tye's visit [seabird]

i was excited to hear that seabird was making a trip out west this summer to play a string of shows. i was even more excited to hear that my good friend tye would be playing drums with seabird for their western dates!

we got to see seabird on sunday night and they rocked! we highly recommend you check them out! buy some of the music, shirts... whatever you can to keep their bus running!

monday after their show, since their bus had broken down in walla walla, andrea and i got to go eat dinner with the band and hang out for a while. quality guys! after dinner we did our best to show tye seattle in an evening. we hit up cafe ladro's and a ferry to bainbridge and back.

proof we made the trip. [photo thanks to tye]

although his visit was short, it was great getting to see him! we look forward to the next time tye and seabird are in the area!

Visit from Steve & Maura

We were stoked to hear that Andrea's brother Steve, and his wife, Maura were planning a trip out west over the summer! After they spent a few days in Glacier National Park, they flew on over to our part of the west to soak in the mountains, sun, and sea. We think we did a pretty good job at showing them a few highlights of Seattle during their 4 days here.

Steve and Maura, looking out over Elliot Bay in downtown. We were fortunate enough to hit up an Indians v. Mariners game while they were here. (Steve, one of very few fans sporting the Indians attire...he made us proud.)


We spent pretty much an entire (chilly) day on a boat that included a tour of the islands in the Pacific NW along with some whale watching (something that we have not been able to see until now!) Let us show you on a 3D map.....
So we took this big boat to see these huge whales....got it? (Thanks to my crafty-elementary-art-school-teacher sister-in-law for the creativity...I'm so impressed.)


We passed through 'Deception Pass,' named during the Vancouver Expedition because it deceivingly appeared to be connected to land...but alas...this is truly an island. Whidbey Island to our left.


Steve, Maura, and Brooke. It was a little windy up top!

A brief history of the local Orca Whales:
There are three resident pods living in the Pacific NW. Pods J, K, and L. They typically keep to themselves, like the typical American family, unless they have a reason to band together. In this case, they become a 'Superpod.' Orcas typically do this to gang up on the transient pods traveling through.

It is very rare to see all three pods on one, short, whale watching tour. We traveled to the west side of San Juan Island to check out Pod J. Here are some beautiful shots of these amazing creatures (note: it is harder than you think to grab pictures of these guys!):

The larger whale is a male; he has a very large, straight dorsal fin.

This is a female, with the curved dorsal fin. Coming up directly next to her is a baby whale. He tucks in close beside her when they travel (cruising at about 35 mph) to keep up with the family.

A size comparison. Enjoy.

We were able to follow this pod around quite a bit before we headed back to Friday Harbor, San Juan Island, where we were able to explore the town and grab a beer...or two...before heading back to Seattle.

On the way back we ran smack into both Pods K and L traveling across the straight! They had formed as a 'superpod' and were quite active. We stopped the boat and sat there watching them breech and flip and jump across the water. It was simply breathtaking to see these massive creatures jump straight out of the water, flip, and land!

Andrea, Steve, and Maura. The sun finally came out on the way back!


One of the coolest views of Seattle is from across the water, approaching the city. This goes to show that no matter how tall man can build, no matter how far our technology and enginneering advances, we can never, ever out build God.
Mt. Rainier, 50+ miles away, looms over the Seattle skyline.


We spent our last day touring the breweries and chocolate factories (Theo Chocolate Factory in the background) in Fremont.

Thanks, Steve and Maura, for the visit! You showed us great eats (The Salmon House was a favorite!) and drinks (mmmm...Brouwers) we didn't even know about. But more so, we enjoyed your company. Can't wait for your next visit...maybe we'll take you deep into the mountains this time.

Around Seattle in 7 days with the Kimbles!

To get a better idea of what a fun visit to Seattle might look like in your near future...read on.

We had the pleasure to show Andrea's parents around the Seattle area. It was so much fun running around to be sure they got in the full experience!

We started with a grand tour around Mt. Rainier National Park on Sunday.
Here we are at the base of a roadside waterfall...just one of many.


Dad and Andrea, checking out the Longmire Historic Visitor Center.


A mountain range in the distance.


A beautiful waterfall falling down into a pool of fresh, glacial water.


Paradise Inn just re-opened after 3 years of being closed for renovations. This was our first time in this beautiful old Inn.
Dad was taking a rest on the lower level.


Mom and Dad Kimble. Notice all the snow that was still there!!


On our drive around the mountain, the clouds finally parted and we got a peek of the mountain in all it's glory. Breathtaking...


And of course, what's a visit to Seattle without a (long) stop at Pike Place Market!? Mom, Dad and Andrea spent quite a while at the market, shopping, looking out along the Sound, and watching the Pike Place Fish Market throw fish around!


My Mom had not been to Seattle since the 1962 World's Fair, but she could remember parts of Seattle Center, including the Monorail and the Space Needle.


Brooke and Dad on the Monorail.


Mom and Andrea enjoying the ride, too!


We had to make a point of 'Ride the Ducks' tour while they were here!
Here's Andrea looking like a duck.


Mom and Andrea on the duck boat.
The tour consisited of 60 minutes on land tour...


...and 30 minutes in Lake Union! Yes!...this vehicle floats!


You may recognize this floating home from 'Sleepless in Seattle.' This little home on Lake Union was recently up for sale for $2.5 million!


We spent our last full day walking around Old Pioneer Square before we went to see the Mariners take on the Nationals.


It was so fun having my parents out for a visit! They were such troopers putting up with the cold weather we were having that week...we hit record lows...it was terrible. But they kept smiling and moving from one thing to the next!


Can you believe it! The silver structure behind gasping Brooke is a public restroom! This thing features an automatic door and talking voices. Let's hope the door doesn't open while you're...you know....


Brooke did a great job balancing a full week of work and running around with the in-laws.


My mom, the fire fighter! (now you know where I get my weirdness from)


On the flight home from Seattle back to Ohio, my mom grabbed this great shot above Mt. Rainier. This is one of the greatest shots of the mountain anyone could ask for.

Mom and Dad:
Thanks for taking the time to come out to Seattle to visit us! We truly had a great time seeing you, catching up, and taking you around to all our favorite sights. We look forward to more visits in the future....believe us, there is so much more left to see of this part of the country, you won't be bored. Although you may want to consider coming in August or September when it's sunny and a warm 75 degrees everyday!
Love you both!

Night Out at the Nutcracker

we decided to spend the night on the town by going to see the nutcracker. a bit apprehensive, this was brooke's first ballet. a bit apprehensive for the title, not the ballet.

we spent the evening with friends from rei: mike, sarah, lisa, and her daughter katie. fun was had by all!

the trislers looking rather dapper.

so dapper a pipe must be smoked!

what's a trisler picture without an open mouth!

phone_photo: space needle w/ christmas tree!

Pike Place Holiday Magic

every year pike place market decorates the market for the holiday season. we decided to hop the bus downtown for the afternoon/evening to enjoy the holiday festivities.

brooke's favorite seat of the accordion bus: sitting on the back half with
feet propped up on the front half of the bus at the hinge point. notice the
new shoes! simple - old school sneaker creepers! he's very proud of them.


our favorite seattle coffee: caffe ladro
100% organic/fair trade

the original. crazy to think we have the first starbucks
in the world! they've kept it pretty close to orignal.
don't be fooled...it all tastes the same.

put your nose closer to the screen...
you'll be able to smell them!

pike place market has to be the most 'colorful' place

santa cruises in style...only an international is good enough
for old saint nick!

for your desktop!
take a picture of yourself with this as a desktop background;
we'll post it and send you something sweet from washington!

my beautiful wife!

waiting for the holiday magic!

only at pike place would you see lit up christmas vegetables!

strands of lights with banners of the producers.

rein-pigs! rachael is on the right with a red nose.

andrea wanted my picture. she was standing about thirty feet
away ...'out of sight.' after i sat on the bench this shady dude,
who looked like santana, sauntered over and asked if i would like to
buy some weed. i politely declined and waited for him to move
out of frame; although he didn't move far. maybe he didn't think i
was serious. forget about having your pant leg rolled up, i guess
the universal sign for wanting to buy illegal drugs is to sit on
a bench by yourself, with your right leg crossed over your left
knee and having your left arm out-stretched. sorry dude...
although i have the correct posture, i still don't want to buy drugs.

take 2.
merry-beginning-to-your-christmas-season from your
local pike place market drug dealer.