Seattle

We arrived at the airport with our bike boxes and typical low expectations. The Alaska Airlines website said that each box would cost $75 extra in baggage charges. And when I reserved our seats, only separate middle seats were left. So it was quite a surprise when the agent asked if we would like to sit together in an emergency exit aisle. Then, after conferring with another agent, he said that he would only charge us for one box and that it would be $50! The flight was on time, my 6'3" frame had plenty of room, and the bikes arrived in one piece! When was the last time you had a positive airport experience? Thank you Alaska!

Our friend Terra picked us up at the airport and gave us a quick tour of Seattle, including Kurt Cobain's house (yeah, that one). Seattle has a lot going for it (at least when the weather is nice which it is right now). We've been eating at great little restaurants, everything is green, there is water everywhere, a crazy music scene... Tucson, you've slipped in the opinion polls. We went by BikeWorks to see Donald, who taught my Build-A-Bike class at BICAS in Tucson, and who now lives in Seattle. Unfortunately, BikeWorks was closed for the 4th of July holiday. Later in the day, after rebuilding our bikes, I took mine for a quick spin around Lake Washington and who should I run into? Donald! He said that we should have gone to the Bikery co-op instead (too much hierarchy at BikeWorks!). Gotta love anarchists!

Tomorrow we will stay with another friend for the night and actually plan on pedaling on Monday.