Karann and I made plans to hike. It was early January and cold, and trails we have on the ever-growing list probably had snow. She suggested an urban hike, and this sounded perfect. The plan was to meet at her place in Queen Anne and foot it to the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop from there. And that’s exactly what we did.
In the winter months, I’m less of a get up and out early kind of gal. It’s cold and dark, and cold. Did I mention the cold? The cold never bothered me until a few years ago—I used to be like Elsa. I suppose this is middle-age, when weather becomes a topic of discussion and also a hindrance. On the flip side, in summer, I’m a get up early and out kind of gal, to beat the heat. And by heat, I mean anything over 68 degrees (I should be embarrassed by this as a Native Californian). We decided to meet around noon. It was still cold.
After greeting Karann’s sweet kitties, we hit the pavement from Queen Anne to loop Lake Union. It’s changed so much since we first moved up here. And I’m sure it has changed even more to those who have lived here long before we have. The whole area seems to bland, with buildings galore. All trying to look different with their adventurous architecture. Not good or bad, but nothing that will age well in my opinion. We passed by the buildings that were designed and built by the firm I worked for before kids, back in my working days. The used to look so new. Now they just look like buildings. I was pregnant with Blaise when they were nearly finished, and I was working with a photographer to get all the fancy shots before occupants moved in and made it not so photo-worthy. That feels like a lifetime ago.
We passed by a spot where there was once a building that had a digital marquee. I remember seeing a quote on there on my way to Karann’s once, that has always sat with me. “Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn’t.” Google tells me it’s from Erica Jong. I think of this quote often, when I feel like seeking advice. Then I stop and realize I already know and I’m just looking for reassurance. That quote has also stopped me from giving advice—solicited or unsolicited—and focusing more on listening and sympathizing instead. That digital marquee is no longer there.
The loop isn’t clearly marked. Or if it is, we didn’t see all the signage; we did see some. It was near Buca di Beppo that we crossed the street and caught the trail going clockwise around Lake Union. It was so busy. In a good way, The PNW is full of active people. There were runners, walkers, and bikers—some with dogs and/or kids. There were people in large groups, small groups, and those wanting solo time. And people of all shapes and sizes getting their exercise on. I remember back in the day when I would feel like I would be judged for running while fat. I was not fat at 5’8″ and 130 pounds. Yay being raised in the ’90s, the era of Kate Moss and other skeletons. Now I feel like an idiot for ever thinking like that. Never once have I ever judged a person for exercising, no matter their body. Even back when I was feeling judged. Dumb. With age comes mental clarity. This is one of the benefits of getting older.
Staying out of the way of all the people, we stayed right on the trail and passed on the left. Now that’s something to judge when exercising. Although judge isn’t the right word. Another quote I use often, Hanlon’s razor, “Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.” I don’t think people mean to use trails wrong. And I’m not a fan of calling people stupid, maybe unaware is a better word? Heck, even this morning, Mel and I were on the trail—walking on the right side. Ahead of us was an older couple, maybe in their 70s? They were walking side-by-side with a huge gap between them, taking up the entire trail. The had an off-leash dog (yay) walking between them. But the dog would stop to sniff and be a dog, and they would continue walking, unaware their dog wasn’t between them. As Mel and I approached, the dog stopped—he was a good off-leash dog—but the couple was totally clueless and continued to walk. There must have been a good 20 feet between their stopped dog and themselves. As I passed the dog, he wanted to say hello to Mel and started to walk over. I said, “No, dog,” the dog stopped (he was a good boy). It was then they turned around and laughed, like, oops, silly us! I just kept walking. I really don’t like off-leash dogs. No, I like the dogs. It’s their parents whom I don’t like. It’s always off-leash dog parents who say, “Oh, he’s friendly!” And I’m like, “He’s not,” pointing at Mel. Mel is friendly, but he also feels the need to protect me. From what, I have no idea. The dog is scared of a bee. But I want to get the point across that it doesn’t matter if their dog is friendly. Spoiler: the point is never gotten. I had a run-in one summer morning at like 5am with three off-leash dogs and a clueless parent. Old white dude, of course. Another quote, since I’m on a ramble with quotes, “When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression,” Franklin Leonard. I think of that quote often when dealing with old white men. And republicans.
I digress. The loop quieted down after we passed the harbor. Or marina? Maybe both. It quieted down right about the time we went under Aurora Bridge. Ever since moving here, I had heard that Aurora Bridge was popular for jumpers. And Google is telling me it was the number two suicide bridge next to the Golden Gate. Which, while incredibly sad, I wonder about statistics. San Francisco and Seattle have large populations. Of course these bridges will have more suicides than some random bridge in Iowa. My dad used to say most car accidents happen within a five-mile radius of home. And I’d argue of course they do, because most people drive within a five-mile radius from home more often than anywhere else. Then he’d say, “Don’t confuse her with the facts, her mind is made up.” That was his way of never admitting he was wrong. He also used to say I’d turn conservative when I got older. Man, I wish he were alive to see how incredibly wrong he was about many things. And that I’m even more liberal than I was as a teenager.
I digress again. Man, I’m rambling today. I haven’t been on here in a while and clearly I have things to say! The Aurora Bridge added a tall anti-suicide fence. And I haven’t heard much about jumpers. But admittedly, I don’t pay attention to that kind of stuff. I did snap a picture of the signage advising against jumping. I can’t even imagine what it feels like to think jumping from a bridge is the right decision. I feel so incredibly sad and sorry for folks who think that is a solution.
Aurora Bridge.
Across the bridge we passed more folks and found a street market under the bridge. There were food trucks galore, music, and people everywhere. We nosed around for a few moments before continuing on. We weaved through some more buildings, Adobe and others, before making our way through Freemont to Gas Works Park. In all of the years I’ve lived here, I had never been to Gas Works. I suppose it’s because I tend to avoid anything crowds and it’s a popular park. I’ve always admired it from afar. This day, I finally made it there. And it wasn’t too busy. There was a live band playing but we kept going.
Gas Works Park.
Down by the water we took in the view and admired the hot tub boats floating by. Not something I’m into but I love the concept for others. I don’t do boats. I mean, I don’t have anything against them. But the feeling of being trapped on a boat is so unappealing to me. My dad had boats growing up and even then, I had zero interest. I went out with him a few times but it was never because I asked to go. These women were loving life, soaking in a hot tub in Lake Union. I suppose if I were to do anything boat, it would be a hot tub boat. Although, I’m not much of a hot tub person either. Cool business idea though!
Downtown Seattle from Gas Works Park. And a hot tub boat!
Leaving Gas Works it was quieter on the trail. At least I think we were on the trail? We just kind of went for it, walking along the lake on a path that felt we were going the right way. Eventually we found signage. We either went off trail a bit, missed signage, or there was none for a while. One of those. We went though some neighborhoods and then up on University Bridge, just east of Ship Canal Bridge. I had no idea what these bridges were named until I just looked on Google Maps. To me, Ship Canal Bridge is just The 5. But, duh. All bridges have names.
Ship Canal Bridge and University Bridge.
Down after crossing University Bridge, we walked through neighborhoods along the lake. Even found some floating homes. Such cute floating neighborhoods. I think I could live in a floating home? Maybe not? I do like having a backyard. Not sure I’d be down for having a lake as a backyard but maybe. Probably not since one would need a boat to enjoy that kind of backyard.
A floating neighborhood.
Across from the floating homes are several townhomes and houses. Some new, some old, some for sale, and some look lived in for decades. I’m not sure I could live in any of those either, but that doesn’t matter. The people who live there probably love it and can’t imagine living in a small town with a backyard. Whatever floats your boat, right? Haha, I couldn’t resist.
Eventually we made it back into the Lake Union area, where there are more businesses than residences along the lake. We passed Daniel’s Broiler and made our way past the Center for Wooden Boats before walking by Buca di Beppo again. Signaling we did the entire loop.
Heading back to Karann’s in Queen Anne, we stopped at Big Mario’s Pizza for a late lunch/early dinner. I didn’t realize how hungry I was. And thirsty. It was then when we realized neither one of us had taken a sip of water on our urban hike. We ate and hydrated, and then made our way back to Karann’s. When we got to her place, we were about a half-mile shy of nine miles. We decided to walk a bit more to hit nine miles.
Nine miles later, it was time for me to head back home. I love Seattle and the hustle and bustle, but there is no better feeling than driving back home and feeling that sense of ahh when buildings and people become more sparse.
Back home, I felt accomplished. We had dealt with a lazy winter break between sickness and cold weather, which both equate to laziness. Hitting up the Cheshiahud Lake Union Loop was a nice way to spend a cold January Saturday.
jumpingraccoons.com 