A random walk through Seattle with my point-and-click

A few months back, my car was threatening to be difficult. It hadn’t really acted up, but the “check engine” light kept going off, and it struck me that I wish everything in life were kind enough to inform you of its impending break down.

In a panic, I brought my car into a repair shop. I have no idea what they did, or what was wrong with my vehicle in the first place. They ended up charging me $300, and I am okay with that being the price of my ignorance. It also required me to get home from Fremont without a car. Since I figured I’d be doing a lot of walking and taking multiple buses (some of which had me sitting next to nose-picking guy – we’ll later explore why this always happens) I decided to take my point-and-click with me.

Now, I rarely have my point-and-click on me. I generally travel with my huge Canon EOS, which I barely know how to use (also, for the record, I don’t know what EOS stands for. Please don’t tell me. I like mystery). Its size often causes me to leave it at home (make up your own joke). This time, though, I thought ahead, had my tiny camera on hand, and took photos of my walk through Fremont …

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Many years ago, the Rainier Brewery was located in south Seattle and a huge red “R” sat atop it. It produced horrible beer. It eventually closed down, and everyone was duly devastated – we, apparently, loved our crappy beer (you can still find it, but it’s made by a different brewer). The huge red R was removed and sent to the Museum of History and Industry. The brewery turned into Tully’s coffee headquarters, and the giant red R was replaced with a big green T. My cousin describes that as the day Seattle died.

This giant red “R” in Fremont is a replica of the beloved Rainier logo. It makes me a little sad to see it …

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I also spotted this sign in downtown Fremont. I absolutely loved it, because you’ll note the restricted hours are only during the daytime. Translation: if you want to loiter at night and sleep on the sidewalk, we won’t harass you. Way to go, Seattle, by not picking on the homeless.

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I was able to catch a bus from Fremont back to the U-district, during which I managed to sit next to a man so enthusiastically picking his nose, you’d have thought he was paid by-the-booger. This always happens to me. I’m trying to figure out ways around it but have yet to discover any (if I’m the crazy person picking my nose, then I won’t end up sitting next to another crazy person, right?). Having hopped onto the next available bus, and not really sure where it was headed, I ended up underneath the bridge I needed to be crossing. It wasn’t a total loss, since I discovered a graveyard of wrecking balls …

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Near the collection of wrecking balls, and underneath the University bridge is the Wall of Death. I struggle to explain it, so I’ll simply leave it up to the folks at the Seattle Weekly, who do a superb job.

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Not far away I noticed this mural. I have never seen it before in my life. It was kind of a nice realization, since even potholes and panhandlers become familiar in your hometown …

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As I walked, I encountered this little guy.

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I left him where he was on the sidewalk. I assume someone else came by and took him, because a few days later, he wasn’t there.

And, that was it, really. I eventually made it home, though I ended up walking further, and taking more time, than I had intended. Still, it was nice. I got to see parts of the city I usually don’t notice. Things I tend to simply pass by without a second thought. I highly recommend it.

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