One if by Land

Sight-seeing in Boston is  infinitely simple.  Not only does that big red line they've painted on the ground and called The Freedom Trail make everything easy to locate, but it is all so close together.  One of the benefits of being one of our founding cities...the majority of it was built before cars - you can walk to almost everything.


Some of what I saw:

Paul Revere with the Old North Church in the Background.  Turns out Paul Revere had 16 kids.  Who knew?

The Old North Church.

North Square.

I'm not sure that North Square is used for anything these days.   What with the cobble stones and the smallness.  I did, however, see 2 young men taking a smoke break from their restaurant job.  So perhaps it does still have a use.  Besides the super cool chains and cobble stones.  I know it's historical and all, but I would probably have stayed a bit longer there if there were some benches there.  Just a suggestion.  

My Poor Left Foot

I think it started in Spain. I jumped from a hill to scare someone coming around the corner of a wheat field. I landed wrong and twisted my left foot. I was laid up for a day then had to transfer the next day. Luggage toting and all.

Then a few years ago I was walking along (ok, rushing) at work and I stumbled. Broke my left foot.

Then a few months ago I got plantar faciitis in my left foot.

And Monday? Well Monday I took a tumble and sprained my left foot. My poor left foot.

Here it is in a surgery boot I got from Urgent Care.

And here it is in the Air Cast I got from my podiatrist.

And here is the lunch I had about 10 minutes prior to the spraining incident. I got it from the Maximus-Minimus food truck and stopped by the Locks to eat with some gorgeous scenery. Pulled pork with the Maximus Slaw, THE Mac & Cheese and Ginger Lemonade/Hibiscus Nectar beverage. If you come to Seattle, I recommend the Maximus-Minimus food truck. The pulled pork is not overly sauced and some of the bits are a bit crunchy.  The cilantro/radish slaw adds an unexpected kick of flavor. And the mixing of the beverages was inspired...thanks food truck employee for the suggestion!  Yum Yum

Into the Sunset

I'm a fan of riding the ferry.  I think it's probably because I like being on the water (or really anywhere near water).  

Friday evening there was a rather long queue at the ferry terminal so we had a bit of a wait.  We were able to see a parasailer. 

Ferries going to and from Bremerton and Bainbridge.

And, of course, the sunset.

It really is quite beautiful here.

Shilshole & Salmon Bays

I've been heading over to Magnolia at least monthly for the past year.  It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I realized exactly how close I was to the Ballard Locks.  Last week I stopped by for a quick visit.  

One thing I really like about Seattle is that there are parts of the area that are only 10 minutes from downtown, yet seem hours away from traffic intensive hustle and bustle.  Magnolia is one of my favorite locations for this reason.  It is very peaceful to sit and just be.  

I saw no fish while at the Locks, but I did see a bunch of folks standing around looking for fish.  The above bridge sounds just like a bridge should when it is raising and lowering...loud and creaky.  I enjoy hearing it from WTHIM's place when I'm working.

Living where they live, WTHIM gets to see some pretty interesting things. HUGE yachts going through the Locks, bald eagles hanging out in the trees above their house or people doing yoga on surfboards.  That's quite the tumble if you lose your balance, right?

Boston Highlight

On my way to Scanda Scotia, I stopped in Boston for two days. It was a treat. Good food, great surroundings and history. Above is the George Wright sandwich from Mulligans. It's turkey, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce all surrounded by a crusty roll. This might just be the best sandwich I've ever had. I tried to go back a week later when we were back in Boston for the 4th of July - but unfortunately they were closed for 10 days. Major bummer.

Copley Square (more on that later) might be my favorite area of Boston (of what I saw). There was a mini farmer's market going on when I was there.

A rose from Christopher Columbus Park.

Kiss the Sky

Did you know Jimi Hendrix is buried in Renton, Washington? Yeah, me neither. Of course, you probably have no idea where Renton is. It is just south of Bellevue/Newcastle (Newcastle used to be part of Renton until about 17 years ago when it incorporated). There are two things I found interesting.

First thing...there is a little hole in the middle of the monument that has some flowers in it. And around the hole, people have placed guitar pick. What I found very interesting is that most of the guitar pick were actually made from gift cards. The green and white one above is from a Starbucks gift card and the grey and white one is from a Target gift card. So my question is: If you are going to leave a guitar pick to honor Jimi Hendrix...why not leave one that you actually use, like the one at the bottom right. I mean, I guess a memorial pick is a memorial pick no matter how cheap you are, right?

Second thing: This amazing area next to the Jimi Hendrix Memorial. I just loved it. So peaceful and symmetrical. Also, it reminds me of Mulan, which is never a bad thing.

Amélie Game

Here we go: 3 likes and 3 dislikes

While in Kansas/Missouri I learned that one of Monet's Water Lilies triptychs was on display at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. When would I ever get the chance to see that? Not anytime soon. So I made the 35 minute trek into Kansas City with a friend of mine and we headed to see the Water Lilies. They were amazing. On the way back through the museum we took some time to look at whatelse the museum had to offer, and this might be one of my favorite pieces of art ever. It's called Starboat (Tugboat and Riverboat) by Wayne Thiebaud. The reflection of the boat in the water looks as if it's been carved out of the yellow paint. And the colors are just bright and shiny.

These mug/bowl things are at Pier 1 Imports. I like several things about them: their size, they could be bowls or mugs; their nesting ability, they stack perfectly; and that they are colorful.

I had never seen yellow Calla Lilies before. They were bright and gorgeous. And quite surprising to see for sale outside the QFC.

Kansas City BBQ was a disappointment. The meat was either dry and stringy or mostly fat. Being the huge fan of Andrew's Rib Shack that I am, and it being Kansas City BBQ, I thought I'd be in heaven in actual KC. Turns out, not so much. If I ever go back, I think I'll need to try more BBQ, just to be sure it was not a fluke.

That I haven't kept up with computer technology. I moved from computers to cell phones - I know those. And I am completely behind with computers. I shopped for a modem, a router and a Blu-Ray drive yesterday and sounded like a complete moron.

The bad dancers on SYTYCD. I don't think they are funny. I just think it's sad.