The first day in Seattle I decided I should go
exploring the city. The sun was out and a perfect day to go for a walk around. Two
things I planned on doing was check out the space needle and find the
theater/studio for Pacific Northwest Ballet, so I could get tickets for the
performance that night and get myself to class the next morning before the
race. I was successful in both. I found the space needle and got up to the top,
I was looking down on the streets like a map trying to figure out where I was
and where I wanted to go next, and I could also see the stadium where the race
would be held the next day. The place was busy getting ready for the next day’s
events celebrating the 50th anniversary of the world fair in
Seattle. There was a water fountain with music that I stopped at for a few minutes,
and then I found my way to the theater where I was hoping to see a show that
night. I knew I was on the right track when I saw a little girl about 7 years
old with her hair pulled back in a bun wearing ballet pink tights, always a
dead giveaway that you are near a ballet studio. With ticket in hand for the
evening performance I went back to the hotel for a little while.
I wanted to go see PNB perform since they are one of
the best ballet companies in the country, and they happened to be performing
the weekend I was going to be in town. And with a $15 ticket price (since I am
still under 25), I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I was excited to see
Apollo performed live. I had seen clips of it on video, but video never does
performances justice. The second act of the performance was Carmina Burana. Going
into the theater I had no idea what that even was, but after reading about it
in the program I was excited to see it. Apollo was good, but Carmina Burana was
amazing! And with that to wrap up the day in Seattle I was determined to get
myself into class the next morning, even if it meant a long day.
A race Saturday would normally start with me getting
ready, packing up the car, checking out of the hotel and heading to the stadium
for the opening of the gates at noon, but this time I decided class at PNB was
in store first. The facilities they have are incredible. I took an open class
with over thirty people and still had plenty of space, and that was only one of
the studios in the building. A brisk walk back to the hotel to get ready and
off to the races we went. As I walked I passed a man who asked “do you have a
spare 82 cents?” I responded as usual, and it wasn’t until after I had crossed
the street that it occurred to me how odd that request was. I might have been a
little preoccupied with the thoughts of how much I love to dance. Not only was
class good and fun with some other great dancers, a good teacher and a pianist,
but dance is such a universal language it makes me smile sometimes
Since in typical Seattle fashion it rained during
the week, practice was not starting until later on in the afternoon, so my
taking class meant we missed nothing during the day at the stadium. Although the
sun was shining and I was happy to see it, I was also hoping it might rain.
Rain in Seattle for supercross usually means there will be a shake-up in the
race and make for unpredictable and great racing. I was prepare with a rain
jacket, ponchos and hand warmers for the rain, but Seattle decided to have a gorgeous
sunny day instead. However, my hopes for great racing were not let down. There were
new winners in both classes, the already crowned 2012 champion crashed out, the
title battle in the lites class got a little more exciting, and it was a great
night of racing!
On these longer trips we tend to try and get on the
road out of the city after the race. That was our plan again. After making some
PB&J sandwiches in the truck in the parking garage we hit the road. At about
2am we pulled over at a rest stop and took a ‘nap’ in the truck. Just as the
sun was rising we filled up the gas tank and got back on the road. After a few
stops, we finally pulled in at home around 5pm. Exhausted from the long trip
and lack of sleep, we were both happy to be back, and to call it an early night
and lazy Monday…
PS. For once I am caught up on my travel blog. I will
try to post pictures from the last month or so soon. Until next time… safe
travels
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