Day 4: Seattle to E-ville

Day 4: Seattle to E-ville

QOTD

The bluest skies you've ever seen are in Seattle

And the hills the greenest green, in Seattle

Like a beautiful child, growing up, free an' wild

Full of hopes an' full of fears, full of laughter, full of tears 

Full of dreams to last the years, in Seattle 

. . . in Seattle!

Weather: Clear and cool right from first light, from 50s to 60s; a gorgeous spring day; intermittent clouds in E-ville, enough rain to postpone the A’s game due to wet infield

The morning is a bit of a kerfuffle: normal ride on elliptical and Grape Nuts and fruit, then taking care of some financial stuff that required THB using a cell phone (hmmmm…really?), talking the bank through a transaction (THB did not have on-line access to this account), receiving a fax at S&C’s (with much assistance from DB), and pretty soon THB had used up his monthly tech quota, and probably took care of half of May.

Hey, no problema, instead of going to Tacoma Art Museum it left time for visiting the Frye Museum with an interesting exhibit of Noguchi 1930 work done in Beijing in conjunction with a Chinese guy (whose work is way more sophisticated).

Bike rack? Tree protector? both?

Lunch at The Whale Wins, which is right next door to Joule, last night’s dinner spot. The food is great; not so the delivery. The kitchen doesn’t produce a single dish for over 45 minutes (making us think that at this rate, we’ll be on the 6pm flight instead of the 4pm flight). That includes an appetizer, which is an oh-so-challenging sliver of cheese with a panforte nero (say what? a soft small sliver of walnut bread) on a slight wash of oil. In other words, an appetizer that could’ve been prepped at 10am. Concurrently, comes a complimentary serving of bread and the now ubiquitous salted butter ($4 if not comp’d). Shortly thereafter (though not under an hour after we sat down): wilted (and tough to cut without a steak knife) dandelion greens with garlic, mint, lemon, red wine vinegar (dominant flavor, otherwise THB would not mention it), grated egg (maybe ¼ teaspoon ) and crispy (actually, not crispy) ham. Still, tastes great and when can you boast about eating those things that grow in your front lawn.

Whale and Joule share a warehouse with a sporting goods retailer

Kind of like loft living: the walls don't go to the ceiling

The offices above the restaurant

This dish is followed by herring rillette on (great) toast with pickled shallots. As our flight isn’t until 4pm and we’re feeling a bit more secure, we order dessert: giant meringue crumbled up with whip cream, preserved lemon and lemon curd. THB does major damage, thankfully not worried about his diet after Doc Wulff gave him full clearance (and drugs to counteract THB’s diet).

 

You can't miss 'em, the meringues are front and center as you enter

$4 worth of bread minus the other two slices (salted butter included)

THB needs to go on a dessert diet

HOW EARLY DO THEY START DERINUIKING IN THIS TOWN?

Given the issues with delivery, the waitress (who kept her equanimity throughout, though incapable of pushing the - open - kitchen staff) comps the bread, cheese, dessert and extra iced tea so the bill comes to $25 before tip. A bargain. 

Back to Fox Car Rental, where you have to go into the “office” at car pickup point to get a receipt. Good news: we’re in time to save a day’s rental.

PRE works great at SeaTac, Alaska is on time, it’s great to be back in E-ville after a great trip. One month down, five more (in a row) to go on travel.

New addition to the collection

If you're interested, THB can forward you the images that are going up for sale