Really. You know that South Park episode where they find the guy that's been frozen for the last three years, and when they unfreeze him he can't fit into society so they have to send him to Des Moines because Des Moines is three years behind everywhere else? Now imagine instead of three years its 27 years, and welcome to Bremerton. All the cars are from the '80s, the people look like they're from the '80s (sort of a Chess King/Judy's look), there's absolutely no sign of any chain stores, the marquee in front of the local auditorium was advertising for a "destruction derby," and I swear I heard that Twilight Zone music. There was a store that said "Compact Discs and Tapes." Tapes. My black rotary dial phone thinks that town is behind the times. Creepy.
Well, today was a bit more fun-filled, so let's dig in. Woke up early (8 a.m.-back off I'm on vacation), and went to run the Burke-Gilman trail. Its one of the outstanding running/biking trails I've ever seen, running through North Seattle, UW, and through to the lake. It runs really close to where Tom lived, which is about where I got on. Lots of people use it for their daily commute-saw a lot of people dressed for work riding their bicycle, which is a strange sight for a Texan. Speaking of strange sights, I saw blackberries on the vine, and apple trees filled with apples. Yes, I thought to pick one, and yes, the first thing I thought of was the talking apple trees in Wizard of Oz yelling at Dorothy. That doesn't mean anything, does it? I neglected to mention this, but I also saw a lot of cherry trees in the Seattle Center-a cherry fell out of one of the trees and hit me in the head during one of the shows (I'm now busy writing The Principia Volume II).
On to Noah's Bagels, then back to the hotel for check out. Back to the University District for lunch (pizza) at Pagliacci's Pizza, routinely selected best in Seattle. It was quite good, but I still vote for Mangia as current best (Valian's as all-time best). After leaving, while sitting in my car checking the map, some guy started yelling at me from across the street. I didn't understand what he was saying, but then it was apparent he was Russian (or from one of those Eastern European countries, sincerely Reggie White), and he was asking me what country my car was from. That was weird. By the way, these two weeks I'm rocking the PT Cruiser convertible. Quite the imposing sight, as you can see. It looks like Fred Flintstone's car.
After packing, I drove through Wallingford for a bit. Wallingford is kind of a funky neighborhood. Lots of neighborhood bars, pizza places, small restaurants, and smallish houses.
Then on to Safeco Field to buy a ticket for next Thursday night's Mariners-Devil Rays game, followed by the ferry ride to Bremerton. The ride lasts about an hour, but you get awesome views of Puget Sound and Bainbridge Island along the way. Some doofus on the ferry got his girlfriend to lean over the stern railing and do the Titanic flying thing. Big problem-the whole point of that scene (in the movie) was that it took place at the bow, as they were moving forward, to a new life together. Not the stern, idiot. I hate it when people totally botch their popular culture references.
Back from that necessary aside to now describe the trip from Bremerton to Port Angeles. Today was pretty much crystal clear, and the drive takes you along the coast of the Olympic Peninsula through evergreen forests that skirt the base of the Olympic Mountains. Every now and then I could see past the trees to the Strait of San Juan de Fuca, beyond which lies Canada.
Now I'm in Port Townsend staying in a hotel that looks like the one where that Okie guy in Officer and a Gentleman hung himself, paying $189/night. Sounds like its way above marginal cost-the PUC needs to do an investigation and protect the public. The only radio station I can receive is in Victoria, BC, and even the "internet cafe" here closes at 6. Somehow, the stores all take Canadian money (or pelts, or whatever they're using up there), but I've counted at least three Mexican restaurants. Oh, and you have to use a "crosswalk flag" when you cross the street. I'll have a picture up tomorrow.
Yesterday's and today's pictures are also up at the link in yesterday's post.
Tomorrow-hiking Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.
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