents at sea than any other captain in Seattle -- but the good news is, I'm not driving the ferry today...." and then went on to point out the safety features of the ferry. (note: once again, coffee cup in hand)


We'd planned that morning to take the Bremerton ferry, on Mark and Di's recommendation, and walk around this last bastion of affordable Seattle real estate (where the artists are moving, sez Di) -- a more colorful, lo-fi territory, befitting our adventurous and acrid tastes. But, it took an hour to get there after waiting an hour and a half for embarking and there was too long a wait for return so we opted for "just a ferry ride" to Bainbridge in lieu of more tantalizing destinations. Next time we visit, touring Bremerton is going to be my primary initiative, since I'm always planning to move somewhere else.

Meanwhile, Mark recounted an anecdote about Bremerton, the Seattle naval base where his ship was docked state side when he was an enlisted sailor, during the Vietnam War. (Those of you who know Mark, imagine him decked out in his blue and white sailor uniform..... wait for it.....!!!! THERE!) He said that since moving to Seattle, he'd had a nostalgic drink at a bar where he used to imbibe with his fellow sailors when they didn't have enough money to make it to the mainland. When they did have money, god only knows what happened upon their arrival in Seattle. You'll have to ask him. And I can't wait to drink some Irish whiskey at that bar.

The dudes did a little blue-collar manly work to bring a little of that "Bremerton vibe" to the too-precious streets of Bainbridge ....
(note: Brent & ... what else?....coffee.... even while lifting heavy objects)
Returning from the ferry we visited an amazing book store and strolled through the downtown area for awhile looking for a place to hold cocktail & appetizer times. Here we are waiting for our hors d'oeuvres, which took over an hour to be delivered, at the Triple Door (a longer story).... there was no gratis food b/w/o apology, but we were thanked "for our patience". Fortunately for them, the food was really really good once it got there.... Lady Di is holding forth and making a good point, as usual. She has been my hero for many years.

And here we are in East Lake at the Zoo (a socialist bar) playing out Nordeast traditions like pool and a cheap pitcher of beer (note: Basil Rathbone: wall photo on the far left -- must be Mark's long lost uncle, right?)
And here's the cab ride that ate my wallet... (gone, gone, gone... classic!) Thankfully, our cash is in the First Aid Kit.

After East Lake we went to Capitol Hill, scarfted some awesome Thai food and then back to Upper Queen Anne for a nightcap and coffee -- the bar was loud and slamming stupid corporate techno for the girls in "retro" 80's garb and the bartenders were assholes. So, returning to Chez Lady Di, we went the last mile as a palate cleanser, cooking up some absinthe for the final final nightcap. I asked for a night of barhopping ... and I got it.

Thanks Mark & Di. Yer the best, as always.... count on it!