Carl’s big surgery was 8 years ago today. He left the hospitals (2 of them) 14 days later, on his birthday. So I got him his birthday present this morning. A NEW LAWNMOWER!
Carl suggested I could get him rubber gloves for doing dishes next.
After the birthday shopping we set off for our day out. First stop was walking to light rail to head to the Mariner’s game. They were giving away a USA soccer t-shirt so there was an early crowd.
There are two trains that run from north Seattle to the stadium area. The 1 line goes south to both the International District and Stadium stops used for the stadium and continues further south. The 2 line turns east after the International District and does not reach the Stadium Station, which is closer to the baseball stadium. We were on the 2 line. On the train we were sitting next to a man who is a bartender at the baseball stadium. When we reached the International District stop he didn’t stand up. I asked him if he was going to get off. He had not realized it was a 2 line and almost headed east. Save 1 for the day.
When we got Carl and I split up. Carl to go get in line and me to try and get a special World Cup ORCA (transit) card, just because I liked the design. A woman we had briefly met in the light rail station where we started called to me from behind, saying she was following me to get to the stadium. She was kind of frantic to get one of the shirts. I told her she should have followed Carl, but I could direct her before I went to search for the Orca card. Then things got a little weird. She said she had to go to the bathroom. I suggested the public building I was going into would probably have restroom. They did, but on the second floor. The elevators were there, but needed to be waited for. She kept saying she couldn’t wait. A security guard offered to lead her to them, but she declined, and exited the building to do her business outside in a corner….. So by this time I had found they were out of the ORCA cards, but told her I could just take her to the line. And it turns out she was also with her boyfriend, who had been in the building trying to accomplish something, and failing. So the three of us set off to get in the line. We found Carl and settled in. The boyfriend went to get some hotdogs to take into the game. These came with sodas. During our line wait we had to explain that the food could come in, but the drinks would need to be consumed outside. Plus the non-clear bag he had wouldn’t be allowed either. It all worked out, but we got separated at the entrance, which was fine. They got their shirts, so all was good.
The Mariners game itself was good, Mariners beat the Orioles 3-0. As we were leaving the couple we had helped get into the game found us, and we may see them again at a Minor League game in Everett.
From there we set off to find a bus to the Magnolia area of Seattle. It was a ride that ended for us at 28th Ave and Dravus. We needed to get to 17th Ave and Dravus for pizza. Dravus in this location is one of the steepest streets in Seattle. Luckily we were headed downhill, but it was tough on the feet. This made the pizza taste even better.
And finally walk another block to the Ballard FC soccer game. Not World Cup, but players with dreams. We made it to halftime. With our team up 5-1 we decided to find our busses home. The final score was 6-1, so we didn’t miss too much, and actually saw the goal watching the game on my phone during the bus ride.
And now it’s bedtime. We don’t have tickets to tomorrow’s USA vs Australia game, but plan to wander through the downtown watch parties, and then go to the Mariners game in the evening.
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