Seattle advice

Hello,

My wife and I are spending five nights in Seattle between July 4th and July
8th (leaving Saturday, July 9th). Since we're driving in on the fourth, we
basically have the 5th through the 8th as full days to explore. We have to
spend one day on the Olympic Penninsula (fond memories for my wife) and one
day at Orcas Island (long time friend for me). We'll do one day
non-aviation or maybe even cultural. That leaves us one day to do either
Museum of Flight or Arlington.

Questions.

1. Arlington or Museum of Flight? My wife REALLY wants us to build a
Murphy, but she loves seeing rag and tube aircraft, as well as aircraft with
history. We've been to the (incredibly inconsistent) Golden West show a few
times, and other than the opportunity to see Jim Wright's HB-1, have been
pretty disappointed. Is Arlington that many levels above Golden West for
homebuilders or non-military plane nuts?

2. (Off topic - Larry, start bitching) - Fourth of July. What and where
are the fireworks opportunities for us (we're styaing at the Camlin, a few
blocks east of Pikes)?

Thanks for any hints.

-cj

Why not make the "cultural day" the Museum of Flight? ;-)

Seriously, that's a hard choice. The Museum of Flight is much less
than a whole day event. I would think three hours would be more than
enough. It has some fantastic displays though that would more than
please any history buff.

Do the museum in the early morning and then on to Arlington is my
advice. Arlington is only about 45 minutes away by car and, in my
opinion, worth the trip. I go there every year.

Antonio

CJ wrote:
Hello,

My wife and I are spending five nights in Seattle between July 4th and July
8th (leaving Saturday, July 9th). Since we're driving in on the fourth, we
basically have the 5th through the 8th as full days to explore. We have to
spend one day on the Olympic Penninsula (fond memories for my wife) and one
day at Orcas Island (long time friend for me). We'll do one day
non-aviation or maybe even cultural. That leaves us one day to do either
Museum of Flight or Arlington.

Questions.

1. Arlington or Museum of Flight? My wife REALLY wants us to build a
Murphy, but she loves seeing rag and tube aircraft, as well as aircraft with
history. We've been to the (incredibly inconsistent) Golden West show a few
times, and other than the opportunity to see Jim Wright's HB-1, have been
pretty disappointed. Is Arlington that many levels above Golden West for
homebuilders or non-military plane nuts?

2. (Off topic - Larry, start bitching) - Fourth of July. What and where
are the fireworks opportunities for us (we're styaing at the Camlin, a few
blocks east of Pikes)?

Thanks for any hints.

-cj

"CJ" wrote in message ...
1. Arlington or Museum of Flight?

Assuming you share your wife's interest in homebuilt aircraft, it's a
no-brainer IMHO. Forget the Museum of Flight and go to Arlington. You
could try to squeeze in the MoF as Antonio suggests, but they don't open
early and that, plus the long drive to Arlington (45 minutes on a good day,
but traffic might slow you down, especially as you get near Arlington, and
*especially* if you're arriving at the airshow late) means you'll be cutting
your time at Arlington short.

Note that the MoF is open late on the Thursday you're here (until 9pm) *and*
admission will be free. So really, what you ought to do is head over to the
MoF after dinner Thursday, and then spend all day at Arlington on Friday.


[...]
2. (Off topic - Larry, start bitching) - Fourth of July. What and where
are the fireworks opportunities for us (we're styaing at the Camlin, a few
blocks east of Pikes)?

"Pikes"? Perhaps you mean "Pike Place Market"? Not sure, since the Camlin
is actually about nine blocks east of the Market, but I don't know what
other "Pikes" you might be talking about.

In any case, you will be roughly equidistant from the fireworks over Elliott
Bay and over Lake Union. Public access is better at Elliott Bay, because of
the large waterfront park there. The largest open area for viewing the Lake
Union fireworks is Gasworks Park, at the north end of the lake, on the
opposite end of the lake from where you're staying. You might be able to
find a decent viewing spot on the south end of Lake Union somewhere though.
The south end of Lake Union and Myrtle Edwards Park (for the Elliott Bay
show) are both within walking distance from the Camlin (about a mile for
either).

Some people have opinions as to whether the Elliott Bay or Lake Union
fireworks are better. They are both big shows though, and I don't think you
can go wrong with either.

Some options to consider other than walking to either spot:

* You might check with the Camlin to see what sort of viewing
opportunities are available from there. They aren't the tallest building
around, but they're a bit uphill from a lot of the rest of the city. You
can probably get a good view of the Lake Union show from the hotel, and a
partial view of the Elliott Bay show as well. If you can get a top-floor,
northwest corner unit, you're golden.

* Another possibility for seeing both shows at once might be Volunteer
Park on Capitol Hill. It's a little farther of a walk (maybe 1.5 miles),
but I think it should have decent views of both shows. You could probably
see both from some spots on Queen Anne Hill (just west of Lake Union), but
then you'd be between the shows, which would probably mean you'd miss the
best of each. In either case, you'll want to get there early so you have
time to scout out good spots, since those aren't the "official" viewing
locations, and so sight-lines won't be ensured without some effort on your
part.

* A quick check on Google shows that the Argosy Cruise company (the
largest local boat cruise outfit) has fireworks viewing cruises. They've
got three different cruises; if I were picking, I'd go for the "Locks and
Fireworks" cruise, since it's the longest, only costs a little more than the
shortest, and in addition to providing viewing of the Lake Union fireworks,
will take you through the Ballard Locks. Of course, I think going through
the Locks is fun...if you don't like boating, and have no interest in large
public works projects like locks, you might not find it as enjoyable.
http://www.argosycruises.com/themecruises/default.cfm
Scroll down to the July section. There are other cruise outfits around, and
they may offer similar packages.

Whatever you do, don't drive yourself to the fireworks. If walking seems
daunting, take a cab or the bus. Those resources will be in short supply as
well, but it'll be a piece of cake compared to trying to find parking before
the fireworks, and trying to get out of parking after. Walking is unlikely
to take any longer than any other form of transportation, and may well be
quicker.

Pete

Peter Duniho wrote:
"Pikes"? Perhaps you mean "Pike Place Market"? Not sure, since the Camlin
is actually about nine blocks east of the Market, but I don't know what
other "Pikes" you might be talking about.


Pike street, most likely. Camlin is a block or two away from it.

"Milen Lazarov" wrote in message
ink.net...
Pike street, most likely. Camlin is a block or two away from it.

Pike Street runs east/west. It doesn't make sense to say you are any
distance east of it. There is also only one Pike Street. "Pikes" doesn't
make sense when referring to that street.

Pete

"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...
"CJ" wrote in message ...
2. (Off topic - Larry, start bitching) - Fourth of July. What and where
are the fireworks opportunities for us (we're styaing at the Camlin, a
few blocks east of Pikes)?

"Pikes"? Perhaps you mean "Pike Place Market"? Not sure, since the
Camlin is actually about nine blocks east of the Market, but I don't know
what other "Pikes" you might be talking about. Pete
Yes, Pike Place Market. Only been there once over 20 years ago and
mis-remembered "Pike" as being plural or possessive. I guess for someone
familiar with Seattle it is a faux pas comparable to when I hear people
mispronounce "Nevada".

-CJ

CJ wrote:
"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...

"CJ" wrote in message ...

I guess for someone
familiar with Seattle it is a faux pas comparable to when I hear people
mispronounce "Nevada".


In Iowa, that'd be ne-VAY'-duh.
About 30 miles northeast of Madrid (MADD'-ridd)

The other day I heard someone on a radio game show mention the character
of YOE'-se-myte Sam. How I thought yosemite was pronounced when I read
it in comics...

"StellaStarr" wrote in message
news:YSPme.21320$IC6.15683@attbi_s72...
CJ wrote:
"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...

"CJ" wrote in message
...

I guess for someone
familiar with Seattle it is a faux pas comparable to when I hear people
mispronounce "Nevada".


In Iowa, that'd be ne-VAY'-duh.
About 30 miles northeast of Madrid (MADD'-ridd)

The other day I heard someone on a radio game show mention the character
of YOE'-se-myte Sam. How I thought yosemite was pronounced when I read it
in comics...

My mother was born in the German part of Switzerland and a young adult in
the French part. Teaching her how to pronounce Tuolumne (a part of Yosemite
and a California county) was a chore. I finally told her to say "to all of
me" and leave off the "f".

-CJ

In article YSPme.21320$IC6.15683@attbi_s72,
StellaStarr wrote:
CJ wrote:
"Peter Duniho" wrote in message
...

"CJ" wrote in message ...

I guess for someone
familiar with Seattle it is a faux pas comparable to when I hear people
mispronounce "Nevada".


In Iowa, that'd be ne-VAY'-duh.
About 30 miles northeast of Madrid (MADD'-ridd)


Even more fun, there is the Arkansas River. Which is *NOT* pronounced like
the similarly-named State.

And pity the person who has to deal with both
Des Moines, Iowa and
Des Plaines, Illinois

Let alone "Mar-SAILS" Illinois.

And pity the person who has to deal with both
Des Moines, Iowa and
Des Plaines, Illinois

Let alone "Mar-SAILS" Illinois.

Don't forget Cairo (Kay-row), IL.

Of course, some cities are schizophrenic, even amongst their own townsfolk.

Keokuk, Iowa is pronounced "KE-o-kuk" by half the population, and "Ke-O-kuk"
by the other half. It's interesting to listen to their Unicom, and see how
each pilot pronounces it.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"