Friday, December 23, 2016

Wandering Around Seattle

The winter solstice was another walk-filled day. We started out this morning by looking for the surgery center that I need to be at bright and early tomorrow morning. After breakfast at Ihop we walked down to the Pike Place Market again and explored the many passages and levels before getting overwhelmed with the sheer number of people. We headed for the Seattle Aquarium and the Seattle Great Wheel a short walk south. The aquarium at $25 each and the ferris wheel at $13 seemed high. Or maybe I'm just a cheapskate. We searched for and found a couple of geocaches in the area before stopping at Ivar's Acres of Clams for some hot tea and snack. Plus, it was a chance to warm up. Seattle feels cold and damp.

On the short walk from Pike Place Market, we passed this building which I thought looked kind of interesting. Not sure why, maybe all of the straight lines. No idea what the building is/was used for, it just happened to be on the way. With all the walking, I'm always looking for an excuse to stop and pretend to do something important before charging up the next hill.

I needed to pick up some paperwork at the clinic before they closed so it was another steep, uphill hike. The hills here seem as steep as those in San Francisco. According to the Pedometer++ app on the iPhone, 32 floors and 6.5 miles. Just for comparison, the workout app on the Apple Watch, which are both completely different and unassociated, says 6.46 miles. That seems pretty consistent to me. Both Pedometer++ and the Apple Watch workout app used the phone GPS for their initial calibration. After that initial calibration, they both just use the accelerometers (one in the iPhone and the other in the watch) to conserve battery power.

Thursday Afternoon - Feeling a little queasy from the pain meds but otherwise doing fine. We are scheduled to head back on Christmas Day. 

14 comments:

  1. Seattle, sounds like just another overcrowded big city with hills to add to the misery. I've driven through it along I-5, not my cup of tea...as is any big city.

    Glad to hear your procedure is done with and are headed home.

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    1. Sounds about right. As cities go it's nicer than some others. I can't think of any big city that I like.

      Almighty st done. One more follow up in 8 weeks...

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  2. Well done on the uphill walking, Richard, it will hopefully contribute to your healing. Take care, and have a safe journey home.

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    1. Walking is good. Relatively low impact and hills are a great way to add a little cardio workout without running...

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  3. A merry christmas indeed. Ironic you live so close to the North Pole and are in Seattle for the all important holiday. Bloody doctors.

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    1. Ironic it is…

      Though I rarely make it out to Santa Claus House in North Pole. Too touristy especially at this time of year.

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  4. Surgery on Christmas? Hope it goes smoothly and you bounce back quickly!

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    1. Surgery was on the 22nd and we fly back on Christmas.

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    2. Glad to hear it went...hope the mend is quick!

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  5. Best wishes for a speedy recovery Richard and a Merry Christmas to you and family.

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    1. Thank you and merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  6. Yes, you are a cheapskate. But If I had begged you would have let me go to the aquarium.

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  7. I agree with you on the price of the aquarium and ferris wheel. We've never been to either. When you x2 for a couple it can get spendy pretty quick.

    Rest up and a safe flight back for you tomorrow.

    Merry Christmas to you and Bridget.

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    1. To me, it seemed a bit high for what you were getting.

      And, thank you. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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