3 replies to this topic

[KevinKorell]

Use this thread to report on our time in Seattle, starting Wednesday, July 13th with our arrival on the Empire Builder, until our departure on Thursday, July 14th on the southbound Cascades.

[KevinKorell]

So after the original 8 arrived into Seattle, we separated. Many went to hotels and were either able to check-in early or had to wait awhile but could store luggage at the hotels until that time. I had Amtrak hold my luggage at King Street Station until I returned for it after dinner.

Mark met us at the station, bringing us up to 9 people. However Dick opted out of the streetcar and LINK ride. Mark, Chris, and I also rode LINK down to the airport and back. Lunch was on our own anywhere. For dinner, 10 of us (including Charlie who joined us for dinner only) ate at Duke's Chowderhouse at South Lake Union which for most included a round trip on the South Lake Union Streetcar.

We accomplished the goals of riding the First Hill Streetcar and the newest portion of LINK between Westlake and UW-Husky Stadium. Mark gave us a little tour of the UW area while we were up on the surface above the deep station for about 20 minutes.

Tomorrow we are on our own until we meet about 10:30 AM at King Street Station, hoping to get decent seats on the Cascades train on which we will leave Seattle behind us.

[BillMagee]

Following on the great trip on the Empire Builder, the Seattle portion of the Fest could have been anticlimactic.  It was not.

 

We arrived before 10am. Despite the time, I took a chance that maybe I could check into my hotel - the Grand Hyatt. I hustled over there by cab, and got my room! That was prefect. I took a killer shower and found a nearby Panera Bread for lunch and chilled after the train ride.

 

After buying my Orca card, I rejoined the group at King Street Station and took the streetcar and light rail rides. Both systems impressed. The streetcar rides provided look at the varied neighborhoods of Seattle.  The last time I was in Seattle, the downtown transit tunnel was only busses.  How times have changed.

 

Our short visit to the University of Washington campus and seeing Husky Stadium was nice.  The weather could not have been better.  My hotel room had a courtesy umbrella in the closet - not needed for this stay.  Dinner at Dukes also impressed, a very good choice.  It was also great to meet Mark in person.  

 

All in all, it was a very nice stay, and a nice way end to my short participation in the Fest.

[Lightning]

I should have posted the picture here.  It was great to see Kevin, Jishnu, Steve and Mike again, as they were in Seattle during the last fest to make its way to this far corner of the US.  New were Bill, Penny, Chris and Dick.  Nice having you all.  Here are the five who left KKS yesterday morning.