Geek Mecca
This weekend Aaron and I journeyed to the Geek Mecca of Seattle’s new Science Fiction Museum. Pilgrims flocking to the holy site are denied the opportunity to touch such sacred relics as the chair of Captain Kirk and the helmet of Darth Vader, but the thrill of being so close to pieces of geek magic is still pervasive.
I told him about a week ago to have his bags packed for a mystery trip this weekend. We left PDX just shy of 6am (I wanted to arrive at the museum when it opened!) and got to Seattle around 9am. It was sort of a meandering route to get there because I didn’t want him to guess where we were going. After we checked into our hotel, we started walking towards Seattle Center. We followed the monorail track, which led us to the front door of the museum.
“Okay, this is our final destination. Surprise!!!”
I think he was speechless for a minute. He had heard that such a museum was in the works, but had no idea that it was open. Score! I had been hoping to completely surprise him — mission definitely accomplished. The museum was super cool. More than a third of the exhibits came from the personal collection of Paul Allen. At one of the displays dominated by placards that read, “Courtesy of the Paul Allen Family Foundation” I overheard someone say, “Boy, he spent his money wisely” in a very green with envy fanboy sort of way. Besides, if you set up a non-profit foundation to manage your collection, doesn’t that make your acquisition of sci-fi related costumes, props, and first edition books tax-deductible? Oooooh… now there’s a loophole! I keep telling Aaron that he should be managing and making new acquisitions as an agent for the PAFF collection because I can’t think of anyone better suited for the job.
We had a great time staying at The Moore Hotel, a fun and funky old school sort of place. It was clean and very convenient to all sorts of great stuff. Being two blocks from Pike’s Place was awesome. Staff was super-friendly, and the other guests were a kick.
Saturday night we dined at Cafe Bengodi in Pioneer Place. We had a great little table on our own patio with a great vantage point for people watching. I enjoyed the Gamberi, which was a fresh pasta dish with prawns, mandarin oranges, brandy, cream, and tarragon. Aaron enjoyed the Puttanesca, another fresh pasta dish with anchovies, vermouth, basil, tomatoes, and carrots. We shared house-made tiramisu for dessert. Food to die for, very friendly service — I’ll definitely be back next time I’m in town.
Sunday morning we enjoyed breakfast from The Crumpet Shop at the counter with an even more interesting vantage point.
You were up here and you didn’t stop by to say “hello”? Well. I’m shocked and appalled.
Glad you had a good weekend!
Great pics, I am glad you guys are having such a good time together…sounds like a great weekend at a great place…
It was such an awesome trip. Change of scenery, good food, and wonderful company. *grin*