Just back from Seattle Washington USA and the 2009 AFS (American Foundry Society) North West Regional Conference and Exposition. The show was outstanding and well attended. I liked Seattle - it has the "feel" of Austin Texas with lots of outstanding eateries, microbreweries, etc. It's a vibrant town - a town that seldom sleeps and it's also a dog friendly town. I was staying at the Red Lion on 5th Avenue in downtown Seattle and it seems that about one in ten people were walking a dog. In many respects, it a lot like Austin as it is a "green" town with lots of people riding the buses, trolley cars, and there were thousands of bicycles. Seattle is supposed to have pretty rainy weather - but Mother Nature pretty much held off on the rain during this trip. The temperatures were cool, but not cold and there was only an occasional rain shower. Had the best pizza I have ever had - at Pikes Peak Brewery - the all meat "Carnivore" - in fact, we went there twice - as it was so good.
I'd never been to Seattle before, so I took a little time out to do some local sight seeing. When in Seattle, one must go and visit the space needle that was built for a worlds fair years ago. I took the monorail down to the park and walked back. Also, while in Seattle I had the opportunity to visit the "Mother Ship" of REI, "Recreational Equipment, Inc." stores - the flagship - and was not disappointed.
Here are a few picks from my travels...
The Carnivore from Pikes Peak Brewery...
The REI store...
The REI store is ringed by world time clocks of famous outdoor recreational places...
A unique booth - a real attention getter -at the 2009 AFS NW Regional Conference & Expo.
I don't know how to travel light... At Synchro32, the team is always on the go...
Authentic English pub below the Red Lion hotel.
Setting up the Synchro32 booth...
and the final result...
the AFS NW Chapter really put on a good spread at the beer, pretzel, wine and cheese party...
and finally, the space needle...
Have you ever seen the top of a helicopter before?
Seattle is a dog friendly town...
Next Stop, VIVA Las Vegas... the AFS 113th Metal Casting Congress...
