Santa Barbara - Again: SEA-PDX-SBA

This weekend came with a surprise trip to Santa Barbara. I was invited to interview for a new position there and that prompted a very quick trip in and out. I arrived Saturday night and left midday Monday. If I get the job, what does that make me? SantaBarbaraFlyerGuy? Ex-SeattleFlyerGuy? SeattleExpatFlyerGuy? I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. In the mean time, here what the flights were like!

Flying down to Santa Barbara from Seattle is a bit expensive, but I ended up using miles to make this trip happen. 40,000 frequently flyer miles and $7.50 gave me near direct flights on Alaska Air. They have flights direct to Santa Barbara from both Portland and Seattle, which is exactly what I flew this time around. These are on smaller planes, a combination of the Dash-8 turboprops and CRJs. I tried to get timelapses on these flights using a new technique, but this proved... difficult. I was using my new Nexus 4 to capture the timelapse, which I hoped would be better than my current technique, but a couple things were off: The phone unexpectedly quit and the angle of the window basically means that you are mainly aimed at sky. It didn't work, but at least I got some good photos.

The first leg is quick, but low. It's only about 30 minutes in the air, which is no time at all. On the way, we had some good views of Seattle and of the Olympic mountains. I love the view of the water, mountains, and ferry from the air. After that, I had a two hour layover and then a second flight direct to SBA. Night time flights don't offer too much in the way of scenery, but at least there was the sunset...

There is now a Simple Choice for International Data: T-Mobile.

If you travel internationally (even if it is just to Canada or Mexico), the moment you cross over the border you start paying exorbitant prices for the basic functions of your smart phone. If you have planned ahead, you might get off paying $30 for 120MB. If you haven't, then you risk a bit of sticker shock when the bill comes back: A single e-mail with a photo? $20-$50. It's not pretty.

T-Mobile has stepped in with an offer that can hardly be refused by anyone looking to travel abroad: Free unlimited international data and texts in over 100 countries. If you are traveling anywhere that is pink below, then you can open up your e-mail and look at Google Maps without fear. It won't cost you anything extra.

There are a few caveats: The free texting is to US number only. No tethering. Speeds are limited to email and maps, so no 4G for free. You need to have an international phone. There is also some language that some places still charging if there are additional taxes, which is not well described on the website. You also need to sign up for their "Simple Choice" plans, which actually aren't bad at all: $50 is the entry point with unlimited talk, text, and data with no contract (You have to bring your own unlocked device or buy one from them at full price... which is often a better deal than the subsidized handsets you get from other companies). Still, this takes a lot of the pain out of international travel and staying in touch. A tablet, like the Nexus 7, combined with a plan like this would be an ideal solution for just about all of your travel needs.

Food Friday: Hitchcock Delicatessen on Bainbridge Island

After visiting the Bloedel Reserve, some friends and I went to downtown Bainbridge to grab a bite. We were looking for something that was delicious, but not exactly pricey which is where Hitchcock comes in. While their restaurant is expensive, the cafe/delicatessen next door is actually extremely reasonably priced and very high quality.

With a group of four, we had the opportunity to try four different sandwiches. None of us were let down by our choices. We tried the the roast beef, the pastrami, a turkey club (with bacon), and the Cuban press sandwich. All of the sandwiches are between $8 and $10 and they offer wine and beer, if you are so inclined.

Above: The turkey sandwich. Those are figs, turkey, arugula, with bacon added for extra measure.
Below: The roast beef sandwich. Cheese, horseradish, onion, and beef all on a potato roll.

Next up: The Cuban Press. Two types of ham, sweet bread and butter pickles, caramelized onions, and mustard come together in this sandwich.
Finally, the best for last: The pastrami. Delicious brisket, rustic bread, kraut, and cheese. This one was my favorite. Maybe I was just craving brisket (and have been), but this hit the spot.

Back to Bainbridge Island for the Last Day of Summer

My love affair with Bainbridge Island is well documented. I have been riding "the boat" back and forth from Seattle to Bainbridge since I was a kid and still today it is something that I feel compelled to do every now and again. It also doesn't hurt that the Bainbridge Island also offers some genuinely fun things to do, in addition to the great ride over.

October 6th marked the last day of summer. It was unseasonably warm, sunny, and the perfect day to take a trip to the island. It was in the 70s and sunny. Days like that are numbered as Halloween is just weeks away. Together with three friends, we decided to visit the Bloedel Reserve and a bite to eat at Hitchcock Delicatessen which is what I am going to share today. 

The trip from Seattle to Bainbridge Island is a quick 35 minute trip with views of the city and mountains from all sides. If it is sunny like this, I prefer to be on the port side towards the front where the wind keeps you cool while you soak in the sun and the view of Mt. Rainier.

It is another 20 minutes by car to get to the Bloedel Reserve on the northern end of the island. If you do not have a car, Bainbridge Island does have a "Frog Hopper" during the summer months that will take you there and Kitsap Transit does have a bus (#90) that will drop you off a mile from the gate. For ease and time, I would recommend having a car for your visit.

The turn off for the reserve is a little hard to see. It will be on the right and is the second to last right turn on the island (if you go over the bridge, just turn around and try again). Agatewood Road is what you are looking for (see directions here). Once you are there, the walk takes about 1.5 to 2 hours depending on how fast you move and what catches your eye.

 The main house may cause a "pride and prejudice" moment for visitors who enjoy that novel. The house and the entire estate belonged to Prentice Bloedel, who earned his fortune in the timber business. He retired in 1950 from the MacMillan Bloedel Timber Company and spent the next decades building the grounds. In 1974, the gardens were transformed into a reserve.

In addition to the house and the general natural areas, there is a Japanese garden, a moss garden, a reflection pool, several ponds, and large meadow. Right now, the fall is starting to bring color to the trees, which turned out to be especially beautiful on this late summer day.

Next time on Food Friday: Hitchcock's fantastic sandwiches!

Just Opened: Storyville Coffee in the Pike Place Market

Seattle is full of excellent coffee shops. There are dozens of excellent places to choose between and as of today there is another coffee shop that has entered the fray. Storyville Coffee just opened their first shop in the hallowed ground of the Pike Place Market and if their space is any indication, they are not playing around.

Storyville Coffee is new to the retail scene, but has been roasting coffee on Bainbridge Island since 2006. The company has been doing high end mail order coffee for a while and now they are stepping into the retail scene for the first time. The new store at the Pike Place Market, located just down the hall from the venerable Matt's in the Market is literally audacious. Right now, they have hours between 7am and 7pm, but later this winter that will change to 7am to 11pm. In the store itself, there is nothing cheap and it is obvious that nothing has been compromised on. From the view of the Pike Place Market sign to the painstakingly crafted interiors, the shop is exquisite. For a new retail chain in Seattle and the risk that goes with it, this is a staggering outlay of money that could go terribly south if the winds do not blow in Storyville's favor.

That said, all of the right ingredients are there to be a very popular cafe. The space is inviting and feels exclusive, especially when you can enjoy your coffee while looking out over the sunset in a leather chair. The coffee is pricey, but very good. My macchiatto was well prepared and both mellow and strong simultaneously. The coffee had strong flavor, but little acid. There is WiFi for the nomadic laptop warrior and the bakery case is all made in house, right down to the free sugar cookies for children (another case of vision over business, it seems). There are even waffles on the menu, making this an option for breakfast. Rumor has it that the coffee shop is also considering providing live music in the evenings and weekends, as well as a broader range of food and drink, including wine and beer. All together, there is a lot of potential for the shop.

The question will be how popular they get, since the feel of exclusivity and relaxing atmosphere could easily be thrown off by a massive line like what is found at the "first" Starbucks elsewhere in the market. On the other hand, if they can be busy without the space feeling crowded, they have a winner and the other shops that they have planned (for example at 1st and Madison and in Upper Queen Anne where Teacup used to be) should also come out on top.

FAA Plans to Implement Common Sense; Allow Electronics during Takeoff and Landings

The AP is reporting that the FAA has recommended that passengers be allowed to use personal electronics during takeoff and landing. The era of ridiculous rules against reading Kindles, listening to music, and taking photos during the best part of the flight may finally be drawing to a close. Electronics would be allowed to be used in airplane mode while the aircraft is under 10,000 feet. That's a great change.

This photo is strictly verboten under the current rules. Hopefully that will change soon!

So far, the recommendation is just that: A recommendation. The FAA still has to act on it. Hopefully, they can get it through whatever process and into action as soon as possible. The AP is reporting that the new rules could take effect by early 2014. It can't come soon enough.

[Source: AP]

Late Summer Evening at Gas Works Park

Located on the north shore of Lake Union in Seattle, Gas Works Park is one of the best parks in Seattle. The park itself is located on the site of an old gasification plant that once turned coal (and later oil) into gas used in lamps. In 1975, after a period of remediation to clean the soil of chemicals, the park opened and since then it has become a perfect companion for a windy day or late summer evening. The location of the park and a prominent hill provides for fantastic views of the city and fairly consistent wind. During the days, the wind draws kite lovers of all ages, while in warm evenings, the hills are full of people enjoying the sunset and view of downtown.

Gas Works Park is located near Fremont, but it is a little bit of a walk away. It is also right on the Burke Gilman Trail, which means easy access by bike (This is the park where I learned to bike!). It is also accessible from downtown by bus route #26 (Map). Want to see what it's like? Check out the photo sphere at the bottom!

Flight Report: Photos from my trip to SBA and Return

The old UA colors. I really liked their own brand better.

UA EMB-120

Mt. St. Helens and Mt. Rainier

From PDX to PHX

In Phoenix (PHX) on the way to Burbank (BUR)

On the way to BUR

A nice little airport, but I wonder if the number of TSA here are justified...

Goleta and Santa Barbara

Solvang from the air

One perfect square of development. Compare that to a similar setting in England...

...That lake looks mighty low. :/

Santa Cruz

The salt ponds near SFO

VX A320 on approach to SFO 28R

Embraer 120 in "Battleship" UA livery