Here We Come, Seattle

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Having finished up our two weeks with Habitat for Humanity, we cleaned up and walked into La Conner to have a nice meal with Dick and Wardene - our counterparts with the Care-a-Vanners. When we get back east, we will need to look up our new friends from Greensboro. The next morning we drove across the channel to the Indian reservation fuel station with pretty good pricing on diesel. Then we head south to the greater Seattle area.

The plan is to go to the Elks Lodge in Burien which is about 15 miles south of Seattle. We had called the lodge and they confirmed there was one spot open. The lodge wasn't open Sunday but the woman was going to come in around 3 to check us in. It's not clear whether that is standard procedure but it worked for us. The drive was only about 75 miles, but it was a pretty miserable one from a traffic standpoint. 

The lodge is at the corner of 1st Ave South and S 140th St. There are entrances off either of these roads but both of them have a pretty steep drop off. We scraped the gizmos that protect the rear end from damage but it sounded terrible. For future reference, go east on S 140th St about 300 feet to the second right hand turn which is the far side of the lodge. This allows you to come around to the RV spots and be facing the correct direction to back into the spots. The 7 RV spots are pretty tight but reasonably level and full hookups with 50 amp! We managed to squeeze in between two other motorhome and got our slides out without running into theirs. If we both had window awnings, they likely wouldn't fit and the main awning is out of the question.

The other downside of this place is that it's only a bit over a mile from the Seattle-Tacoma airport. We aren't under the flight path, but close enough to hear every single plane take off. I bothered to time them at one point and it was about every 45 seconds. The first few days they were annoying then I didn't seem to hear them. Well it wasn't that I had become accustomed to them but the wind had shifted and now our end of the airport was where the planes came in for landings. A jet coming in for landing is dramatically quieter than one taking off. Chris did however like the fact that a Fred Meyer grocery store was within very easy walking distance of the lodge and is likely a quicker walk than it would be to drive there.

There is a ton of stuff to see and do in the Seattle area but admittedly we are here for only one thing. Seattle is the home of geocaching. We started caching just over 7.5 years ago and are approaching our 10,000th find. By no means are we the fastest to that number but we are definitely on the higher end of the curve in terms of our find rate - which is about 3.6 caches per day. Since this past winter, when we recognized we were going to be hitting 10K and were thinking of heading to the Pacific NW, we have been working on our find count so as to have our milestone coincide with our being here. It took a bit of planning and even cache rationing at times, but we managed to make it. We got into town needing 30 more to reach that number.

A Preview - We Made it to HQ

Another goal while we are here is to get a new mattress. The general consensus is that RVs come with crappy mattresses. Ours was no exception and it had only gotten worse over time. Our mattress is nearly a normal queen but not quite. It's about 2 inches shorter and the corners are rounded at the foot of the bed. These differences are needed so that the bedroom slides can come in without interference. It is possible to have a mattress custom made to the required dimensions but they tend to be expensive.

We had read about what others living in RVs and even boats have done and decided to try a different approach. We decided we would try to go with a simple foam mattress and a very interesting light weight spring system from Froli. We ordered the queen size "Star" system. It comes with 120 modular spring elements allowing for a 10 by 12 grid of springs to be created. Each base element has 3 mounting positions that allows them to be positioned closer together or further apart to control the firmness. We found we needed to space the 10 across each row in the closest position to just fit the width of the bed. Along the length of the bed we varied the spacing from wide at the foot to close in the middle since our legs need less support than our main body. The other benefit with this system is there is now an air gap beneath the bed that allows for better heat and moisture dissipation.

The Froli System is Partially Installed

The "Springs" are Installed Ready for a Mattress

We had ordered it and had it delivered to our last stop. We even assembled it and put it under our existing mattress. Other than the bed being about 2 inches taller, these did not "fix" our existing mattress but we weren't expecting it to be able to account for the sag we had. Chris had investigated mattress stores in the area so we could go and try out various options. We ended up getting a 8" foam mattress and like it so far. We didn't cut down this mattress and brought in the the slides while cautiously watching the mattress. Turns out there is no real issue. I suppose if there was a heavy comforter on the bed, the extra thickness could pose a problem but it's easy enough to flip the covers back when bringing in the slides.

Vacuum Packed Mattress

We needed to get a couple dozen caches before we headed into headquarters in Seattle. Carkeek Park is north of Seattle where the mattress store was so we headed there. There were a fair number of people out enjoying the great weather. A bus load of kids were scattered around doing crafts, catching bugs and climbing trees. The trails were pleasant with most being in the shade of trees. While exploring the park and geocaching, we came upon the largest slugs (or snails?) we have ever seen.

Huge Slugs!

We also checked out North Seatac Park. As the name implies, it is directly north of the airport. The planes were taking off in that direction today and the noise turned an otherwise pleasant park into a slightly annoying spot. It's hard to even hear yourself think with a jet flying overhead every minute. The park has a nice little garden and Japanese garden area. Although both were in need of some trimming and weeding, they were still nice. The park even has a disc golf course but we never made it back over there to try it out.

Japanese Garden at North Seatac Park

There were a handful of caches with a fair number of favorite points in the Georgetown area. It turns out that this section is a big business area. Some small, some large. We saw what is the largest marble and granite slab dealer we have ever seen by a factor of 10. We aren't big into urban caching but we did feel slightly more invisible in this area than if it had been a residential spot. The caches were okay with one of them leaving me scratching my head as to how the mechanics of the hide even worked. We had one more park to explore - West Seattle Recreation Area and Camp Long. There were some nice trails but as we are finding out, this part of Washington is far from flat. Lots of ups and downs created by the glaciers. Kind of reminds us of parts of western New York.

The Port of Seattle is a big and impressive sight. We often saw it as were were driving by or even got a better look when we were parked in the never ending traffic. We decided to see some of it in a slightly closer and pleasant way. Across Elliot Bay, about 2 miles from Seattle is Jack Block Park. There is a raised viewing platform that gives a good view of many of the piers all along the shoreline. The boats out on the water ran the gamut from people in kayaks, to fishing boats, passenger ferries and huge container ships. The view of downtown and the Great Wheel and Space Needle was nice. Would have liked to make it back for a night shot but didn't have the time.

Big Container Ship Comes Into Port

But How Do I Get Down?

Getting rid of the current mattress turned into a lengthy ordeal but we couldn't stand having it sit in the motorhome taking up valuable space. We had thought about just shoving it into the dumpster at the Elks Lodge, or cutting it into smaller chunks and doing the same thing. But it isn't in terrible condition so we figured we could donate it to some good charity. Not all charities will accept a mattress but with some work we found one not terribly far away. Share House sounded like the ideal place for it to be put to use. Of course, when we pulled next to the entrance, there was a big sign saying the facility had closed and was no longer accepting donations! Well, we had already shoehorned the thing into the back of the Jeep and there was no way we wanted to go back and undo all our work while we try to find a second option. So off to the nearest transfer station. You are charged by weight but there is a minimum charge. So 30 bucks later we are on our way to having room in the motorhome again.

After a couple days of caching, we had made it to a find count of 9992. So we headed into the Fremont area of Seattle which is where Geocaching Headquarters are located. It also happens to be where a very large Google complex is located as well as Adobe and probably many other businesses like this. We found a parking spot in an all day lot for $10 and headed off to explore. Many of the people wandering the streets had the look I've come to expect from young software types. Most of the restaurants and shops had a young hip vibe to them.

Entrance to One of Several Google Buildings

There is a series of nine caches within a half mile radius of headquarters that were put out to form a mini GeoTour. Some brought you to interesting places while others were closer to gadget caches where you must solve something to get to the logbook. We walked around all of Fremont getting in many miles and had fun finding the caches. The troll under the bridge with a Volkswagen Bug under its hand was not something you see everyday. Nor was the rocket attached to the corner of one building. And then there is the 16 foot tall, 8 ton Lenin statue. Or how about the "chairy" tree - a tree with all sorts of chairs stuck up in it including a cache container on a chair. Need I say more about the eclectic feel of this area? We found a good place to get lunch and sat outside people watching.

Fremont Troll

Look Closely - Those are Chairs

The Cache Hangs in the Tree with Rope and Pulleys

Every Town Needs a Rocket

Or a Sixteen Foot Tall Lenin

After getting 7 caches to put us one short of 10,000, we headed to Headquarters. Unlike most other businesses that have reasonably good signage indicating their location, Geocaching HQ is less than obvious. But being persistent geocachers, we finally figured out what building to enter and what floor to go to. We were greeted by a friendly lackey (Geocaching-speak for employee) that told us a bit about what was in the lobby other than the big treasure chest that holds the log book and all the trackables. He was nice enough to take our picture which surprisingly turned out halfway decent.

A Rather Small Sign

Turn Left Off Elevator

We also used the photo booth they have setup there with less than ideal results. It turns out with the two of us and our sign, framing the picture is highly problematic. We checked out some of the unique trackable items including one that has been up to the geocache on the International Space Station. We ran into another cacher while there and started taking to him about our travels. He wants to be able to try something like we are doing in a couple years when he is retired. So we gave him some recommendations on what to at least consider.

Our Photo Booth Attempt

More Interesting Art Near HQ

We had nearly lost track of time, so we needed to hustle to our next planned stop. The Theo Chocolate Factory is hard to miss if you walk around Fremont for any amount of time. Not because it is a huge place (although it is a good sized building) but because you can smell it for several blocks when you happen to be downwind of the place. They offer hourlong tours of the factory several times during the day. We had booked 3 o'clock tour spots. It's not free but at only $10 per person, we would say it was well worth the stop. There were probably 16 to 20 people on the tour. We all needed to put on hairnets and run lint rollers over our clothing before we could begin.

Lovely Hair Nets

The tour starts out with a brief lesson on the company and how they make chocolate. They source all their cocoa beans from just two places: Peru and the Congo. The beans are shipped to them and they roast them, shell them and do all the processing to make some really good chocolate. All the while, the energetic tour guide is handing around samples of their various types of chocolate. Next we head into a glass walled viewing booth where the various pieces of machinery are described to explain the production flow and since the chocolate is piped between the various stations, the word flow is very fitting. A couple more samples are handed out before heading into the production area where photos are not allowed. Apparently not from a security but from the fear of a camera or phone being dropped and getting glass all over the place.

Only 16 Steps to Make Good Chocolate

Viewing Room 

The Roaster

Picture of the Chocolate Pipeline

We next were led to where the handful of chocolatiers were working making some of the more fancy candies they sell. Here we get a couple more samples and I run into my first sample that wasn't great. It wasn't spit it out bad but I'm not fond of lemon so the lemon truffle one was not the best. Of course the tour ends in the gift shop. What was great about this place were the sample dispensers at practically all the flavors of chocolate bars they sell. After trying out nearly all of them, we picked a few of our favorites and headed out to finish up some of the remaining caches in the area before heading back to the car and driving in the insane rush hour traffic.

Crowded Gift Shop

With the couple days left in Burien, we had a numerous places we would have liked to visit but only time for a few. Ballard Locks were celebrating the 100th anniversary of their opening this year. It connects Lake Washington with Puget Sound and has the most boat traffic of any US lock. There are two locks - a small and a large. And each lock has a couple different gates to allow for just the right size to accommodate the boats on hand. This is the first time we have seen a lock which goes between fresh water and salt water. The difference in the density of the two types water was a factor in the design of the locks. Even so, when the gates first open, there are some interesting currents that are created by the salt water sinking so the boats need to stay tied up for about 45 seconds or so before they can proceed.

Tug with Barge of Gravel in Lock

Overlooking Locks

Train Track Draw Bridge Below Locks

Visitors are permitted to get very close to the locks. In fact you are permitted to cross over a gate as long as that gate is closed at the time. On the far side of the two locks is a fish ladder for the salmon that are swimming upstream. There is a nice underground viewing area of a section of the ladder with windows and lights so you can actually watch the fish as they proceed along their way. We happened to be at the locks just before one of many free tours provided. We definitely learned a lot about the locks, the fish ladder and even the botanical gardens adjacent to the locks. Carl English designed the gardens after lock construction was completed. He planted a wide variety of trees and plants from all over the world. It seems he was gifted at trading some seeds he had with colleagues he knew from far off lands. Obviously there were many beautiful plants we had never seen before and possibly never will again.

Salmon Resting Before the Next Step in Ladder

Many People at Fish Viewing Area

Bright Red Flowers

Centennial Celebration

We also checked out Saltwater State Park which happens to be south of the airport and of course the winds were now forcing the planes to takeoff overhead as we hiked a nice loop trail in the park. Not all our time in the Seattle area was spent having fun. It's that time of year when the rig needs to get waxed. It is a daunting task but made easier by spreading the work out over the course of many stops. We haven't seen rain in many weeks, so that cannot be used as an excuse. Generally I will pick a section that is manageable to be completed in an hour or two. Then I quit for a day or a week. The only issue is remembering what sections I have completed so I don't do them a second time. It is pretty easy to tell by feel if I am in doubt. Maybe by the end of August I will be done!

View at Saltwater State Park