The University District

Unfortunately I had to return to Waltham yesterday morning (via overnight red-eye) after an all-too-short vacation; Seth is spending one last week in funky Seattle.  Tomorrow I return to FSU and Olin College!  For the rest of the day, however, I will just remind myself of the lovely U District... 

The Burke Gilman bike path seemed to go pretty much everywhere, including through UW and to Ravenna Park

A mini sculpture honoring the hummingbirds (Black-Chinned) of Ravenna Park

Ravenna Park, where we would go running.  As beautiful as Prospect Hill Park, but a bit smaller and sketchier

 

 

A wall of blackberries made for a long distraction at the end of our runs

 Lamppost art along The Ave

 Cafe Allegro, the oldest continuously operated coffee shop in Seattle 

 Full Tilt ice creamery was an awesome find!  Fairly cheap, huge scoops, and lots of crazy flavors

 Lavender and vegan Mayan chocolate (made with coconut milk)

 After  2 months of picking blackberries, Seth was able to fill 6 32-oz containers worth of daily "leftovers".  This was the equivalent of 5 cobblers and a pan-full of compote, which later exploded in my backpack during my flight back to Boston :o(

 University of Washington campus

 

 The exquisite Suzzallo library, where we spent quite a few hours (Seth is probably there right now...)
 

The "Harry Potter Reading Room" of the Suzzallo

 
 The bizarre and fascinating Monkey Puzzle tree--a living fossil!

 

 

 

 The nearby Catholic Newman Center, where we attended mass and had the BBQ movie night (unfortunately I didn't get a picture of University Lutheran Church, where we went the following week)

 The path to Husky Place, Seth's apartment

 Tight quarters, especially with two people!

University Way NE, aka The Ave.  Gritty, grungy, and full of punk street kids and delicious places to eat.  Think of UNC's Franklin Street, only The Ave is longer and dirtier  

Here are some pictures Seth took with his new camera

The mountain (Mt Rainier) "comes out" only a couple months of the year

Hummingbirds were everywhere on campus!  I miss those cheeky little guys (we don't have them near us in Waltham, since there's so little vegetation)

Like any good college town, the U District is known for its cheap international cuisine.  Of all the exotic restaurants, we couldn't help but go out for phở, twice.  The extra-large at this restaurant was the biggest I had ever seen... and we cleaned our bowls. 

A barista showing off his talents (Capitol Hill)

One can't possibly live in Seattle without having lots and lots of tattoos and knowing a thing or two about kayaking (Alki Beach)