Never Say Die – Astoria to Cannon Beach

 If you can instantly identify the Truffle Shuffle and have an urge for Baby Ruths, a trip to the Oregon coast is a must.  At the end of a 3 hour drive south of Seattle lies the city of Astoria, Oregon.  Astoria is probably best known as the filming location for the cult film Goonies.   The city has embraced its film locales by turning the jailhouse from the beginning of Goonies into the Oregon Film Museum. 

Scattered throughout the rest of the city are various other film locales such as the bowling alley where Chunk smeared the window and  the Captain George Flavel House Museum where Mikey’s dad supposedly worked, but the pinnacle of locations to visit is definitely the Goonies House itself.  The Victorian Style house sits at the top of a short gravel driveway with a sign that not only lets you know you’ve found the right place, but that Goonies are welcome to walk up but not drive.  The house hasn’t changed much since the movie, but then again that’s the beauty of it. 

From the Goonies locations we headed up to the Astoria Column which was built in 1926 and was refurbished in 1995 and 2004.  The Column rises up 125 feet above the hilltop and, after climbing to the observation platform at the top, it has the most amazing views of the ocean, Columbia River and the surrounding hills and valleys. 

The final location to cap off the Goonies theme to our trip was a stop at Cannon Beach to take in Haystack Rock.  The large stone monolith juts out the ocean leaving no doubt that you have found what you were looking for.  The only thing missing is a galleon sailing out to sea.  http://www.thegoonies.org/

Take Your Breath Away - Kerry Park

Every city has that one spot that you have to see the cityscape from.  Seattle is lucky enough to have several, although Queen Anne’s Kerry Park is probably the most recognizable and the one you are most likely to be directed to when visiting.  The spectacular, panoramic views of downtown Seattle, West Seattle, the Olympic peninsula and majestic Mt. Rainer were given to the populace in 1927 when Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sperry Kerry, Sr. donated the land “so that all who stop here may enjoy this view."   The low stone wall sits on the edge of a steep hill that leads down to the lesser known Lower Kerry Park which has areas for picnics, a playground and a basketball court, but the real draw here is the view.  No matter what day you visit, the incredible view will not disappoint, but on the right day, at the right time the view is magical and the city burns itself into your mind. http://www.seattle.gov/parks/

Dungeons & Dinner - AFK Tavern

Crave a spicy Dragon Burger or a +1 plate of fries and some entertainment to boot? This is your restaurant.  I have been known to pack around a deck of cards or a dice game to while away the time at restaurants and bars.  At AFK Tavern this is a nonissue.  The self-proclaimed “place for geeks and gamers” supplies you with a list of “Games on Tap” right along with your menu.  Spanning the gaming spectrum with choices in card, dice, board, roleplaying, PS3 and XBOX games, the list is a bit daunting at first, but the staff is more than happy to give advice and let you know their favorites.  The atmosphere is relaxed with several groups of people enjoying the game selection while eating.  Did I mention they serve food?  The menu covers much of what you would expect at a tavern with some pleasant twists in the mix. The fried pickle caps are crispy without the usual sogginess you usually encounter and all of our sandwiches were well put together with a nice balance of flavors.   Best of all our food was delivered to the table amidst a challenging game of Space Invaders on a vintage Atari.  http://www.afktavern.com

Food On Wheels - El Camion

In many cities street food is becoming a way of life. Food trucks are springing up all around the country with a massive variety of offerings to satisfy any palate.   Sometimes, though, when people go with the traditional take on an idea, they give their clients something worth talking about. El Camion, “the truck”, is just that, a large kitchen on wheels that serves amazing, authentic Mexican food that will make your mouth water and your brain demand more.  Easily one of the best food trucks in the city, the distinctive glossy black trailers hide the bustling kitchen inside, with quick service as soon as you approach the window.  El Camion currently has three locations that cover north and south as well as Seattle itself making an ideal location for lunch wherever you are.   My personal weakness is the Torta, a Mexican sandwich made on a grilled bread roll similar to a French bread.  The veggie Torta is smothered in grilled vegetables and topped with lettuce, mayonnaise, avocado, tomato, jalapeno and pico de gallo and garnished with a roasted jalapeño.  The combination of the soft, seared bread and the fresh grilled veggies is amazing.   Although the Tortas are certainly large enough for a meal, I find myself pondering a second one every time.   http://www.elcamionseattle.com/

Get Your Geek On -Emerald City Comicon

Once a year thousands of people gather under one roof downtown Seattle and wave their Geek Credentials proudly.  I am one of those people.  Emerald City Comicon is a destination not to be missed.  Since 2003, Emerald City Comicon has been hosting world class artists and celebrities for a weekend of shopping, sharing, exploring, cosplay, panels, and of course autographs.  This year was no different as the organizers of the Comicon continued to bring the big guns. William Shatner.  There I said it. I attended the Comicon, he attended the Comicon.  I didn’t get a chance to see him but then again he didn’t get a chance to see me either, so I think that makes us even (although we did see an amazing Captian Kirk circa 1967).  Other than celebrity sightings, the Comicon has an astounding array of vendors for everything from Golden Era Comics to custom-made fangs while you wait, with vintage toys, various games and collectables also being heavily represented.   DC Comics, XBOX, Image Comics and Dark Horse embodied some of the bigger names there, but they were far outnumbered by the smaller, independent publishers, web comics and of course the artists themselves.    We spent a single day roaming the exhibition hall, seeing old friends, playing games and meeting the incredible talent, and in that time we realized eight hours just may not be enough.   http://www.emeraldcitycomicon.com/

Historic Green Space - Kubota Garden

Few green spaces in Seattle have as interesting of a backstory as the Kubota Garden.  Initially created by Fujitaro Kubota in 1927, the gardens were a place where he could craft, design, grow and display the greenery for the Japanese-style gardens he installed in the Puget Sound area.  Since that time, the Gardens have grown to nearly 20 acres, been abandoned during WWII when the family was placed in an internment camp, restored by Fujitaro and his sons and declared a Historical Landmark of the City Of Seattle in 1981.  We arrived at the Gardens on a chilly February afternoon and as soon as we entered the gorgeous gates we realized we virtually had the entire Gardens to ourselves. The construction of the ponds and waterfalls along the walkways is somehow massive and delicate simultaneously and the winding paths constantly led us to new corners to be explored.   Of particular note were the multiple footbridges ranging from the small, hand-cut stone paths up to the large moon bridge that symbolizes the difficulty of living a good life: "Hard to walk up and hard to walk down."  Even in the slightly drifting snow, Kubota Garden kept us entranced and exploring its many pathways.   We can’t wait to return in the spring when the flowers are in bloom…and the weather is more hospitable. http://www.kubotagarden.org/visit/about-the-garden/

Smell The Ocean Air - Seattle Waterfront

 There is something about the waterfront of any city on the ocean.  Each has its own character that shines through. The Seattle waterfront is no different.  Packed full of restaurants, gift shops, tour groups and activities, the waterfront is an easy place to lose an afternoon.  We began at Pike Place Market and descended the stairs through the “Down Under” region and continued down along the Pike Place Hillclimb to the piers.   

Our first stop was the Bay Pavilion (or Miners Landing depending on your preference) at Pier 57.  Starting at the back of the pier, we watched the vintage carousel spin round, entertaining young and old alike.  In the arcade area, the sound of calliope music mixes with the more modern soundtracks of the assorted video games. At $1.50 per ride the carousel is worth a ride if you have the time.  

From Pier 57 we headed to Ye Old Curiosity Shop located at Pier 54.  No visit to Seattle is complete without a visit to this amazing collection of curios and gifts. The Ye Old Curiosity Shop was established in 1899 and is still going strong today.  Inside you will find an astonishing assortment of the weird and unusual ranging from fleas in evening wear and antique scrimshaw work to genuine shrunken heads and mummies.  Amidst the curious collection is perhaps Seattle’s only landmark gift shop or rather gift shop turned landmark.  The Curiosity Shop carries an eclectic array of knick-knacks and souvenirs to cover the entire spectrum of gift giving for every event ...or perhaps just for yourself.   

After a long look through Ye Old Curiosity Shop, the logical next stop is next door at Ivar’s restaurant.   If you have the time you can head inside for a nice sit down meal, but the true experience is outside at the walk-up windows.   They do things a bit different out here.  Once you know what you want, approach the window, get the workers attention and shout out the fried items of your order.  Don’t worry, they seem to have steel traps for minds and will not forget your order even if there are dozens of people yelling out.   When your items are cooked the cashier will add anything not deep-fried (drinks, coleslaw, chowder, etc.) and then get you on your way.  Around the corner from this chaos are rows of benches, tables and a covered eating area. The covered area is great for the rainy days, but if it's nice out you are denying yourself part of the experience:  Seagulls.  As you eat, these scavengers of the sky will creep ever closer until they are nearly sitting at the table with you.  As opposed to most of the areas in the city, feeding these wild animals is encouraged, with the sky filling with the sound of beating wings as soon as food is presented.  If you’re feeling daring you can hand feed these scavengers of the skies…Just count your fingers afterward.

http://www.seattlewaterfront.org/ 

http://www.pier57seattle.com/

http://www.yeoldecuriosityshop.com/ 

http://www.ivars.com/

Hidden Gems – Anita’s Crepes

Every neighborhood has its favorite haunts, local bars and secret eateries.  Anita’s Crepes may have just hit all three in a single visit. We arrived early on a Friday evening without a reservation not realizing how busy they would be.  The host (who also happened to be our server) was apologetic that there weren’t any available tables but was quick to locate seats at the “bar” for us.  Anita’s menu changes periodically based on seasonal availability of the ingredients, so each visit has the potential to bring new creations to your palate.  We started the evening with two amazing drinks: a hand-squeezed lemonade that was just the right balance of sweet and tart and a banana soda, which is comprised of banana and cream muddled in a tall glass and topped with a spritz of soda water.  We followed that up with a smoked salmon and spinach crepe that came with a homemade tzatziki sauce on the side.  To follow up the savory crepe we tried two of the desert crepes: The tried and true Banana/Nutella and one that combined two of our favorite things, the Crème Brulee .  Although the Banana/Nutella delivered as promised with a nice balance between the subtle sweetness of the fruit and the stronger chocolate hazelnut, the Crème Brulee was the stand out.  The warm, soft crepe was the ideal backdrop for the slightly salty, crunchy caramel and rich custard.  The food and atmosphere make Anita’s worth revisiting….Perhaps with a reservation next time. http://www.anitascrepes.com/

Explore Nature - Discovery Park

To fully experience the grandeur of Seattle’s commitment to green spaces, a visit to Discovery Park is in order.  The park’s 534 acres transition through a broad spectrum of habitats and environments ranging from heavily forested areas and large grassy fields to paths that wind through the beachfront woods to the expansive beach itself.  We began our hiking and exploring from the south parking lot, first heading to the amazing overlook with its magnificent views of Mt. Anderson and the rest of the Olympic and Cascade Ranges.   Once you arrive at the park, it’s easy to spend the entire day meandering through the area’s nearly 12 miles of trails. The large sandy patch at the head of several of the trails is the perfect meeting place, allowing you to head off in several directions each leading to its own unique locale.  We headed down the Loop Trail, taking time to explore the hollows in trees and keep an eye out for the Bald Eagles that are sometimes sighted along the tree line. One of the things that always strikes me about the park is the lack of intruding city sounds. Shortly after you leave the parking areas, the sound of traffic fades away leaving you with your thoughts.  Discovery Park has yet to fail us as an excellent place to visit amid the bustling city. http://www.cityofseattle.net/parks/Environment/discovparkindex.htm

                                 

Get Inked – artCore Studios

What better way to enjoy a city than to permanently mark yourself while there. On a night when we had just planned to have a nice dinner, we found ourselves sitting down in a parlor and letting a fantastic artist permanently mark us. Georgetown, once a largely industrial fueled area, has metamorphed into a burgeoning artist community complete with a Vegan Bar and Tattoo/Art Gallery.  When we visited the former only to be told their stove died, we found ourselves at the latter talking to Chris about possible artwork.  Chris is an easy-to-talk-to, laidback professional who eschews the standard "too cool" attitude so prevalent among most tattoo artists.  He listened to our semi-vague ideas about what we wanted and came back with great art that we’ll be proud to show off.  The shop also doubles as an art gallery with the current artist, Sullivan Giles, displaying her amazingly detailed hand-cut stencil spray paint artwork.  All in all, artCore delivers more than your average parlor, both in personnel and personality.  http://www.artcoreseattle.com/