Day 50 – Wednesday, May 8th San Francisco to Seattle
Unable to use the check-in kiosk for Alaska Airlines, we had to find a person to process us. Elmer came up trumps, he was no fud. Not only was our baggage allowance recognised, he added further notes to ensure that our flight out of Seattle would be problem free.
Flying over Oregon, a decision that was not made lightheartedly. Apart from the zoo in Portland, I doubt if there was much to amuse Marg. Another zoo? In 2018, Dr. Stan’s Big Birthday Trip ended in Seattle, we were just finding the mother-lode of breweries when it was time to go home. This time, the Hector had our four nights planned.
This trip has spent quite some time on the edge of the Pacific Ring of Fire and on top of the Hot Spots (Hawaii). Having left San Francisco, the earthquake risk has subsided, for the next few days, a volcanic eruption becomes the next natural hazard.
The Cascade Mountains came into view from our vantage point at some 30,00ft. Mt. Shasta or Medicine Lake Volcano was the first encountered. This was followed soon after by Crater Lake, I never thought I’d see it in the flesh as it were. 
Mt. St. Helens was on the starboard side of the ‘plane, so the most famous mountain in the range was missed. However, Mt. Rainier loomed large, half the height of our flying altitude, and much closer on our descent to SeaTac Airport. We would see it every time we looked east from Downtown Seattle.
The Green Line (1) took us from SeaTac to International District/Chinatown. On alighting, it was straight to the ORCA card corporate office to get the necessaries. By clever planning and an on-time flight, we had an hour to spare before closing time. A lady trainee, supervised by a lady of Yoruba origin, processed our travel cards. This time the Hector merited the named card of an Honored Citizen, and travel at a fraction of the going rate.
Bus 4 to Belltown Inn took some time to arrive. Once again we were treated to a psycho drama involving a vagrant and a do-gooder. Our stop opposite Belltown Inn was adjacent to a congregation of down and outs. The fictional Elliott Bay Towers in Belltown is where Frasier lived. I don’t recall the vagrant being outside his apartment block.
Accommodation in Seattle does not come cheap. Once again I can post that the Belltown Inn is the most expensive hotel I have ever stayed at. The young chap at check-in said he was giving us an upgrade, always nice to hear,one wond ers what we might have got. Anyway, a large, bright, spacious room overlooking the city is what we were given. No view of the bay.
Chili’s South Indian Cuisine is where the Hector was headed first. Back on the Green Line heading north took us to the University District. Chilli’s is a matter of metres from the Metro station.
In 2018, Hector was here twice, it was that wonderful. A friend of Tracey B had made it known that the review on Curry-Heute of the second visit was posted in the window. As it happened, multiple copies were in situ around this wonderful Curry House. The only thing missing was our hostess – Anila. I promised we would return on Friday for lunch.
Back Downtown, it was time to show Marg some of Pike Place Market and the sunset. To the east, Mount Rainier, long overdue a performance. Fortunately there have been no overtures of late.
Starbucks, the original, was promised for a later time, it was definitely Bier o’clock, and Seattle is, IMHO, the Bier capital of the USA, the World even. When we reach New England, this viewpoint may change. I still cannot find New England on a map.
It was Scott, a USAAF veteran who led Dr. Stan and Hector to Cloudburst Brewing back in ’18. Located halfway between Pike Market and Belltown Inn, the plan was that this would become our – local.
The Bier list was studied, one stood out. Two Player Mode at 6.7% with Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic hops, it had to be. Two stunning hops in a juicy milkshake, this Bier was right on the button. A sensible abv, the body to match, there was no need to say anything else this evening. Marg was being super-indulgent.
Clouburst at source in Seattle WA, the Hector was home.
The brewery and restaurant visited today:
Cloudburst Brewing – 2116 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Chili’s South Indian Cuisine – 4220 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Day 51 – Thursday, May 9th
The Space Needle, one may be aware of it already, it’s totie in comparison to the Downtown buildings. Yet again the Hector had to ascend the heights to verify if this perception was true.
First lunch was to be had, where better than a random outlet in Pike Place Market? Sound View Cafe in the lower deck of the market was chosen, well, because it had a view. The usual food parameters were in vogue. Marg did well with her omelette and fries, the Hector, not so.
This morning I happened to read an article about Michael Caine. An unassuming chap, on a film set, he asked if a turkey sandwich was possible. Knowing that a sandwich in the USA is something different from a slice of cold meat between two slices of Mother’s Pride, I thought I would investigate. Way too dry, the obligatory cheese was naff, salad cream would have been better.
Not great bread, and Hector only ever has crisps with Bier. Is a steak much sandwich better?
Time to be tourists. Marg missed the chaps at the Fish Market throwing the fish after a sale. The Chewing Gum Wall was suitably disgusting.
As a consequence of Tom Hanks in – Big – the – Zoltar – machine was given the utmost respect.
With quite a few other interesting stores, we maybe spent longer here than expected. The avoidedance of acquiring needless chattels continues, we have a weight restriction until we reach Boston. This did not stop the Hector trying to locate a – Columbia -–sportswear outlet, with no success.
The Seattle Monorail was built in the early 1960s when this city hosted the World Fair.
The Monorail connects Downtown to the Seattle Center, a walkable distance, so apart from the passing tourist, probably a complete waste of money. The Orca Card was valid, so why not?
Having purchased the tickets for the Space Needle, we had to walk up a ramp to find the elevator. Wheech!
A glass floor, let’s not stand on that. Close to the edge, let’s not stand there.
I managed to secure photos of Fremont where I stayed in 2018, plus Ballard where we were headed next. Plus, of course, Mt. Rainier dominated the inland skyline.
With acrophobia, there are few places where one can stand in these constructions and not melt. Let’s get aff.
Bier o’clock
The D Line Bus took us north from 1st and Denny to 15th and NW Leary, right on the southern edge of what must be the finest cluster of breweries and taprooms anywhere on the planet. No nutters on this bus, but we had been warned about Bus 28. At the corner of NW Leary and 14th there was a small gathering, not a brewery, a food bank. Whilst one has sympathy for the needy, particularly those with non-self-inflected problems, what about them who were filling their SUVs?
Reuben’s Brews Taproom was choice #1. Visited in 2018, this was certainly one of the outstanding breweries encountered on that fateful day spent at this locus, and too late. Then, I had two, today one Bier only. After our days in San Francisco and Honolulu, it is clear I can keep Marg amused if we keep moving on. Just the five Hazy IPAs to choose from, though Quad Crush at 12.0% was a non starter.
Hazealicious at 6.0% felt like a decent starting point. A Hazy IPA / NEIPA, with Citra, Strata and Mosaic, this was truly wonderful. The full milkshake haze, the body, this is what I struggled to find so often in New Zealand. On a chaps trip, there would have been more of this, and others on the list tried. Hours would have been spent at Reuben’s, not today.
Great Notion Brewing – Ballard lay diagonally across the street.
Just the three NEIPAs around the 7.0% mark. Same ritual. Again, this was a large, welcoming venue, but I cannot verify of there was actually brewing at this site.
Pulpatine at 7.0% could not have been more Hazy unless it has been pure mango juice The photo does not do it justice. Another Bier I immediately wanted more of, to think I could have still been at Reuben’s... HBC 586, Galaxy, Nelson Sauvin and Mosaic hops, another winner.
Lucky Envelope Brewing lay a whole two blocks east.
Dr. Stan and I reached this late in the day back in 2018, the serving Doris was excellent. Alas, she has moved on and none of the staff today recognised her.
There was a queue, the end of a running club meeting, don’t people have work on Thursday afternoons? Who wears pink? Frelard – Fremont/Ballard?
As I queued outside, I sent Marg in to grab a table just in case it got too wild. The majority sat outside in the sunshine, not a place for Hector to drink Bier.
Twelve taps, but only one Hazy. Whilst it was good to be back, relive the memory, and take in today’s extravaganza, this time, definitely a one pit stop.
El Dorado at 6.4%, a Hazy IPA, the board was giving away no more. Momentarily, HBC 586, Citra Incognito, Mosaic and El Dorado hops were confirmed. A step down from what came before this felt a bit thin for the abv, Remember, on another day, I would still have been at Reuben’s.
*
*
*
With two venues previously visited and one new one, time to restore parity.
Bale Breaker & Yonder Cider Taproom was but half a block east. Another substantial building, here there was no queue.
There was a chuck wagon outside, and Marg was hungry. Bale Breaker boasts of having the largest outdoor seating area in Seattle. With the sun setting, it was safe to join them.
Thirty two taps, but half were Cider. Only one Bier was definitely brewed in Ballard, the remainder probably at the main plant at Yakima WA.
Moon River at 6.6% a Hazy IPA with Mosaic, HBC 586 and NZ Nectaron hops, there was nothing here not to like. The fist sip was a big hit, thereafter the same buzz was not quite attained. Maybe the palate needed a break, or reinvigorating.
Marg went to fetch food.
Today was the day, fifty days without a Burger, it had to be. A burger or nothing. The Beef Kamikaze was right up Hector’s street. I first met my now good friend – Jalapeno – in this very State, down in Vancouver WA.
When one knows what to expect, it takes the edge off. There was no escaping cheese, this is the USA. Marg also bought Croquettes, now we had a feast. One can never have too many Croquettes.
Then there was Marg’s drink, who knows what this was meant to be.
This was my fourth Bier of the day, I wasn’t caring much, but the brain did have a final stop-off in mind. In the direction of where we could get our bus back to Belltown, lies Trailbend Taproom. In 2018, the Doris at Lucky Envelope promised us that this bar would be the last place to close in Ballard and would have a worthy range of Bier on offer.
A block and a bit back west, we came across Wheelie Pop Brewing, Trailbend was immediately next door. We sat at the bar, it had been a while. Just as well, impressive as the board was, no abv was given. Marg announced she was having an Aperol Spritz, might as well join the party. The barman was excellent.
A choice from three became Under Under (No Boat Brewing Company, Snoqualmie WA) at 6.8% featured Nelson Sauvin and Motueka hops. Under Under is reportedly an ever changing brew featuring New Zealand hops. Tonight the Hector had another winner. This was a wonderful Bier on which to finish a wonderful day of Ballard-Seattle Bier drinking.
*
Bus 40 was a civilised affair. Heading south-east through Fremont, we passed Outlander Brewery & Pub which became Dr. Stan and Hector’s local back in 2018. Not tonight.
Our end stop was at 3rd and Virginia. This meant walking a few blocks back along 3rd Avenue which I now appreciate has quite a reputation for dereliction. I’ve seen worse, try Dumbarton (Scotland) town centre. The vagrant was at peace.
Hector was not for hitting the hay yet, there is always writing to be done. Unfortunately, a group of yoofs were intolerably loud as they ate their Takeaway at the large communal table in the reception area at Belltown Inn. Even the Hector knows when he is beat.
The breweries, taprooms, bar and restaurant visited today:
Reuben’s Brews – The Taproom – 5010 14th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107
Great Notion – Ballard – 5101 14th Ave NW Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98107
Lucky Envelope Brewing – 907 NW 50th St, Seattle, WA 98107
Bale Breaker & Yonder Cider Taproom – 826 NW 49th St, Seattle, WA 98107
Trailbend Taproom – 1118 NW 50th St, Seattle, WA 98107
Sound View Cafe – 1501 Pike Pl #501, Seattle, WA 98101
Day 52 – Friday, May 10th
Whilst Curry at Chili’s South Indian Cuisine was foremost in Hector’s mind today, Marg was keen to visit the original Starbuck’s afore. An early morning rise to minimise the wait, or even avoid, the queue. Early? We’re not flying today.
11.00 was early as Marg could get the Hector out of Belltown Inn. The short walk to Pike Place Market led us past Cloudburst Brewing, more on that tonight. Yes, there was a queue, but Marg was persuaded to just wait.
Well organised, there was a lady marshal who engaged with everyone as they reached the front of the line. Having paid little attention before, there was now time to take stock of what was happening. The queue was advancing steadily, how were they turning people over this quickly? Was there a rear door through which customers were departing? What about those who wished to have a second coffee, or just sit and relax?
The explanation as to how this conveyor system suddenly dawned. The #1 Starbucks outlet is – coffee to go – only. What?
Once inside, there was a photo frenzy. After all, this would be a once in a lifetime experience. Latte for Marg, Frappuccino for Hector, with cream on top, and why not? Marg extracted every bit of pleasure from our few minutes inside, chatting with everyone.
We took our coffee back across the road to the viewing balcony on Pike Place Market.
Mt. Rainier was still behaving.
And so back on the Green Line up to the University District and Chili’s.
Our Hostess, Anila, was not present as we once again took our seats, momentarily that changed. It was Marg who Anila recognised first having read Wednesday’s review already. Indeed, multiple printouts were to hand, soon laminated. Maybe one day I’ll get to see if today’s visit receives similar celebration. Lunch was, of course, excellent, and on-the-house.
Mutual respect, Curry-Heute features prominently at Chili’s South Indian Cuisine, the best Curry encountered in the West of the USA.
Big Time Brewery and Alehouse was almost directly across the street, however, Hector was keen to get back to Ballard. Marg wanted ice-cream, Sweet Alchemy, located at the Metro, was not sit-in, we had had done enough Takeaway today. Prior experience, Bus 44 runs east-west across North Seattle, to the north of Fremont, where I stayed in 2018, on to Ballard, and Bier.
Bier o’clock was decidedly early today.
Stoup Brewing was the closest to where we alighted, and was also the first brewery in Ballard visited in 2018. In 2018 there was a sense of family groups, today less so. In 2018, IPA was accepted as West Coast, but NEIPA was changing the palate. 
This trip has been unashamedly about exploring the latter, and so Cap Hill *Magic* at 6.3% was the go-to Bier. This proved to be the perfect start to another day. The full milkshake haze set the Bier to be totally – in the style. With a body matching the abv, this sat well on the plate. New Zealand hops, nothing not to like. Cryo POP, Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka Cryo featured. Who has been to Nelson?
Keeping to the one brewery, one Bier model, the next venue was being considered. I didn’t have to go far. Directly across the street lies – Urban Family Brewery – another brewery – in the pink.
Understandably quiet mid afternoon, there was still a good vibe here. Burning – by – The War on Drugs – had the Hector reach for SoundHound. Meanwhile there was Bier.
World Wide Wallabies at 5.5%, another New Zealand hopped delight. A NEIPA with the full milkshake haze and a body way thicker than most at this abv, this was totally tropical, excellent. Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka hops once again. I may have missed the hop harvest in Nelson-Motueka-Riwaka, however, the hops have reached these shores ahead of us, the Bier is ready and waiting for the transient Hector.
The temptation to stay in Ballard, try more breweries, re-visit the highlights of yesterday, not to be. Marg still wanted ice-cream, there was a Salt and Straw Cap outlet a few blocks west, however the Downtown venue caught the eye. As yet, I hadn’t set foot this far inland in this Seattle peninsula, cue a bus.
Bus 44 could have taken us almost to the door, but would have taken all day. Alighting at the University District we took the Green Line Metro down to Capitol Hill. This unveiled a walk past Cal Anderson Park, sites and architecture of Seattle different from Belltown. There was also the realisation that this area features a mini cluster of Breweries never explored, including another Stoup outlet.
We did pass Redhook Brewlab housed in the Pike Motorworks Building. Four nights in Seattle, I should have stretched it to five.
En route to Salt and Straw Cap, we also passed a statue commemorating a certain Mr. James Hendrix, a more than competent guitarist, who was born in Seattle. The ice-cream was small for the money, Bier is better value by far.
Crossing Interstate 5 was a landmark moment, the road which runs from Mexico, through California, Oregon and Washington to Canada.
I have certainly been on the southern stretch of this highway on a day trip to Tijuana from Los Angeles back in 2000. One day in Mexico, make that an afternoon.
There was a time out back at Belltown Inn, quite a warm afternoon.
Tonight was the last opperchancity to let rip in Seattle, another flight in two days. Little did I know what awaited.
Here Today Brewery & Kitchen is located directly west of our hotel, but with the Downtown Seattle grid tilted a la Brisbane, we had to take a series of right and left turns to reach the desired part of Elliot Avenue. Beyond the brewery lies Olympic Sculpture Park which Marg has encountered in her morning walk/exercise ritual. A railway line which must have been under our feet all along is on the surface at the brewery, now hugging the coastline. Frasier may have had a view over Elliot Bay from his fictional Tower, I do not see how Here Today Brewery can claim to be a waterfront establishment.
Marg fancied a cocktail. Oleander included the key phrase – Masala Chai – a favourite. What came was truly awful, even Marg admitted that this milky tea concoction was not to her taste. Meanwhile there was Bier to be selected. After two winners earlier, Glitter Paw at 6.4% was only – decent – or – de-saint?
A Hazy IPA / NEIPA with Warrior, Citra and Mosaic hops, it was the sense of mango which stood out. A better Bier may have commanded another, but tonight was about the return visit to Cloudburst.
Two Player Mode was the immediate attraction, still as wonderful as it was two days previously. The Hector was certainly congratulating himself for having chosen accommodation in Belltown.
As we were staying put, time to try something different. Not a Lawyer at 6.7% a Hazy IPA / NEIPA had the full milkshake haze, however, a slight tartness took the edge off. Simcoe, Cashmere and Citra were the featured hops.
As I entered my Bier score on Untappd so I became aware of somebody called Matthew doing the same. It didn’t take long to work out who it was. Born in Island, now resident in Edmonton (Canada), Matthew was taking the opperchancity to enjoy some Bier whilst his wife and daughter were at a teeny-bop concert nearby.
As we indulged ourselves in Two Player Mode, Marg was happy to have fresh meat with which to converse. Marg’s Bier knowledge ain’t too shabby, she has been to Bamberg (Bayern) often enough to hold her own even though she has only ever had a single Bier. Then of course there’s Czechia and Polska.
A 22.00 closing time, Hector was not last out, some known to the barman had that honour. I’m not from New Zealand, far too early for bed. Just The Tap was around the corner, a bar, what a bar.
Open until midnight, this turned out to be a – pour your own – venue a la – Off The Wall – Honolulu (Hawaii). We appeared to be first in, but there were people in the back room in this substantial venue. Having taken a $20.00 deposit, a young chap talked me through the process – doh! Marg managed to acquire a Bacardi, or similar, and cola.
The Biers which caught the eye were from Seattle breweries visited in 2018: Fremont Brewing, close to where we stayed, and the long established Downtown venue – The Pike Brewing Company.
Fremont’s Sky Kraken at 5.5% was described as a Hazy Pale Ale. It wasn’t. Almost clear, thin for the abv, it was an OK starter, but was not to be taken seriously. Should it have been Hazy? Was this another example of the staff not rolling the kegs before opening time?
Cosmic Pulp (Pike Brewing) took me surprise. A wonderfully Juicy IPA at 6.6%, if they had this at source back in 2018, Dr. Stan and Hector didn’t spot it. With the full milkshake haze and the juiciness living up to its classification, this was another joyful Bier experience today. Citra, Amarillo, El Dorado and Mosaic were the featured hops. There was more poured.
Our stay at Just The Tap was prolonged when yet another party broke out. A couple wearing interesting t-shirts had to be engaged. Emily RB and Åsmund joined us. Scandinavians of course, well it should be obvious given I can print the correct – Å – in WordPress, but not the correct – I – in Island.
We had an excellent hour in their company.
This was a long and near perfect day, what aurora borealis? Mysterious coffee, quality Curry, a free lunch, excellent Bier, a late night, but there was a mist on the horizon. At 04.30, our time, there’s an Old Firm match.
The breweries, bar, restaurant, coffee house and cafe visited today:
Stoup Brewing – 1108 NW 52nd St, Seattle, WA 98107
Urban Family Brewing Co. – 1103 NW 52nd St, Seattle, WA 98107
Here Today Brewery & Kitchen – 2815 Elliott Ave Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98121
Cloudburst Brewing – 2116 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Just The Tap – 90 Blanchard St, Seattle, WA 98121
Chili’s South Indian Cuisine – 4220 University Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105
Starbucks – 1912 Pike Pl, Seattle, WA 98101
Salt and Straw Cap – Pike Motorworks, 714 E Pike St Suite A, Seattle, WA 98122
Day 53 – Saturday, May 11th
Joe Biden, President of the United States of America is in Seattle today. So are Marg and Hector, our final day. A pity we cannot fit him into our itinerary, far too busy, we have a completely different agenda. Having missed out on the Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor (Honolulu), today was payback day for all the animals encountered in captivity on this trip. The Museum of Flight is situated at the southern end of Boeing Field and to the north of SeaTac Airport. This was as close as the Hector would get to a return to Renton.
The day began early, the trusty Oppo was switched on around 05.30, ah well. This season it appears that in Old Firm matches, The Famous score early, VAR disallow the goal, we lose. So it goes.
Somehow, we managed to head south without brunch. Bus 124 almost magically took us from directly outside Belltown Inn at 3rd & Bell all the way to the airfield. Our route passed through Georgetown, with just the six breweries, including other outlets for Elysian and Great Notion. As and when Dr. Stan reads these pages, he knows the future is not infinite and the ball is in his court.
The Museum of Flight is not just an aeroplane museum, the first hall we entered was about space.
It is written that after landing on the Moon in 1969, Neil Armstrong visited Kitty Hawk NC where the Wright Bothers made the World’s first powered flight, allegedly, as recently as 1903.
Leaving the room about space, where the exhibitors were keen to display the answer to the question everyone as to ask, we entered the main hangar. A Boeing B-17 was the first ‘plane encountered.
B-17
I had never seen a B-17, the Flying Fortress. Nearby, the B-29, the Superfortress, the ‘plane which bombed Hiroshima.
B-29
The demeanor of the Enola Gay flight crew suggests they may have appreciated the significance of this flight.
B-52
Outside the hangar was the B-52, Stratofortress which entered service in 1952 and was the stalwart heavy bomber for some forty years. Yes, the Hector has a fascination with ‘planes.
As I stood taking in the size of the Flying Fortress and just how close the belly – ball turret – was to the ground, we were approached by a chap, keen to talk to us. He was acting as the agent for Captain Dick Nelms, a WWII veteran, aged 101!
He had flown a B-17 over Deutschland on an insane number of missions. Twenty five missions was the initial norm before crew were rotated home to instruct.
The introduction of the long range fighter escort – Mustang – (left) as close to a copy of the Spitfire (right) one could build without infringing copyright, saw the number of missions raised to thirty, then thirty five. Dick Nelms completed the thirty five, Catch 22 invoked in reality. It was an honour to meet Capt. Nelms, we chatted for some time.
B-47
Strategic Air Command, a Cold War era movie starring another WWII war hero, James Stewart, featured the B-47 – Stratojet – which was parked beside the B-17. (If I have my photos interpreted correctly.)
Air Force One – Boeing 707
Air Force One, it’s not every day one gets to board such a well known ‘plane. However, the Boeing 707 featured here dates back to the 1960s, Kennedy, Nixon et al.
A Boeing 747 – Jumbo Jet – eventually replaced the series of 707s, what better than to board the prototype 747?
The icing on the cake was Concord. A huge ‘plane with minimal seating.
Concord
It didn’t look too comfortable, just as well the flights were short. The Hector get to do the pre-take-off drill.
We had to cross Interstate 5 by a bridge to the further exhibits.
Hector was home, behold the Messerschmidt Bf-109, a ‘plane so rugged in design it looks menacing.
Bf-109
Spitfire
The sleek lines of the Supermarine Spitfire may be graceful, I have always been drawn to the Bf-109, even though it was superced by the Focke-Wolf Fw 190 by 1941. Prior to WWII, the Bf 109 was originally powered by the Rolls Royce Merlin (eventually built in Hillington, Glasgow) as was the Spitfire, before, through necessity, a Daimler-Benz, air-cooled engine, had to be installed.. The two fighters exhibited, were unlikely to have met. With canons on the wing, this is a much later mark of Spitfire.
Mustang
Curtiss
In the same hangar, the P-51 Mustang, the inferior Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and the Russian, Yakolev Yak-9U. All look as if they mean business, again Spitfire clones?
Yak
Then there’s the US Navy fighter-bombers, some of which look as if they were hardly capable of flight. The Republic P-47D Thunderbolt and General Motors FM-2 Wildcat appear rugged, but slow.
Thunderbolt
Having seen Midway, both versions, and read too many books on this subject, it is generally accepted that some were sitting ducks.
Wildcat
Marg was hungry, as was the Hector, despite the visual elation providing sustenance.
The on-site Wings Cafe was our only hope. Chilli, a wee pot, a wee snack, lots of cheese. European sparkling water, yay.
WWI aeroplanes, it all started here.
Caproni
Today I learned that it was the Italians who first installed a machine on the monoplane – Caproni Ca 20. Was the gun pointing backwards? Thereafter, the familiar Sopwith Camel, S.E.5a, Albatros D.Va biplanes and Fokker Dr.I Triplane were on display.
Sopwith Camel + Snoopy
S.E.5
Albatros
Fokker Dr.1
The replica, dirty Fokker was done out in black, not the red of Baron von Richtofen. It was Arthur Roy Brown who shot down the Red Baron, not Charlie. Snoopy was spotted sitting on the wing of the Sopwith Camel.
The final hanger proved to be a ‘plane too far for Marg. She didn’t appreciate how many different aeroplanes could possibly have been built, more than animals in a zoo. The star of this section was the stunning Lockheed M-21 – Blackbird.
Blackbird
Whilst to this observer, the Americans were always seen to be catching up, piston fighter, passenger jet, jet fighter, this beast, unleashed in 1963 looks ahead of its time.
The edges say – stealth – yet this Mach 3 bomber, used as a reconnaissance jet, may well never have been used in anger.
Cruise Missile
Suspended from the roof was a series of drones including the recognisable AGM-86 (?) cruise missile.
V1 – Doodle Bug
No collection would be complete without the Fieseler Fi 103 “V1” – Doodle Bug – the World’s first turbojet flying bomb. Here’s an opperchancity to remind readers that Marg and Hector have visited Peenemünde (Deutschland) where the V1 and V2 were developed.
The ubiquitous Bell UH-1H “Huey” helicopter, yet seen in the flesh today for the first time, and the McDonnell F-4C Phantom II completed the sensible sightseeing.
Phantom
Then there was the Taylor Aerocar III, well it was the 1960s.
Taylor Aerocar III
This is a précis of the vehicles seen today, as with Pearl Harbor, The Museum of Flight deserves its own page.
As we stood at the bus stop outside what was the original Boeing HQ, so Mt. Rainier loomed, nearer than seen already.
Back in Seattle, Marg wanted ice-cream. You’d think it was hot, wait until tomorrow. Gelatiamo, another chain, provided the necessaries. This found us Downtown, it was Bier o’clock.
The Pike Brewing Company was first visited in 2018, as is written, this is where we met Scott, another USAAF veteran, who promptly led us to Cloudburst. Until yesterday, I had no plan to return, then I sampled Cosmic Pulp late last night at Just The Tap. The Hector had to have this wonderful Bier – at source.
The interior of Pike Brewing remains dramatic. In addition to brew plant, the multi-level, multi-tap brewpub, is adorned with Bier paraphernalia. A veritable museum of Bier memorabilia.
Despite Hector’s warning, Marg ordered Root Bier. Bubblegum is how it tastes to me, Marg went as far as – not pleasant.
As reported yesterday, Cosmic Pulp at 6.6% was as good as it gets.
All American Hops, Mosaic, the first daughter of Citra and Nugget, tends to be a winner.
Marg was hungry, I suppose after the wee pot of Chilli, it was dinner time. Fish & Chips for Marg, Buffalo Wings for Hector.
Always better than pizza or burger, and a vast improvement over what Dr. Stan ate back in 2018.
Sat in a room off, one always wonders why staff lead you to a certain locus, we were well looked after. A top rated Juicy IPA / NEIPA served at Pike, yesterday I had not anticipated this, now we know.
Cloudburst Brewing, for the final time, and a decent Ginger Beer for Marg. Frustratingly, there was no more Two Player Mode. It was available in a Can four-pack, I might have considered a single, nope. The serving Doris did not impress. She could have split a four-pack, she could have changed the keg, the classic useless girlie.
Please Wait To Be Seated at 6.9% captured the atmosphere, everything on her terms. A Hazy IPA with the expected milkshake haze, this was sharp tasting on the palate. With a relatively high IBU of 50, not a surprise. East coast meets West? It did settle but in no way as good as Two Player Mode. Vista and Citra were the hops.
Perhaps a disappointing end to my final Cloudburst visit, but let’s take stock. Four visits in total, I shall never again visit a US brewery this often. It also confirms that Belltown is a good district to inhabit.
There was a final venue which had caught the eye over the last few days. Locust Cider Market Place serves Bier and Cider.
Marg had the 5.0% Juicy Peach Cider, this was to her liking. For Hector, his last ever Bier in Washington.
Enchantments (Icicle Brewing Co., Leavenworth WA) at 6.9% was soft on the palate, undemanding for the abv, worryingly so? Hydra, Citra and Mosaic hops, I could have had another, but it was time to draw a line under Seattle.
Tomorrow Las Vegas NV.
The breweries, bar and cafes visited today:
The Pike Brewing Company – 1415 1st Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Cloudburst Brewing – 2116 Western Ave, Seattle, WA 98121
Locust Cider Market Place – 2003 Western Ave Suite 110C, Seattle, WA 98121
Gelatiamo – 1400 3rd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Wings Cafe – 9404 E Marginal Wy S, Seattle, WA 98108
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