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March 1997

Seattle Continued

  

Up fairly early and off to the Denny’s on Mercer Street for a grand slam breakfast. It was a cool Denny’s, which had not yet been renovated into a pastel nightmare. Then off to Seattle Center, site of the 1962 World’s Fair. Site of the Pacific Science Center. Site of the monorail. Site of the Space Needle! I have a strange fascination with tis place and its early 1960’s version of modernism. Not a lot remains, but you can get a feel for what was there. It’s a very contradictory place, promoting high culture and a theme park at the asme time. It’s also strangely seedy, beacuse most of the fair buildings were designed to last six months and they haven’t been maintained particularly well. But I like it. How could I NOT like it?

 

Alas, this was the bulk of our Seattle tourism, given the limited stay. I really wanted to do the Undersground tour. I remeber it from last time, and I figured I’d be even more excited this time. Oh well…there my be plenty of time for me to experience Seattle in the future. But I’m being cryptic again…

  

Homeward

From Seattle to Grant’s Pass was an…ummm…interesting drive. I don’t mind driving in the rain. Or in the mountains. Or at night. But all three at the same time was a bit much. Especially in a car which has not yet gotten used to my driving habits and thus hasn’t devloped “automatic pilot”.

At Grant’s Pass, sleep had to happen. And what a great place. Old motels for miles. The one I chose featured arched doorways,and the room had the remnants of a kitchenette. My guess as to construction date would be about 1940. Great spot. And it had cable…

 

Driving down the California coast on US 101 was a good idea, despite the additional time required. Given the choice, I always take the old road, along the old strips through town. We hit the Redwoods, Eureka, Ukiah, and more. And boy, was I worn out as we crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. I was also strangely unexcited to be home, but that’s another story…