Seattle - Part 1 - Bikes, Bloggers and Noshing......Oh My.

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This year marks the third year in a row that we have attended the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Seattle. The show is okay, but we use it as an excuse to get together with fellow bloggers and visit and enjoy each others company.

Historically we would leave super early on Saturday morning and only stay overnight one night. This year we decided to change it up a bit and stay overnight both Friday and Saturday nights.

We took Friday afternoon off work and managed to make it to the hotel about 6 pm.

We checked in and used the iPad to search for a dinner location, yes Google is our friend. We found a place called Bamboo Garden - Vegetarian Cuisine. The reviews online were promising. All vegetable proteins and the only eggs were in the fortune cookies. We walked the 6-8 blocks to the restaurant and were pleasantly surprised. It wasn't fancy but the food was awesome and the staff friendly. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

(view from our window booth)

(Troubadour had the #107 Singapore Style Rice Noodles)
(stir fried thin rice noodles with 'chicken' and vegetables in curry sauce)

(I had the #106 Gourmet Chow Mein - Lo Mein)
(pan fried thin noodles with mixed vegetables, 'sausage' and 'chicken')

From there we needed a walk to allow some time for dinner to digest. We knew we had some time before Bobskoot and Mrs. Skoot arrived at the hotel. We were staying by the Space Needle and decided to wander and take a few pictures.

(Every year they seem to have the same light-ball tree on display)

(and this year an interesting topiary)

We wandered a little more and I took a few more odd pictures.

(approx 20 ft tall metal sculptures painted to look like wood panels)

By the time we arrive back at the hotel Bobskoot had arrived and checked in. He wanted to go down to Pike's Place Market to take some night shots of the neon signs. I managed to take a few with my little Canon point and shoot that didn't turn out too awful.

(Look carefully for Bobskoot hiding in the middle)

(Creative liberties taken with iPhoto)

(somehow the flags were in the wrong place - so wrong)

(when pigs fly......)

We got back to the hotel at midnight, warmed up and headed to bed.

Saturday morning after having breakfast at the hotel we went to the convention center to the show. This is where we met up with Orin and also SonjaM and her hubby.

After chatting for a bit we all entered the show. Everyone kind of went their separate ways to check out the bikes and displays. I don't think I saw Sonja again until we met up for lunch. Here are some random shots taken the morning of the show.

(Troubadour on the 2012 V-Strom 650)

(A bike entered in the custom build off)

(started it's life as a 1968 Honda trail 90 now with a 12 inch frame stretch)

(Troubadour trying on a new Arai)

(new 2012 Triumph Tiger Explorer 1200)

(custom bike by Chris Flechtner, 1965 BSA engine)

(the boys watching Bobskoot on the 2012 Tiger 1050)

(Harley V-Rod entered in the custom bike build off)

(Orin on the 2012 Tiger 1050)

(ummmm not too sure - you tell me)

On that note, I'll stop now before this post gets too long and obnoxious. I'll do the lunchtime food porn, afternoon bike pictures and Sunday dim sum/food porn in a follow-up post.

- Au Revoir

"If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone. A man should keep his friendships in constant repair." ~ Samuel Johnson

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