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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

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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11 comments:

  1. So cool you guys got together. The last pic looks like a Huyabusa....ugly thing it is to. Some great pics there.

    I am keen to see the Triumph Adventure in real life that is for sure.

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  2. Didn't we have a good time? Meeting with friends, good food, weather playing along... and motorcycles. You night pics are great. Superb perspectives. The Pub ic Market gave me quite the chuckle.
    Have a wonderful Christmas and a Great New Year! Hope to see you again in 2012!

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  3. Trobairitz:

    any excuse to get together is good with us. We get to enjoy your company and sample new food and discover new places to eat. The weather was great, otherwise it would have been too cold to go down to the Market for night photos. Your photos are nicely composed

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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  4. I knew it! Bob says on Riepe's blog that he wishes for a BMW R1200R but he is constantly petting and yearning after Triumphs!

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  5. That is a great shot of the arches near the Pacific Science Center and the composition of the Space Needle is wonderful. I'm looking forward to the next part. Too bad that I wasn't able to extend my stay for a couple of more days but I really needed to get back home. It would have been nice to see everyone.

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  6. @Raftnn - Not sure what the zebra bike was, but it was ugly. The Triumph Adventure was nice, but big and I hear it was heavy too.

    @Sonja - we did have a great time. Thanks so much for coming down. It was nice meeting your hubby for the first time too. Hope to see you too in 2012. Enjoy the holidays.

    @Bobskoot - I agree, any excuse works. When you meet near the middle, it is easy.

    @Nikos - I don't know which one Bobskoot liked better, the Tiger 800 or BMW R1200R - maybe we need to ask him. I was surprised at how much Troubadour liked the R1200R though.

    @Richard - Sure wish you could have joined us, but I know how hard it can be to change plane tickets. At least we get to see you at coffee now and again. Thanks for the compliments on the photos. They turned out pretty good for a point and shoot.

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  7. The flags are both so wrong, and so right, at the same time. Great night photos and you may have seen the same light ball tree before, but I like it.   I don't however like the, err, zebra bike. Why would anybody want to do that? It was great that you all got together. Next year, Jackie and I might be in Seattle around this time, so if you do make it for a fourth time....

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  8. I, too, like the light-ball tree. I, also, find the bike by Chris Flechtner very interesting -- simple & solid looking.

    Thanks for the share.

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  9. Great wandering and night shots. Happy you all got together and had a great time. I keep hearing good things about the triumphs... :)

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  10. @Gary - The flag placement was definitely odd. Would be awesome if you and Jackie could make it for next year's get together.

    @Mike - Fast zebra indeed. Me thinks the hyenas couldn't catch it.

    @CircleBlue - Chris' bike was really cool. I voted for it. I took a few more pictures of it I will put in a future post.

    @BeemerGirl - I don't think you can go wrong with a Triumph, and I hear good things about Beemers too.

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