Amanda here….
No fancy innuendos of drug use to open today’s blog
entry…sorry to disappoint. However, I
can brag a bit, as Dan and I lay here…in separate beds, of course Mom and
Dad…gazing at the Space Needle in all her glory. Today was not a very exciting
day on the motorcycle. We (meaning I)
slept in a little bit this morning before saying farewell to Morgan, Rick, and
Riley and meeting up with Rick at Motocorsa.
I know Dan mentioned our pit stop by the exclusive Ducati dealer and
shop, Motocorsa, yesterday evening, but I just wanted to reiterate how awesome
these guys are! Everyone from the mechanics to the GM we super friendly and
made us feel like rock-stars on our journey to Alaska! Rick’s friend gave us an awesome send off
this morning with some stickers that are now slapped on the moto side cases and
some awesome Ducati Motocorsa t-shirts…be on the lookout for the three sexiest models
you’ve ever seen as we rock those t-shirts along the way to Alaska. We jumped on the interstate and drove like we
stole something all the way into our 4th state in 5 days! We ended
our short 2-hour jaunt in Bremerton, Washington where we boarded the ferry to
cross the Pungent Sound into Seattle. As
we warmed up on the ferry, enjoying cafeteria grade hotdogs, hot pretzels, and
coffee, we watched the Seattle skyline come into view. We met another couple and their friend who
rode up in their sassy leather upon gurgling Harleys. They were excited to learn of our trip and
had some great advice on how to best get north of Seattle and on our way
through Canada. One of the most awesome
things about this trip so far is that we are meeting so many awesome
people. Whether it’s Dan’s cheerleaders
on the ADV forum, you guys reading the blog, the guys at the motorcycle shop,
the gas station attendants, or just random people, we have been so excited and
lucky to feel supported and to share our journey along the way!
Making new friends!
The Ducs have a front row seat on the ferry
Well, hello Seattle
After disembarking the ferry into SUNNY Seattle, we made our
ways up a street steep enough to belong in San Francisco. We made it to Jason’s apartment with only a
minor “oh-shit” moment as we watched Rick pop an unintentional wheelie at the
top of the hill. Jason and Rick used to
work together during travel assignments all over the country. Jason decided he was sick of moving, so he
planted roots in Seattle almost 15 years ago.
He and his girlfriend Mandy, and their American Bulldog, Gertrude, were
awesome enough to let us freshen up and drink a beer before heading into the
city to explore. Jason was also nice
enough to accept two huge packages of camping gear that Rick and Dan shipped to
his apartment last week. With Rick’s
fancy new rear rack, he will haul all the camping gear on the back of his
motorcycle from here on out….thanks Rick!
After an agonizing but necessary stop at the Verizon store,
Dan walked out with a shiny new phone that works, and we headed towards the
Public Market. We found ourselves really
loving Seattle during our walk. The city
is clean and the architecture is beautiful.
After grabbing a latte at Starbucks….DUH, this is Seattle after all….we
embarked on our obligatory tourist march through the Public Market. We saw some gorgeous seafood, they threw
enormous fish, we ate amazing crab and oysters, and we got the hell out of
there!
This happy boy got himself some crab legs!
The original Starbucks
Interesting character....
After meeting back up with Rick, Britney, and Jason for a
quick beer, we met up with Carol and Matt for and amazing dinner of sushi and
sake. Dan and Carol worked together in
San Francisco before Carol and Matt made the move up to Seattle a few months
ago…and we were SO lucky to catch up with them only a week before they move
back to the Bay Area. We had a great
time at dinner before heading back to their beautiful apartment to meet their
Jack Russell, Marley. After hanging out
on their amazing deck overlooking the brightly lit Space Needle, Dan and I
decided to get some shut-eye.
We have a long day ahead of us as we make our way from
Seattle, Washington into 100 Mile House, Canada today. Tonight will mark the first time that we are
pulling out the camping gear and “roughing” it.
We will try and update the blog as Internet access allows!
