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Animated Meat

Junk Drawer of the Universe
  • Travel
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  • Before the Now
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As some of you may remember, Animated Meat first came to life in 2008 as a way to document some sights that managed to slip through the cracks of most popular travel websites.  You may also remember that the original website was built on Apple's now defunct iWeb.  From there, it migrated over to WordPress where it met an untimely demise at the hands of Russian hackers.  Many of those old, pre-2012 entries have found a new home here in the Before the Now section.  I would consider these posts as my starting place as a writer, probably comparable to a musician's first demo tapes.  They are very rough, but I took them all seriously and wrote each one with passion.  While I would like to believe that I have matured in my abilities as a writer, it is my hope that I carry this same blind passion into all of my new efforts.

The tour starts here

Seattle Underground Tour -Originally Published 2009

May 28, 2019

Seattle is one of the centers of the high tech world.  As a result, it has been flooded by former honors students who specialize in being nice.  But here’s the great thing about Seattle.  It actually has a really gritty history.  While it has been inherited by the geeks, it was actually formed by loggers and robber barons who built the city on a tidal flat.

Underground

Nestled down in Pioneer Square, the Seattle Underground tour is a great way to get a peek into Seattle’s unvarnished past. 

Streets up there

Building on a tidal flat was not a wise idea.  First of all, the city had a tendency to flood.  Second of all, when people elected to install indoor plumbing, the raw sewage stalled at the bottom of the hills.  As soon as the tide rolled in, all of that raw sewage was returned to the people who delivered.

Mai underground

After a fire leveled the city, the good citizens elected to rebuild, but aside from that, they decided to raise the city.  As a result, Seattle was left with a subterranean underground.  The tour is the only way to see it first hand.

Pioneer square

Now if you’re a fan of the old Kolchak show, you won’t see a complete city like Darren McGavin did.  What you actually see is a lot better.  There are several underground tunnels complete with skylights, some of them still used as storage for above ground business.

 

In travel Tags seattle underground tour, pioneer square, tour, seattle, pacific northwest, washington, ed richter, animated meat
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The Smith Tower - Originally Published 2009

May 12, 2019

After taking the Seattle Underground Tour, you can get a discounted lift to the top of the Smith Tower.  The Smith Tower was built by the family that founded the typewriter empire.  Until the 1930’s, it was the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi. 

More view

For just a few dollars, you can get a ride to the observation deck in an elevator with a real, live elevator operator.

Even more view

The 360 degree views of Seattle make this a worth while stop.

Mai and ed and view
In travel Tags smith tower, seattle, washington, pacific northwest, building, view, ed richter, animated meat
Glass beach

Glass Beach - Originally Published 2008

May 12, 2019

If it weren’t for a hairdresser in Lake Tahoe, we would have never stumbled upon Glass Beach.  My wife was getting her hair did for our wedding and got to talking to the beautician.  She found out we were going to wander the coast and she recommended a stop in Fort Bragg, home of the Glass Beach.

Mai with glass

Once upon a time, the locals decided to use the ocean as a garbage dump.  Apparently, they threw everything in the sea, including old car parts.  They eventually found a more proper place for their trash, but their legacy lives on.  All of the glass that had been dumped has been tumbled and returned to the shore making this one of the most unique beaches I have ever been to.

Old resistors
In travel Tags glass beach, fort bragg, northern california, northern, california, beach, annual, animated meat, ed richter
Avenue of the giants

Avenue of the Giants - Originally Published 2008

May 12, 2019

There is no excuse for the intrepid traveler to not pay a visit to The Avenue of the Giants.  The Avenue is a thirty-mile stretch of the last old growth redwoods in the world.  The fact that the 101 cuts right through it makes it unbelievably accessible.  It’s a living, breathing contradiction because it seems so remote, but at the same time it’s so simple to get to.

Mai in tree

So, what exactly is there to see?  There are redwoods.  Lots and lots of redwoods.  In fact Humbolt Redwoods State Park butts right up against the Avenue.  If you like trees, this is the place for you.

Cross cut

However, I understand that there’s a rube inside of all of us that wants to do more than just look at an old tree.  Don’t worry.  The locals have provided plenty of roadside attractions to give you a reason step on the breaks and spend some money.

Tree house

Drive through trees, walk through trees, houses made from trees, it’s all there. 

Smokey

We approached the redwoods from the north.  I got really excited when I saw this thing.  We pulled over and took a few pictures.  However, I want to assure you that this is not the only drive through tree you will encounter on the 101.  I counted no less that three of them.  No regrets, though.  Our one-dollar admission went to support the local economy.

Trees
In travel Tags avenue of the giants, 101, northern, california, northern california, humbolt county, redwoods, trees, animated meat, ed richter
Entrance

Sequoias National Park - Originally Published 2009

May 11, 2019

You ever watch one of them reality shows that has “The Real Housewives” somewhere in the title?  How about that one with the rich kids who have a sweet sixteen party?  Let me tell you, we in California are a lot like one of those overindulged brats.

Sisters

Case in point:  The Sequoias.  There are states in the Union that would kill for just a few acres that are as breathtaking as this place.  Somehow, we managed to hit the lottery and get blessed this a park.  We are no better that that brat that gets a BMW for her birthday.

Big tree

Now, here is my advice for how we differentiate ourselves from the creepy kids basic cable channels like to follow around.  Appreciate what we’ve got.  Book a campsite in this place and spend a summer weekend sitting by a mountain stream. 

On the bridge

No one will ever make you go to an intervention or rehab because you go to the Sequoias.  No religion will ever call you a sinner for spending some time here.

Caught in a web

Make sure to buy tickets for the Crystal Cave at the visitor’s center.  They don’t sell any at the entrance to the cave.

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In travel, parks Tags national park, sequoias, sierras, ed richter, animated meat
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