Directionally Challenged's Route
Here's the URL for our route: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=910728
Directionally Challenged is a women's team consisting of Susan Tischler and Elizabeth Borgmann, friends and wanna-be Amazing Racers. Since we can't think of a gimmick or clever video idea to present to the CBS show's casting agents, for now we have settled for Street Scrambles as our main outlet for competition and exercise.
We were really looking forward to this Scramble as it seemed like ages since the Pike Place Market event in December. Our water bottles were filled, rain looked like it was holding off, and we were sufficiently layered, proudly displaying our new team t-shirts. It hadn't occurred to us that our clever iron-on idea would be completely obscured by the stylish neon orange Scramble vests. Oh well.
We headed out of the old school lot, aiming north toward #28 at the west end of Ravenna Park, helping two young men who hadn't heard the announcement about the #28-44 question switch. On to Roosevelt H.S. (#54 woohoo!), then southward, back through the park. Next was #17, and the start of what turned out to be blocks and blocks of the most charming old homes and gardens we had seen in a long time! I commented that it is much appreciated when the Scramble organizers create checkpoint locations that make us feel like we're on the Tour of Grand Old Homes and Gardens. We passed Candy Cane Lane on our left, and it seemed like several neighbors in this area were out front to greet racers. We hit #44 at the east end of the park and met "Larry," the Ravenna Park "greeter"??
Up, up, uphill for a couple blocks, then south to #21 to find the red bench. Further south we went, right down Greek Row to the UW campus. We entered the grounds on a footpath and found our way to #23, which required eagle eyes as we peered through the locked doors at the plaque inside. Followed the main road through campus, stopping at the Student Union Bldg (#42) and the Promenade(?)(#29). Wasn't the campus BEAUTIFUL yesterday? Don't we live in the most beautiful city on earth? I tried to imagine a small-town high school senior coming for a campus visit and falling in LOVE with UW....I'm sure that scene is played out every spring, many times.
We proceeded off campus, to the bus bench at #34, then on to the bus kiosk at #19. Down a back alley to the import store (#36), and then back to 45th to check out Hotel Deca. Elizabeth quickly spotted the "Automatic Door" plaque, I was expecting something bigger and grander and more "bronze". Time was running short but #18 was right on our way, except we detoured into Tully's before a helpful barista informed us that "whatever people are looking for in here, it's not here." Sure enough, the castle depicted in relief was right next door, now it was just a sprint (HA!) to the finish to end within the 90-minute time limit. We made it with 4 minutes to spare, not a minute too soon, as one of us had been needing a potty break since halfway through UW.
Thanks to Terry and Eric, the organizers, who always do such a great job! We had a blast and we'll see all of you in Bellevue on the 19th.