Devoted (and therefore sexy) CoffeeBetsy readers will recall that New Job is causing me to spend quite a bit of time traveling. Two weeks ago found me in exotic Chanhassen, Minnesota, where I got up in the wee hours of the morning and ran on a trail around a frozen lake. It was astonishly beautiful.
Right now, I am traveling again, this time in Seattle (which thus increased the population of runners named Betsy in the city to two). I spent a pivotal summer here living with Steve, and this is the first time I've been back. I knew that, thanks to work, there'd be little time for sightseeing, but there was one easy solution to that.
I got up early, laced up my shoes, and hit the road.
I started off at my hotel, which by sheer coincidence is connected to the mall where I worked that summer. Then, I headed to the Space Needle. The Space Needle is surrounded by museums that we could not afford to go to because we were incredibly poor, so I paid tribute to that by not going in any of them (that and it was 6:00 in the morning). I also visited the carnival area where Steve and I used to walk and eat cotton candy. There is a wee little roller coaster there that we dubbed The Pissy Mouse, because that was about how threatening it was.
From there, I headed back towards the hotel, running past Pike Place Market. Most of the booths weren't set up yet, but the smells of freshly baked bread and hot coffee filled the air. In fact, I regret that I didn't keep an ongoing tally of espresso places that I passed along the way. It verged on parody.
Next, I ran to Pioneer Square, more great coffee places and bookstores, and a bunch of bars that are probably now teeming with people drinking green beer.
Back to the hotel with a few added twists and turns, I was filled with memories. I felt completely connected to the city again - and to Steve, far away though he may have been.
7 comments:
I've never been to Seattle, but I want to go one day. Being able to choose a coffee/espresso place with such ease must be nice (the first 100 times or so)
Sounds like you picked a great run! It must be nice to reminisce.
I've never been to Seattle either, but that little description you have kinda makes me want to go. Interesting...
Seattle is one of those on-my-list cities. I'll get there. Possibly not until my children are out of college, but I'll get there.
"Back to the hotel with a few added twists and turns, I was filled with memories. I felt completely connected to the city again - and to Steve, far away though he may have been."
Its these kinds of things which make running the great thing that it is.
I lobe running while I am in Seattle. I did it again a couple weeks ago and found out I'll get the opportunity to do it again end of March. The East side runners in Redmond are a great group to run with, and while Redmond might not be as picturesque as the wharf or downtime area, it's got some nice hills to charge up.
Oh cool. You are discovering one of my favorite things about traveling, the runs in new places! Sounds heavenly.
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