A few takeaways from the aforementioned trip to the other side of the continent to visit Seattle, Vancouver, B.C. and Portland.
* All three cities have in common an odd juxtaposition: all the earmarks of hipness–from millennial workforces to meaningful mass transit to public art–contrasted with high-profile homeless communities. It was not unusual to see encampments in parks or under overpasses. Syringes came underfoot in unexpected venues.
* This bud’s for you. All three areas are more than familiar with the societal changes associated with marijuana. Pot tourism in the Northwest is faring well. Really well.
* Aromas are notable. Especially coffee, craft beer and weed. Not necessarily in that order.
* Seattle, Washington: Flying in, it’s apparent that the sports facilities for (Seahawks) football and (Mariners) baseball are urban hubs. The monorail–built, along with the Space Needle, for the 1962 World’s Fair–is still the quickest way to get from the Seattle Center to downtown. Bicyclists abound. In fact, Seattle was the first city to put its cops on bikes.
Current biggest news: What city will ultimately be chosen for the second headquarters of Seattle-based Amazon starting in 2019? Amazon says it expects to spend upward of $5 billion on a new corporate campus and house as many as 50,000 employees. Early favorites include: Denver, Austin, Chicago, Boston, New York and Toronto. No, Tampa didn’t make the speculative short list. A key requirement: accessible by mass transit.
* Vancouver, British Columbia: For a happening city, it had less downtown charm than expected. The biggest factor: a dense skyline of high-rise, residential flash cubes. Less than picture perfect at ground level. Granville Island, repurposed over the years from industrial to lifestyle, was a reminder of what Seddon Island has become. Will never understand the popularity of curling. Never.
* Portland, Oregon: Best signage of the trip: “Keep Portland Weird.” Imagine, the city’s Willamette River-crossing, $135-million Tillicum Bridge is only for light rail. Best pot ad: “Gluten-free marijuana.” Speaking of, it’s a felony to bring your legalized marijuana purchases home with you. Your “budtender” will remind you, but only if you ask.
Yeah, we dodged that bullet too.