it always takes time to get home after work around 5 or so, that's just a given. but until recently there have always been ways around the worst of it. my standard route between downtown bellevue and south where i live has always been lake washington boulevard (also known as 118th). most of the time you can avoid the worst of the freeway traffic, with maybe a little backup. the past few times i've attempted it, however, the backup has been miles long (literally), and i've turned around to go other ways. bellevue way to 90 to 405 always sucks because of the merger onto 405 south, and factoria is usually no better. and, to top things off, things got so bad that the other day i decided to actually take the freeway, since i was on the bike and i could just jump in the HOV lane. did it work? hell no. the carpool lane was, for much of the time, slower than the rest of the freeway. what gives? i've just stopped trying to come home between 5 and 6:30. i'll get a cup of tea and read my book. it's far more enjoyable than sitting in traffic and, once i decide to head home, things are actually reasonable, traffic-wise.
the upside to all this is that i have been riding my bike. the past few days commuting i've bundled up in the morning and braved the cold, gray mornings. it hasn't rained too hard so far. i haven't been able to ride elsewhere that much mostly because i've had to carry things here and there. my winter gear has held up remarkably well so far, and i haven't even had to layer that much. my new coat keeps me nice and comfortable with only a t-shirt underneath, so that investment is thusfar paying off nicely. i'm really enjoying the regular riding again, even in the chilly weather. and parking is a cinch. today will be the first day i get to commute to seattle again on the bike, so we'll see how the bridge goes with the new gear, but i'm not too worried. it's even supposed to clear up later today.
so, continuing the trend of late, here are some more pictures from my travels, for those that just skim these for photos. this is the universal studios round, with these first few from jurassic park. this is how i want to paint my explorer. my dad seems opposed, for some reason...
and the visitor's center. classic.
next we have some harry potter land stuff, for those rowling-buffs out there. i have to admit, the whole thing was amazingly well done, down to the last detail. these pictures will hopefully give you an idea of what everything looked like as a whole. hogwarts castle, hogsmeade and the defense against the dark arts classroom. pretty cool.
and this was all in 90 degree florida weather. there were times i really wished it was really snowing.
and finally, a blast to the past for those who are high school friends. we made sure not to miss the blues brothers show, and here is the bluesmobile.
i have to say, it was a pretty good show. jake was pretty convincing, but i did a much better elwood. decent singer, but definitely not a baritone.
that'll do for now. next time i'll have more pics from the second half of the trip, starting with washington dc.
rftc,
scott
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