The full text of the Declaration of Independence is below for your Fourth of July reading pleasure. For a spiced up version with a little bork-bork, meep-meep, check out this lead-in video:
After an exhausting search, it is clear to me that there is no definative guide to happy hour in Olympia for newbies. I know there are great happy hours out there though. Nick and I took advantage of one at the famed Waterstreet Cafe two weeks ago. I could just go back there, but that would be...well...not very adventerous of me.
Instead, I’ve collected a list of places that sound intriguing. My goal will be to visit each one before my time in Olympia is up. Combine this with my goal of visiting each of Olympia’s parks before I leave and I’ve got my work cut out for me.
Tonight’s destination is the Fish Tale Brew Pub. Their happy hour isn’t until 9 p.m., but I have an afterwork invitation to join a colleague and some of his law school friends. The good company will be worth the higher drink price. I also have to steal a logo’d pint glass to keep our vacation souvenir tradition alive. (Shhh! Don’t tell!) The extra people and glasses on the table should provide a good diversion.
Starting next week, I’ll begin working my way through the rest of the list of happy hour destinations I’ve collected. If you have any additional recommendations, let me know!
The Swing Wine Bar
Where? 825 Columbia St. SW
Why? Oodles of great wine, views of Capitol Lake. Do you need more?
Happy hour? Daily from 3:30 to 5:30; happily priced beverages and bites
Eastside Club Tavern
Where? 410 E. 4th St. (in downtown Olympia)
Why? 30+ microbrews on tap (including some cask conditioned ones), WiFi, ping pong, pool, and many other amusements
Happy hour? Daily from 4 – 7 p.m., $3 pints $2.50 pints.
Falls Terrace Restaurant
Where? Next to Tumwater Falls Park (across the river from the old brewery)
Why? Great view; you can “walk it off” in the park before driving home.
Happy hour? 3-6 p.m., Mon.-Sat.; $4 food, $4 house wine, $3 well martinis or margaritas, $3 microbrews, $2 domestic beers
The Spar
Where? 114 4th Ave E
Why? McMenamin pubs tend to be funky and have good beers.
Happy hour? Daily from 4-6 p.m.; cheap eats and cheap beer
The Mark
Where? 407 SW Columbia St.
Why? Leopard prints and swank. ‘Nuf said.
Happy hour? Daily 5-7 p.m.; $3.75 well martinis.
The Brotherhood Lounge
Where? 119 Capitol Way N.
Why? Eclectic art, shuffleboard, live music.
Happy hour? Daily from 4 to 7 p.m., $2 beers
Last year John and I had a trip up Mt. Ruth and Icy Peak planned, but it got rained out. When I heard that he had it on the calendar again this year, I eagerly signed up. We met at the typical John hour (before 6 a.m.) and headed to the ranger station just outside Glacier.
There were many groups gathering at the ranger station to get their permits and blue bags. When I got out of the car, two nice-looking ladies introduced themselves and said how nice it was to see me again. (Really? Who are you?) After all the dire warnings about impossible road conditions, deadly bug bites, and “you’ll be lucky to make it back alive” vibes from the rangers, we left for the trailhead. I always leave ranger stations scratching my head. How can rangers be so unknowledgeable about the trails in their jurisdiction? And why do they always seem to try and dissuade you from going anywhere but 100-feet from the car? What exactly do they get paid to do?
Their warnings about the rutted road turned out to be unnecessary and we made it to the TH without any trouble. In no time at all six intrepid climbers were headed up to Hannegan Pass. It was slow going due to several trail obstacles, but the increasingly good views made it worthwhile.
Forty-five minutes of hard work and we arrived at the top of Mt Ruth, a mountain with possibly the best views of any peak I’ve ever been on. From here we could see the Picketts, the North Cascades, the north face of Mt. Shuksan, Mt. Baker, Glacier, Blum, Rainier (barely)...so many peaks I’d have a hard time listing them all.
For Christmas my parents gave Nick and me a motorcycle skills class at Pacific Raceways. It wasn’t a course on racing or race technique, rather it was a day to build road riding skills in a controlled, car-free environment.
We arrived at the track this morning at some gosh-awful early hour for check-in and bike inspection.
The day was divided into 20-minute segments - classroom, break, track time. Nick and I ended up in different sessions somehow, which we thought would be interesting, since they were teaching different skills in each one. My section focused on the S-M-A-R-T cornering technique (Scan, Mark, Adjust, Relax, Throttle). We learned how to read whether a corner was an increasing radius, constant or decreasing radius turn by looking at the vanishing point and other clues. We practiced picking lines and smooth throttle control. The best part of the day, though, came at the end when we started to shift body position on the bike in order to go faster and keep the rubber down.
Nick’s class focused on the A-R-T part of S-M-A-R-T. Unfortunately, someone’s bad judgment ended his day early and left the Superfriend in shambles. I still had riding lessons left, so I kissed him on the cheek and handed him the camera. (No worries! Nick is fine, and he’ll get to go back in September when his bike is fixed.)
lining up for our next spin on the track
shutter lag made taking pictures of a fast moving bike challenging
peddle scraping moment in the chicane
corner #8
I had so much fun that I’m now contemplating the choice between a new pair of shoes and another track day. Oh, the dilemma!
Sunday brought more Olympia fun for the two of us. Nick went bike racing out near Boston Harbor, and I took advantage of the time to do a much needed load of laundry. Once he was back, it was off to play tourist again. We started with ice cream at the Farmer’s Market and a walk along the waterfront.
Our ultimate destination was the (almost) 100-year old tugboat - Sandman. In Olympia’s heyday, it hauled lumber, pulp, oil, and oysters. It also hauled much of the sand that filled in the area under downtown (hence the name). It was a working tug until about 35 years ago. Now the fully restored boat lives its life as a tourist attraction and exhibition boat.
Picture of Sandman’s sister tug in its working days
Our lovely tour guides
It still wasn’t time for happy hour yet, so we headed up to Tumwater Falls Park, next to the old Olympia Brewery.
a nod to the native people in the area
We searched for the falls that adorn the Oly beer cans, but were never sure we found the right one
After the park we capped off the weekend with drinks and food at Waterstreet Cafe (Acqua Via’s sister restaurant). A four course “meal” consisting of all happy hour menu items and drinks set us back $25 each. Not a bad way to finish a wonderful weekend.