Amazing Race at GCCC

September 29, 2013

What a fun day! Gold Creek Community Church Amazing Race was a great experience with our small group.

Gold Creek created an Amazing Race, styled after the CBS hit show all over our community. Our small group formed 2 teams: 5 boys against 6 girls. The ladies called themselves The Bigby small group: The Better Half.

At Sunday church service we had to go together and watch and listen during service for the code word starting with AR. It’s funny that while everyone was home for lunch with their significant others who everyone reacted; who was secretive, who tried to fool their spouse & who felt they could not trust anything the other said! As Joe said; Funny how a little friendly competition makes you question everything your spouse says.
Jackie getting ready for Gold Creek Church-The Amazing Race.

Bigby Team: The Better Half ready to race!

First task: each team had to stack chairs filling 2 carts worth in the sanctuary. This task is what did the girls team in. After being given the okay as the other teams ran out of the room, their chair stacks fell over. Our team spent time saving them from falling on people. We also stacked the chairs the wrong way twice. We were in dead last leaving the sanctuary. 

Second task: one team member had to sit on a skateboard while the rest of the team pushed and pulled them from the back parking lot behind the church to the front entrance drive. Of course with the girls being last Jackie had to sit her butt on the smallest skateboard the would not go straight.

Third task: The entire team had to run down to Island Time to earn a number of tickets playing skeeball and other similar arcade games.

Fourth task: At a storage facility nearby we had pop sheets of bubble wrap and climb through boxes into a small room to find our next clue for the next task.

Fifth task: We had to run back up to Gold Creek Community Church to scoop up 10 goldfish from a kiddy pool either with a frying pan or our bare hands.

Sixth task: Our next clue led us to Willis Tucker Park playground. We found the last #10 clue on the spiderweb structure.

Seventh task: We had to sing a "King" song to 3 expert judges (Pastor Larry and 2 others). We made up some time here by passing a team or 2. These judges were tough. You really had to put on the song and dance as a group to get through.
Eighth task: This clue was hard. No google search would help. Britton thankfully recalled this place on Hwy 9 that had a beach volleyball court. Bottega Fitness Personal Training had an obstacle course set up the entire team had to do.

Ninth task: We had to go to McDonalds. We ran in only to hear someone else to use the drive-thru. We never saw Cheryl to get the actual clue. We went thru the drive-thru and got our food & drink. We all had to get out of the car to eat all the food & drink before getting the next clue. The boys didn’t follow the rules. They got the drive-thru attendants not give them French fries and they dumped their soft drink so they had a lot less to scarf down.

Tenth task: We went to Glacier Peak high school football field. One team member had to search under cones on the field for our team number 10 and then we were given a puzzle to put together as a team. Ours somehow had an extra piece. That must have been a mistake. 

Eleventh task: Someone on the team had to kick a 20 yard field goal. Britton went first, no good. Kim went and first try the kick is good! The boys did it even easier. While everyone was listening to instructions, Ryan Bigby steps up and puts it straight through the uprights.

Twelfth task: We had to free our bag of 10 goldfish in the pond of someone’s backyard. Then bucket by bucket transport water up the hill from the pond to fill a bin to a certain level. We made up some time here by bending the rules. It never mentioned we couldn't fill our plastic bag the goldfish were in as well as the given bucket. As we ran out we noticed the boys team forgot their bucket plus other objects at this obstacle site. We began the internal debate if we should tell them or not. We were supposed to hold onto our bucket throughout the entire race and bring it to each obstacle as well as have all our clues at the end.

Thirteenth task: This was the toughest obstacle yet. The reason why we were told to wear something we didn’t mind getting wet. As we reached the backyard of this home, we were told the entire team had to get in the pool to collect 10 rubber duckies with our team number on them. Sara, Autumn and I quickly got down to our bathing suits and waded into the FREEZING cold pool for find the rubber duckies marked with a #10 on the bottom in the middle of the pool. Some of the other ladies waded into shallow end to find rubber duckies on the edge. It was so cold! We blasted the heat once we got our next clue.

Fourteenth task: This next clue really tripped us up saying it’s a popular destination on the 11^th of July. We were thinking 4^th of July at Silver Lake or something. The boys saw our car in the empty parking lot right when the date clued us in. 7-11! We drove over and sucked down a slurpee.

Fifteenth task: The next clue tripped us all up for a bit. A popular grocery store with international items. It took re-reading the top title: Market in the Middle. Central Market! The boys really lost time with this one. They were in first place. They went to Trader Joe’s before figuring it out.

Sixteenth task: We finally found Pastor Larry at the north entrance for our next clue. We had to find particular license plates on cars in the parking lot.

Seventeenth task: Next clue took us to Spotted Cow Cream and Bean. Here we waited in line to order a coffee. We made our order and gave the barista a wink to complete the task.

Eighteenth task: We were given a clipboard and ordered to get 10 people’s signatures on our petition to stop the rain in Seattle. We caught 2 girls running by, one that knew we were doing the Amazing Race because she heard about it at Gold Creek. We went over to Blazing Onion’s outdoor patio to try some guys in football jerseys. It took a little flirting but we got their signatures.

The boys team read the top of the next clue that read 'Pit Stop' which caused Joe to drive them quickly over to Clay Pit, an Indian restaurant in Mill Creek Towne Center. 4 guys run in and the hostess asks 4? And Bigby exclaims "YES Team 4!" It is then that they realize they were in the wrong place and run out. We still chuckle about this to this day.

Nineteenth task: This clue took us to Les Schwab Tire. Here we had to wash our car and tires to the judge’s high standards. We also had to eat some Taco Bell and then got our next final clue.

Twentieth task: We went back to Gold Creek to answer tough questions about things from our clues. Solon gave us some tips to help us finish faster.

Twentieth first task: Run around the parking lot to the back entrance to church. We made it to the finish line!

Kim, Autumn, Jackie, Margo, Sara & Britton at the final line 

The girls at finish line in their t-shirts

The boys at the finish line still upset with their misprinted clue. It was blank! 

We had a blast on our 3.5 hour race involving frying pans, storage facilities, obstacle courses, cold swimming pools and rubber duckies, 7-11 slurpees, Central Market, Spotted Cow, tacos, Les Schwab, and lots of running like mad men. 

Dim Sum & MOHAI

September 28, 2013

Today we took advantage of the Smithsonian inspired National Free Museum Day. We went to MOHAI, Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry.

First we met up with our friends Robert, Krishane, Jamie and Jason to eat dim sum at Jade Garden for breakfast when it opened.

A visit to MOHAI was the perfect rainy day activity. 

Cool sculpture made from an old wooden boat 

99 bottles of beer on the wall…and all of them local. We've tried pretty much all of them!

The Hobos’ Code: take your best guess

Great detailing on the vertical circulation

619 Western Ave

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Today's GGLO Thursday crit was a GLY Construction Tour of 619 Western Ave Building. This building to located in the Pioneer Square historic district, located next to the viaduct and directly above the new tunnel being dug by Bertha.

Once the Viaduct is down, this building will have excellent access to the waterfront. The ground floor will have 2 retail or restaurant tenants and office space on floors 2-6. The developers preserved as much as possible from the original structure: original floors, ceilings, beams, columns and window frames.

A new parking garage was added underground. The common area for all building tenants is a key fob-accessed rooftop deck with dramatic skyline views was the true gem for this property.

Chance Fly Catch

September 21, 2013

Who needs Mr Miyagi with chopsticks when you have Chance to catch the fly?

Bushes

September 21, 2013

Why must I basically murder these bushes every 6 months in order to still get daylight in my windows?!? Left has been trimmed, right is only partially cut down 

Olympic National Park: Part 2

SATURDAY 8/31/13

It was beautiful clear morning at Kalaloch Lodge! 

Our cabin, L32 

The view of the Pacific Ocean from our cabin 

Mommy and me in front of our cabin 

View down to Kalaloch Beach from Kalaloch Lodge 

Kalaloch Lodge

Mommy and me at Kalaloch Lodge 

We drove up to Ruby Beach for beautifully clear photos.

We can actually see Ruby Beach between the trees today. 

Joe, Andy, Jackie, Chance, Sharon and Rick at Ruby Beach 

Ruby Beach 

Pacific Ocean from Ruby Beach 

Ruby Beach and the Pacific Ocean 

Family photo-op with Chance on Second Beach near La Push on a clear morning 

Andy, Jackie and Mommy 

Andy & Mommy on Second Beach 

Dad and Mom walking on Ruby Beach 

Destruction Island Lighthouse 

Dad walking close along the ocean’s edge, pressing his luck again. He sure likes to walk on the edge. 

Waves crashing into the seastacks at Ruby Beach 

Ruby Beach 

Joe and Chance at Ruby Beach 

Mom and Dad admiring the Ruby Beach seastacks 

Ruby Beach to the south with a slight haze 

My brother Andy drew a pretty nice house on the beach. Architecture must run in the family! ;) 

Dad and Mom leaving Ruby Beach 

One last look at Ruby Beach 

Next we drove to Lake Crescent.
We hiked down the Spruce Railroad Trail to big swimming location at the bridge beside Devil’s Punchbowl.
Mom is so cute on the creek log crossing. 

I found Andy a mossy walking stick almost as tall as him 

The beautiful blue waters of Crescent Lake 

Joe on the bridge at Lake Crescent 

The water is so clear green blue here! 

Kayakers in Lake Crescent 

Joe jumped in the frigid lake and Jackie was quick to follow 

Jackie and Joe swimming over to the rocks with a rope to climb out of the lake 

Jackie said she would jump off the cliff if Joe would… 

Joe’s turn to jump in the Devil’s Punchbowl in Lake Crescent 

Jackie’s turn to jump in the Devil’s Punchbowl in Lake Crescent 

I had some many knots in my belly and so many people watching on the shore, in their boats and kayaks. 

Jackie’s turn to jump in the Devil’s Punchbowl in Lake Crescent 

Dad, Andy, Joe, Chance and Mom at Crescent Lake 

This time on the way back on the trail, I made sure we saw the offshoot to this cool little point with great views of Lake Crescent. 

Ducks on Lake Crescent 

Joe, Chance and Dad at the lake edge

Family photo-op with Chance at Lake Crescent 

We finished our hike back to the car 

We drove to Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
The car stopped going in all gears and had Joe very worried when the service engine light came on. We made it to the top of the mountain. The engine was hot and it looked like a possible transmission issue.
While the car cooled, we walked as the deer grazed alongside the visitors.
The view from the Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center 

Deer grazing on Hurricane Ridge 

We went to the northern overlook to see Vancouver Island (home to Victoria) in British Columbia, Canada & the Strait of Juan de Fuca. 

Dad’s phone notified him we were no longer in the country and was subject to roaming charges. Atop Hurricane Ridge, the closest cell towers to pick up are in Canada!

Mom, Andy and two lovebirds that obviously can’t stand to be next to each other after their jumps in the lake. 

Dad and Mom walking along Hurricane Ridge 

Hurricane Ridge, gorgeous as always 

We hiked up Hurricane Hill for a bit. 

Looking back at how far we’d come up Hurricane Hill 

We spooked a deer off the trail and off into the woods 

The height and fearless deer on the trail made Andy a little jumpy. 

Stoehrs on Hurricane Hill trail 

Rick and Sharon on Hurricane Hill trail 

As we hit the major uphill portion we turned back to the parking lot. There was a bald eagle circling the parking lot! It was only a spec in the sky but it was obvious from the white head that it was a bald eagle.

As we walked back to the Hurricane Hill parking lot, we saw that same deer we spooked. 

Even back down you can’t help but want to take more photographs. 

We drove back down the mountain to have Mexican for dinner in Port Angeles.

With the sunset behind us, we made our drive to Kingston to catch the ferry home to Mill Creek.

SUNDAY 9/1/13

We went to 9am mass at St Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Bothell. After mass we stopped at Central Market, our fancy grocery store to pick up some fresh salmon for dinner. Mom was extremely excited to find rhubarb here for half the price that they can get it for in NC. We bought the fixings for strawberry rhubarb pie.
Dad had a feeling he had strep throat so he went to get checked at the Everett Clinic in Mill Creek. We shopped at the University Bookstore & Pier 1 while he got checked. No strep, just a virus and clogged sinuses.
We ate sausage gravy biscuits for brunch.
We went to Silver Lake while Joe had the car checked.
Lily pads on Silver Lake 

It turns out the problem with the Xterra is it’s an electrical issue. Good that it’s not the transmission, but bad that it’s going to be incredibly hard to find the electrical short issue on the car.

We went down to Snohomish for antique & record shopping.
We filled the growler at Fred’s with Deschutes Twilight Summer to have with dinner.
Joe smoked the salmon while Mom, Dad and Jackie worked on the homemade pie crust, pie filling and crumb crust. 

We watched the action packed movie ‘Olympus Has Fallen’ after dinner.

MONDAY 9/2/13

This morning to went out for dim sum at Jade Garden in the International District/Chinatown in Seattle, which is a chinese style of eating with carts of small plates brought around to the tables for you to pick and choose what you would like to eat. My family seemed to enjoy it.
Next went on the Underground Tour in the Pioneer Square area of Seattle.
Pioneer Building, where the Underground Tour begins, in Doc Maynard’s

Chief Seattle statue 

In 1899, a 60 foot totem pole from Fort Tongass, Alaska was unveiling in Seattle’s Pioneer Square, which was actually stolen. In 1938, an arsonist seriously damaged the totem. In 1940 it was replaced with a replica carved by the descendants of the carvers of the original totem. The raven on top looking north down First Avenue. 

Pioneer Square, atop the Underground of the city we are about to go explore 

Inside Doc Maynard’s where we heard about the history of the founding of the City of Seattle

The “crapper”, invented by Thomas Crapper of England was a great addition to the city to have indoor toilets, except the raw sewage pumped down the hill to the tidelands would shoot out of the crappers twice a day when the water level and pressure rose. 

Seattle’s Original Water System was hollowed out wood logs. I’m glad the fire happened so they could improve the system. 

The old rusty steel beams under the sidewalks which are now reinforced I beams underneath 

The underground, the old sidewalks immediately after the Great Fire beneath the current sidewalks above

Glass tile sidewalk above lighting the underground 

Next we went to Fremont for used bookstore shopping, record shopping at Jive Records and vintage antique shopping. Dad found 17 records worth fitting in his suitcase to bring home.

Fremont, the Center of the Universe, direction sign 

We got some gelato in Fremont to combat the hot summer day or at least it was hot to us Seattleites.

We drove over to Gas Works Park to watch the seaplanes land and view the houseboats along Lake Union.
Gas Works houseboats 

Kayakers on Lake Union from Gas Works 

Seaplane taking off

Andy, Mom and Jackie at Gas Works Park with Lake Union and downtown Seattle beyond

Mom and me at Gas Works Park with Lake Union and downtown Seattle beyond 

Joe, Andy, Mom and Jackie at Gas Works Park with Lake Union and downtown Seattle beyond

Gas Works Park 

Next we drove over to Woodinville to visit Chateau Ste Michelle for a winery tour and wine tasting. 

We tasted another of the merlot which didn’t quite taste the same as the one we had at Kalaloch Lodge. 

Dad picked up another bottle of merlot for dinner and we promised Mom to open a bottle of their Riesling we have at the house. The winery was packed because they were having their last concert of the summer that evening. 

Me and Mom at Chateau Ste Michelle 

For dinner we had wine and hot dogs over the fire on the back deck. Jackie wasn’t feeling well.

TUESDAY 9/3/13

It was an early morning rainy drive to the airport to say goodbye to Jackie’s family, the Stoehrs. They got a great taste of the Pacific Northwest: ferry boats, rainforest, beach seastacks, mountains, lakes, historic city underground, houseboats, seaplanes and good times with family.