Seattle

Seattle has added some great new places since we were here way back in 1986. We started our tour at the Koolhaus-designed library. Not surprising for this area, the library is state of the art, though the book delivery system looked like a re-invention of the pneumatic tube of old. The children’s area is inviting with lots of space to read, toys to manipulate and wonderful wall sculptures to admire. Color is key to the interior with the escalator’s bright green and a meditation hall in vivid red.

After a quick taco lunch (yes tacos in the Northwest) we took a tour of the wonderful symphony hall. The noon tour includes a chance to hear the orchestra rehearse. We sat in the back top of the tiers and found the acoustics so excellent that we could hear the conductor conversing with the first violinist. Sadly, we cannot stay to attend a concert in this magnificent facility.

Our next visit was to the Experimental Music Project/Science Fiction Museum founded by Paul Allen, previously of Microsoft. The building is a typical Frank Gehry design with giant wraparound sheets of various colors of metal. Our reviews of the design were mixed.

Anna Lee did enjoy creating her own tree and Jerry had fun being in a CGI movie.

The room with recorded stories from people in music or sci fi fields were interesting. The museum has had three incarnations and is yet to get it right. We found it mostly confusing and underwhelming.

Later a short walk through the sculpture garden provided some fun photo ops. Cheryl found some new friends and enjoyed getting ready for the marathon.

We were joined at dinner by two friends of C and D’s. The dinner at Queen’s City Grill was very good and the conversations great fun. Tomorrow we will be on the road heading down to Portland.