Seattle Coffee Talk

Mt. St. Helens - Part 1

2008-09-07T21:33:00.001-07:00

Greetings, Jake here. I can't believe its been over a whole month since we've posted. I just went on an amazing get away in my own backyard of Washington state. As you may recall, Mt St Helens blew in 1980 and knocked almost 2000' vertical feet off its top in less than 30 seconds. Today it makes for a spectacular national park in which to frolic in...and thats just what we did. I went on down to southern Washington to romp around and explore with Jeff and Kelsey, friends in the UW physical therapy program, in celebration of finishing all our bookwork for the whole PT curriculum (we are off to the clinics in the fall and go our own separate ways). I will try to keep the verbiage to a minimum and let the pictures speak for themselves.

Wednesday: Jeff and I leave Seattle to go for a once-in-a-lifetime bike ride on Windy Ridge on the NE side of Mt. St. Helens. The experience lived up to the name...WINDY. Yet, with a backdrop as stunning as Mt St Helens coupled with the fact that there was no cars (road closed to cars due to maintenance), the ride was purely divine. This is Jeff (left) and I (right) getting our first jaw-dropping glimpse of the mountain.

This ride was full of ups (notice Mt. Adams in the background(12,227'))...

...and downs.

Finally, we neared the end where there was a spectacular view of Spirit Lake. This lake instantly rose 200' in elevation when the volcano blew because the whole mountain relocated itself directly into the lake basin. You can still see that thousands of trees remain in the lake from the day of that cataclysmic explosion.

Thursday: Kelsey, Jeff, and I embark on a truly awesome hike to the rim of Mt St. Helens (8,365'):

We had plenty of time to goof off on the way up while we were catching our breath. Doesn't Jeff look like he is on top of the world (left)? Just wait until we get to the top, buddy (Mt. Hood in the background (11,249'))...

This was my Paul Bunyan pose, but since I didn't have a blue ox I coerced this squirrel into being my sidekick:

Climbing, climbing, climbing. This is us being strong (left) and staying together (right).

And, finally after about 4 hours of this...

...we made it and danced on top of the world! (notice Mt. Rainier in the background (14,410'))

Unfortunately, this is right about the time the Jeff's camera battery died. Stay tuned for pictures from the decent from the top, camp life, and romping around in the underground lava tubes. Adieu.

Icicle Ridge with the Molz Factor

2008-07-12T21:17:00.000-07:00

Greetings faithful viewers. Its been a while since I've posted, so I am going to go big with the pictures this time! Today I went out hiking with my long time friend from HHS (thats right! Helena High School...go Bengals!), Molly Hoyne. You can call her Molz. We tackled the grueling switchbacks on a 5.3 mile ascent to the over 7000' lookout point on Icicle Ridge to drink up the views on a hot sunny day in Washington state.

The ascent offered wonderful views of mountain wildflowers and beautiful vistas...oh yeah, and this swiss cheese tree. Hum.

Molz and I stayed tough all the way to the top, and don't we look it! Here we are playing around on the top of the world. Cheese!

We got a great view of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Glacier Peak is far left.

It was over 90 degrees today so we weren't surprised to see a budding wildfire in the distance. Eek!

As we made our way down, I was still enamored by the amazing views. However, my feet really started to hurt and I soon got an itch to get them boots off and booked it straight on down.

Well folks, thats all for now. ~Good night and good luck~

Golden Times at Golden Gardens

2008-05-31T12:39:00.000-07:00

After a long winter of gray, gray, gray !*BAM*! The sun showed it's face in a big way. A few weeks ago the temperature climbed above 90 and those thick, drab Seattle clouds were but a distant memory. So what does a typical Seattlelite do in these circumstances? Call a few friends, gather the necessities, and head to the beach!

Heres the gang: Sanatan, Lesley, Patrick, and Sarah and Chrissy

We decided to head over to Golden Gardens Park, which is a beautiful sandy beach right on the Puget Sound. And as you can see, we are not the only ones who thought this was a good idea.

Where was Jake you ask? Off playing in the sand by himself, as usual...

Its a shame that we don't see the sun more often because the sunsets over the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains are better than a seedless watermelon on a hot summer day.

This is a ship coming out of the Port of Seattle. With the Olympics as its backdrop, I am again reminded about the delicate balance between man and nature.

And to you Mr. Sailboat man, I salute you.

And with the moon as my guiding light, I traversed the entire city (east-west) by bike to finish off a stellar evening.

(cue music now) Good night sweetheart, well its time to go...

Tulip Festival

2008-05-04T00:15:00.000-07:00

After two years of intending to go to the Skagit Valley Tulilp Festival, Jake and I finally bucked-up and did it! We threw our bikes in the car and headed up North to Mt. Vernon, WA. What should have been an hour drive took us much longer due to all of the weekend warrior traffic. Thankfully, we were thinking in advance and decided bike through the countryside to see the tulips, which sure beat the stop-and-go traffic on the country roads (no kidding - this is a hugely popular excursion for Americans and Canadians alike.) There were fields and fields of tulips in all different colors. I felt like we were in Holland! Enjoy!

(left) Jake puts new clip pedals on my bike! I got biking shoes and learned how to clip in and out on this trip. I was very proud of myself for not falling once! (right) A timer shot balanced from the handlebars of a bike. This was the first field we came to. We later found out that it was not yet in it's prime.

This field was a striking display of orange tulips from a distance. Up close they were red and yellow striped!

Jake poses in front of a field of red and yellow. Look closely in both these shots - you will see Mt. Baker poking over the surrounding hills. Mt. Baker is approximately 60 miles north east of Mt. Vernon.

(right) This rare field featured tulips and daffodils. The Daffodil fields had mostly been cut already. What a picturesque little barn! (right) Red tulip field and Mt. Baker

What a beautiful day! It was a feast for the senses.

New York Trip

2008-04-11T00:11:00.000-07:00

I've been a stranger to this blog, I'm well aware. It's about darn time I start reviewing coffee shops again, no? Well, let's just say I've been a drinkin' and have been too busy for the writin'.

Jake and I recently returned from a FABULOUS vacation in the Big Apple - New York, NY. Many thanks are in order to my brother, Alan, who generously gave us the last of his Jet Blue Buddy Passes - he's now slaving away in law school. Also, special thanks to my long-time friend and kindred spirit, Jed Montgomery.

He and Chris Williams, our favorite Wall Street guru, were both gracious in sharing their living space with us. (We are so thrilled that Chris will soon be working for the Gates Foundation here in the Emerald City!!!) We couldn't have found a better tour guide than Jed if we'd tried!

First, over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan on foot. What a beautiful day, and a stunning view of the city!
Once in Manhattan, we went straight to the top of Empire State Building to get an areal view of the city. Jake especially loved it as it was his first time in New York, and it helped put the pieces of the city together in our heads.

Here are some more snapshots of the remainder of our trip!

Central Park - (left) Imagine Memorial for John Lennon (right) On a scenic little bridge in the park

We had the great fortune of scoring tickets for the opening night of the revival of Gypsy on Broadway, starring Patti LuPone. It was INCREDIBLE, to say the least! We also got to see quite a few stars on the red carpet. We felt very important as we walked on the red carpet ourselves! Check out this link: http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=26462

We were amazed to run across to this cat hanging out on 5th Avenue, right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle. What a brilliant way for his owner to make a buck! He was just loafed out, sitting there quietly on his little mat. His kitty jacket was awesome.

We enjoyed the great views of the city and the Statue of Liberty on the Staten Island Ferry. We also enjoyed the free admission on the ferry!

And of course, the food!!! We ate well. (top left) A little Falafel joint in Greenwich Village; (top right) Empanada Mama; (bottom left) 99-Cent Pizza in Midtown; (bottom right) nursing a Manhattan at Bamboo 52.

Some last shots: (top left) We went to visit Lincoln Center, but the entrance to Juilliard and Avery Fischer Hall were blocked off from the sidewalk due to construction. We did, however, hear the faint trumpeting of the Angel Moroni on top of the Mormon Temple. Who knew it was directly across the street from Lincoln Center? (top right) Tuckered-out on the subway; (bottom left) Chris tuckered-out; (bottom right) Enjoying a great meal at an excellent Italian restaurant after Gypsy. A perfect ending!

Stay tuned for our next post: A day at the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival!

Snowshoe Haiku

2008-04-08T17:15:00.000-07:00

The winter sunshine

Guides me to a tall tower;

The guards are strong girls!

Thats my haiku and I'm sticking to it.

We went on a fun trip and we'll try to get some pictures up soon. Guesses??

West Coast Theater

2008-01-31T17:03:00.000-08:00

Well, we've had a pretty crazy winter this year. The mountains are currently at about 120-150% of the normal snowpack and Snoqualmie Pass (114 in. of snowpack!!!) was closed today due to to avalanches. On the flip side, when the sun comes out we all get an amazing show!

These are the Cascade Mountains as viewed from the park across the street that I snapped a few weeks ago (a little blurry but very cool) :

A few days later, I caught up with my buddy Josh:

We made our way to the top of the Columbia Tower and took in the bird's eye view. Downtown Seattle to the north (top left). The Cascade Mountains as a backdrop to Lake Washington to the east (top right). Mt. Rainier and I-5 to the south (bottom left). The Olympic Mountains and the Puget Sound to the west (bottom right):

We are a little bit off the beaten path and it's very unlikely any of you will be in the neighborhood "just because", so hopefully I've made at least a few of you jealous enough to visit sometime soon.

Home for the Holidays.

2008-01-20T10:40:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, back to Montucky. Where driving big trucks, shopping at Wal-mart in pajamas, and wearing cowboy hats is cool. Where backwards is forwards. It's the last best place if you love ZZ Top (thanks KZMT!), rocky mountain oysters, or Everclear (which is still legal). Where bumperstickers read "God Bless Ronald Reagan", "Sierra Club Sucks", and "W". A place where animal heads hang on walls, where the speed limit is suggested, and the 2nd ammendment stands proud. Hey, you never know when Canada is going to invade?!? Yet, like the sparrows of Capistrano, Chrissy and I head east for our great Montana adventure.

Let's put a little perspective on where we were with some aerial shots that we took from the top of the mountain behind my house. Here is the neighborhood (top left). Let's zoom in on our temporary place of residence for the week (top right). Chrissy enjoying some much needed sun with the Missouri River in the background (bottom left). Helena is just a hop, skip, and a jump down the road at the base of the mountains (bottom right)

Our hosts, my parents, taking five minutes from the X-mas mayhem at the York Bar in York, MT (top left). My parents got a mini-schnauzer this past year and named her Seri. She runs the house now that I'm gone (top right). Chrissy and her new friend in York, MT. They had an instant connection, but alas, distance and the inability to speak a common language proved too much for them to keep in contact (bottom left). Locals. (bottom right)

Well, we had lots of fun. We are now back in Seattle...where left is right, and right is wrong!

Theres gold in them ther hills!

2008-01-13T19:05:00.000-08:00

And it's off to Montana for the holiday break! Despite the scariest and longest ride of my life, it was well worth the trip. Heres why...

This is us enjoying ourselves at Boulder Hotsprings, a geologically heated spa in Boulder, Mt. It is fantastically old...over 100 years for sure. We watched bald eagles from the 90 degree outdoor pool, and then went inside and detoxed in the indoor sauna and hot tubs. Awesome!

Have you ever been to a ghost town??? No, a real, live, for-serious ghost town? Well, we have! This is Elkhorn, Mt....population: 3 hillbillies and a dog. So this is what it's like when the mine dries up and the town dies?

Well, there are more to come, but this is just a sample to wet your palate. Enjoy!

Happy Tofurkey Day!

2008-01-13T18:07:00.001-08:00

Actually, no tofurkey was actual consumed this year because we prepared some wonderful veggie dishes such as root veggies, pumpkin stuffing, and of course smashed potatoes! Chrissy and I got ambitious and drove a few miles out of town for a great little hike. We raced to the top of Mt. Si, a local favorite, in an effort to prepare for the thanksgiving feast scheduled for later that evening. Here is a few pictures from the top:

Mt. Rainier is standing loud and proud at 14,411' behind Chrissy (top left). The Cascade foothills are alive with color (top right). To the right of Jake's face you can see Seattle (left).

It was soo clear that we could actually see the skyline of our fair, little city!

Click on it to see a larger imagine...it's awesome!

Well, we forgot the camera for thanksgiving dinner but it was fantastic! Umm, umm.

...And December Is Here!!!

2007-12-01T16:52:00.000-08:00

Well, ol' man winter showed his face today in the great Pacific Northwest. Here are a few pictures from the park across the street. It's beginning to look a lot like winter! So this is what happens when rain freezes???

Our beloved P-Patch. It's amazing to see such fertile land frosted over and put on hold until next spring.

Even the Salmon are getting cold!!!

Just kidding. But seriously folks, stay warm and keep in touch!!!!

The Grateful Bread

2007-11-23T14:34:00.000-08:00

Here we are on our first stop - a wonderful little bakery and coffee shop called The Grateful Bread. This is somewhat of a local secret buried deep in Seattle's residential neighborhood of Wedgwood. A new-comer, however, would never know it, as it's always quite busy, if not packed, especially on a Sunday morning. Whether you are young or old, hungry or thirsty, or just looking for a good place to study, this is it. When we arrived, it was hoppin'.

Jakes says:
The Drinks: 3/5 shots. With Cafe Vita coffee, how can one go wrong?! I got an americano, room for cream. It was yummy. In fact, as I was leaving, I went and got another. Yikes!
The Buzz: 4/5 shots. This place was jamming! I loved the vivacious spirit. But, if you are one who likes to ponder the meaning of life, visit on a weekday and enjoy the serenity.
The Aftertaste: On top of a great cup o' joe, I had an amazing pizza bagel that was served piping hot. All in all, this is a great place to be. We'll be back very soon! I hope to see you there!!!

Chrissy says:
The Drinks: 3.5/5 shots.
I love Caffé Vita Coffee. It was my favorite a year or so back, in fact, and I have been know to give a bag of whole beans (fresh from the roaster on Capitol Hill) as a gift for close friends and family. I thought my double non-fat latté at GB was quite good: full-bodied, with a slightly strong, deeply-roasted overtone. Even though I usually prefer a light to medium roast, I really enjoyed this cup. The latté art was okay, too...
The Buzz: 4/5 shots. I cannot agree with Jake when he recommends visiting Grateful Bread on a weekday for a more serene environment, because I tried just that two weeks ago when I met my colleague to plan for an upcoming student performance. There wasn't even an open table on Tuesday at noon, so we were "forced" to go across the street to Top Pot Doughnuts (NOT a bad alternative in the least!) Every time I have gone to GB, from the first year I moved to Seattle (2001), this place has been buzzin' and busy. The fact that I am still going back to the Grateful Bread after seven years speaks for itself. Bottom line: There is a vivacious feel at the Grateful Bread that adds to the ambiance instead of overwhelming it. There is a community feel as it attracts young people and old. We saw a table with three generations enjoying each other's company - an old-timer grandfather with a few parents and their two young children. It's always refreshing to see a variety of folks out and about.
The Aftertaste: 5/5 shots.
GB is laid back, yet they do such a terrific job at what they do: coffee, baked goods, homemade soups and sandwiches (yum on all accounts!) This feels like a truly authentic Seattle coffee shop - almost cliché: hippie barristas (some complete with dreadlocks), a community bulletin board near the bathrooms, warm colors and lighting, outdoor covered seating (accessible in the winter months), and damn good coffee. The picture of Gerry Garcia behind the L-shaped serving counter - a nod to this shop's namesake - also adds some indie flair. I feel like I am treating myself when I go to the Grateful Bread, which is when I usually have time to walk there (up two big San Fransisco-type hills).

http://www.gratefulbreadbaking.com/

The Grind

2007-11-18T23:07:00.000-08:00

We decided that we would live up to the name of our blog and give you all a taste of something most Seattelites take very seriously: coffee. This is the first of hopefully many reviews of our favorite coffee refueling pits stops in Seattle!

First, we must make the disclaimer that not all coffee shops in Seattle are the same...

Yes, Dr. Evil is the CEO, but the real issue is that the coffee leaves an aftertaste similiar to that of charred bath water (thumbs down). To their credit, the Starbucks in our lovely Wedgewood neighborhood has a really charming dual-sided indoor/outdoor fireplace that offers locals some extra comfort during the rainy season.

Notice all of the customers...

THE GRIND

Each establishment will receive a rating in three different categories, 0-5 shots of espresso in each category:

A) THE DRINKS - taset, presentation, etc
B) THE BUZZ - vibe, ambiance, etc
C) THE AFTERTASTE - our chance to summarize our general impressions of whats good and whats less than good

Chrissy rates, Jake rates.

With this easy guide just a key-click away, you will be a bit more informed while navigating the extensive java network in Seattle. We hope you enjoy reading as much as we will "researching"! Stay tuned...

My So Called e-Life...

2007-11-10T13:27:00.000-08:00

“Life is a b movie, it’s stupid and it’s strange; a directionless story and the dialogue is lame. But in the “he said”, “she said” sometimes there’s some poetry, if you turn back long enough and let it happen naturally.” ~Ani~

I must be one of the last people on the planet who does not have a blog. I tried Myspace for a while and failed miserably. (You may find relics of me still there) But, being far from friends and family, I’m willing to give it another shot. I hope that you find some amusement in our “he said”, “she said” e-life.

Just a quick synopsis of my life since we last chatted. Do you want regular or decaf? One shot or two? Room for cream?

I am trying to get through physical therapy school at the University of Washington. It definitely has pushed my envelope for learning. I bought a little one bedroom condo in NE Seattle, where I live with...

Chrissylein (aka TANK)-

Banja'-

and Buddha Belly.-

We all seem to be really happy to be together despite the tight quarters.

Well, that’s about it. Really. I’ll try to get some more pictures posted as the spirit catches me. Adios.

-Jake

Talk amongst yourselves...

2007-11-10T11:58:00.000-08:00

Although this blog will likely have very little to do with coffee, it will certainly give Jake and me a chance to express ourselves and throw a bit of our lives up on the web. Something about blogs irks me, but I do realize that I occasionally wonder how a friend or family member is doing and hop on their blog for a quick update. (It's a better alternative than, say, calling at a very late hour - Pacific and Eastern time!) So, stay tuned for some pics and hopefully video clips, too, once I decide on a camcorder to buy.

As for an update, I have still been coming to grips with the fact that my Summer of Glory has come to an end. No more tromping around in the Alps,

no more Paris,

and no more heirloom tomatoes.

I think I have been experiencing lycopene withdrawal, in fact. Additionally, it is now dark at 4:30 pm! Blah. There is a reason why this city is known for it's coffee and micro-brews. And grunge music.

While I'm thinking of it, here is my teaching website for those of you who haven't seen it: www.dunaway.violininstructor.com
Yeah, I know... Cheap way to increase my Google visibility! :)

In the meantime, talk amongst yourselves!

Chrissy

P.S. - I took so many photos of sheep and cows in the Alps, much to Brian's annoyance, that I thought I would put one to good use. Here goes...

(Say, is that a black sheep???)