Issaquah, WA – Days Nine – Twelve

After about 54 hours of riding time over eight days, we have finally made it 3034 miles (give or take on all those stats, but they’re pretty close) to Issaqhah, Washington! I have rarely in my life been so glad to arrive somewhere as I was to pull into that hotel parking lot Thursday afternoon.

We unloaded everything and got cleaned up, then headed to meet Price and Nathan for dinner.

The next day, we went into Seattle and met Price at her office. The view from the floor where she works is amazing. To the left, you see the ships and barges that come into the Sound, and to the right, you see the Olympic Mountains in the distance.

We met some of her coworkers, then walked over to Pike’s market for lunch and just to look around. I pointed out the original Starbucks to Leon, who was only mildly impressed.

After Pike’s market, we headed back to Price and Nathan’s apartment, where we ate dinner and hung out with the dog. Of course, Leon was Merlin’s favorite. He would hardly leave Leon alone.

On Saturday, we went on a tour of the Theo Chocolate Factory in Fremont. I’d seen Theo chocolate in higher end stores in Fort Worth, but I didn’t know they were based in Seattle. It was really interesting, and I made myself absolutely sick eating all the free chocolate samples.

We left there and headed to Safeco Field to watch the Mariners and the Blue Jays.

I wanted a hot dog, of course, because we were at a ball game. They had them, but we had to walk halfway around our side of the field to find a concession stand that sold hot dogs. Meanwhile, every single stand had fish and chips and those clam chowder bread bowls that are everywhere along the coast.

The game was fun, even though the Mariners lost. It’s a beautiful ball field, and the weather was perfect for watching a game.

On Sunday, we got up and went for a hike at Rattlesnake Ledge in North Bend. The trail is about two miles long (one-way) and starts at Rattlesnake Lake and it goes up the side of a mountain. When you get to the top, you have an amazing view of the lake and mountains  and forest that’s definitely worth all the huffing and puffing to get there.

 

After the hike, we went to have a look at Snoqualmie Falls.

We went back to our hotel and rested for a while, then met Price and Nathan and some of their friends for dinner. I was happy to finally meet the friends I’ve heard so much about for the last four years.

It’s been a wonderful weekend!

Live hard and ride easy, friends.