First Stop, Seattle Center!

Wait. There was a stop before the Seattle Center, and it was Starbucks. Normally, Domo wouldn't stop at a chain for coffee, but being in Seattle (and having a Starbucks off the hotel lobby) Domo felt he had to get Starbucks coffee. So now it's done. (It was okay.)

The next stop after getting coffee was the Seattle Center. The site of the 1962 World's Fair, the Seattle Center is still home to many of the World's Fair's attractions: the Space Needle, the International Fountain, the armory, the Pacific Science Center and the monorail terminus (inside the very cool Frank Gehry designed EMP). It's actually the 50th anniversary of the World's Fair, so the Seattle Space Needle's top got a fresh coat of Galaxy Gold paint.

The International Fountain boasts over 20 spouts and puts on a water show coordinated to world music. Well, that's the rumor, anyway. It's also rumored that the program changes every month. Pipkin waited and waited and waited but nothing happened. Domo got tired of waiting and decided he was going to climb the thing and figure out what was going on. But Pipkin found the fountain surrounded by these warning signs:

Sorry, Domo. The fountain is a feeling being, and it gets hurt when you climb it. All Domo can do now is shake his fist angrily. Shake harder, Domo!

Immediately to the east of the International Fountain there was a covered walkway with some silk and paper lanterns. A collaboration between Coyote Central students and artist Carl Smool, these lanterns represent Seattle children's vision of the planet in the next 50 years. 

Domo's not too sure what this lantern means. More monsters in the future? Well, he likes it!

Pipkin's guess is that it has something to do with extinction. There are many endangered animals illustrated on the flying lizard's hide. Grim.

Less grim is this lantern, hope for peace, Pipkin's guess.

Here's a skeletal polar bear, on a long swim for ice which has melted away. Seriously grim.

This lantern is of a human with processed fast food and junk food all over him. "You are what you eat?" Pipkin offered, while snapping his gum.

Domo and Pipkin both liked this solar power themed sun lantern. A lot of these lanterns painted a rather grim looking future. Is it just the attitude of children who grow up in a rather drizzly climate? Let's try and be positive and hope for a brighter future! Luckily the fog burned off from earlier that morning and the sun was shining all afternoon while they walked around the Seattle Center. It helped shake off the feeling of impending doom.

Next stop, the top of the Space Needle!

Good Morning, Seattle!

Pipkin and Domo slept in, despite Seattle being 3 hours later than Vermont's time zone. They awoke in the late morning and decided to get the lay of the land before getting breakfast and exploring the city.

Queen Anne, behind Pipkin.

Their hotel, the Mediterranean Inn in Seattle's lower Queen Anne neighborhood, has a fantastic rooftop patio. They got a 360° view of their surroundings, including nearby Seattle Center, downtown Seattle just beyond, Elliot Bay and Puget Sound, and the hills of Queen Anne.

Labbits don't get to vote, but they can at the 5 Spot! Open the blue left door to vote for Obama or the red door on the right for Mittens.

They decided to head to the top of Queen Anne hill for breakfast at The 5 Spot. The menu at the 5 Spot changes every three months to reflect a different region of the United States, or a different seasonal offering from the Pacific Northwest. The interior is also decorated according to the theme. When Pipkin and Domo showed up at the 5 Spot, Washington D.C. was being served up. On the menu were such items as Lame Duck Confit, Senate Bean Soup, and Super Pac'd Pork Treat.

Domo's stressed out about where to sit. The right, or the left?

The Not-So-Early-Bird Breakfast menu will cost you a 5 spot, and some change ($5.55). Pipkin had the Migas, while Domo helped himself to the Bacon Praline Flapjacks. The service is friendly and the food is good. They'll definitely be back to taste more of the menu.

During the 2012 election season, you can watch the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate debates live on the big screens at 5 Spot. Meanwhile, cast your vote early, and vote as often as you like. Each time you vote at the door, the corresponding party mascot either kicks his hind quarters or waves his elephantine arms, letting all the patrons know whose side you're on.

After breakfast, Pip and Domo headed back down Queen Anne hill to check out the Seattle Center. Come back to the blog to keep reading about their travel adventures. Oh - and did you spot Domo in the first picture? Here's a close up, in case you missed him:

Labbit Travels: LAX to SEA

Pipkin had a bit of tummy trouble while flying from BOS to LAX, but he's back to all smiles now that he's had a long layover at LAX. Their last leg is a short flight from LAX to SEA, but it feels like it's been a long day. They got going this morning as the sun was rising on the east coast, and now that the sun's going down on the west coast, they realized they still have a way to go.

On the plane again, Pipkin felt well enough to finally get something to eat. They ordered the protein pack, which was surprisingly filled with good snacks! There was tuna (for Domo), hummus, almonds and two different kinds of crackers. Best of all, they finished it off with some vegan gummy fruit candies. Yumyum!

Now, for some shut eye. See you in Seattle!

Tri Fever, It Never Stops!

Doddy Blue and Masher McBuns cozy up in front of the laptop to watch the live stream of the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. They think Rinny's got the cutest accent, and they drink chocolate milk for recovery, just like her! Best of luck in Kona, Rinny!

Labbit Travels: It's a Bumpy Ride...

Pipkin thinks playing in the safety boat made him a little seasick but Domo's pretty sure that the reason Pipkin's a little green is because the plane has hit some turbulence and the ride is getting bumpy.

Good thing Pipkin's got a friend with him to help him through this.

Everyone needs a travel companion who will stick by your side...

...to a point. There are some things one can do on one's own.