Payday for Everybody!

What better way to start the last full day of the trip than with a final visit to Cinnabon?

Look at that roll-y goodness. Mmmm! Thank the lord that there isn't one of these in Sydney, because I would DIE.

I maintain the sustenance of Cinnabon is justified when one is about to cross the Mojave Desert on a hot summer day. 

A few hours of driving, and the desert transformed into downtown Los Angeles. Credit is due to Paul for not killing or being killed by any LA drivers - it seems changing lanes is regarded as a contact sport around here! Of course, after a few hours in the car, our first thought is of snacks:

My final root beer of the trip, SO delicious.

And the most amazing sandwiches from Mendocino Farms - here we have half a Drunk'n Goat in Paris and half an Heirloom TBL with vegie bacon. These guys have a few locations around LA so if you're in the area, The Earl of Sandwich commands you to GO THERE GO THERE GO THERE GO THERE!!  

Next up, Friday night baseball.

I love me a good dispensing crank!

It wouldn't be baseball without snacks, would it?

The Dodgers, looking Dodger-y

Raccoon in attendance, of course

It wasn't a super exciting game as the Mariners weren't playing, so we got a bit distracted

The Houston Astros, who, contrary to my predictions, kicked some Dodger butt.

After the game, the crowd was allowed on the field...

... to watch the Friday night fireworks. The home team didn't win, but the fireworks were sparkly and spirits were high.  The bus ride back downtown was certainly lively - among other hilarious outbursts, when we nearly collided with a wayward pedestrian one of our fellow commuters announced "Woohoo, payday for everybody!". Not sure they're clear on how accident compensation really works, but I'm totally using that as my catchphrase from now on.

Knight on the Town

Paul finished his exams yesterday so we decided to have a relaxing night out, fitting in a couple of our favourite Corvallis activities along the way.

First stop, McMenamins happy hour burgers, tots and beer

After annihilating our delicious and cheap (SO CHEAP OH MY SO CHEAP!) dinner, it was time to move on to the next phase of the evening...

Baseball! Our local team, the Corvallis Knights, were playing the Klamath Falls Gems at the field at OSU.

Chillin' with the Corvallis Knights knight

Pretzel

Crackerjacks! Oh, how I love weird American snacks.

In between innings, the knight chased a young girl with a loaf of bread

Of course, Raccoon was also in attendance

At the end of the 5th inning things weren't looking so great for the Knights, but we were a little excited because a huge freight train rolled right past the stadium. What a town!

Do people really need to be told?

Unfortunately the Knights didn't win in the end, but the atmosphere was pleasant and the snacks were plentiful so that made up for it. A perfect second-to-last night in Corvallis!

Safe(co) in Seattle

After kissing the ground on our front door step and changing over our luggage, we got back on the highway and drove up to Seattle for the baseball. Fortunately, the I-5 is straight, wide, and blessedly free of inclement weather!

 Obligatory pre-game Pike Place nachos...

 ... and delicious cheesy garlic bread.

Once we got to the ball park, my nachos had settled and I was ready for dessert. Bring on the caramel corn! 

Sweet, sweet cron

King Felix on the mound

They were playing the Yankees, so the crowd was quite big

Peanuts

At one point during the game a guy leapt out of the crowd and ran onto the field, only to be tackled by security and led away to great applause. Having grown up on cricket, I didn't think that was too weird but apparently it's quite unusual in baseball. There must've been something in the water on Saturday night, because shortly afterwards another guy ran out...

... and then a naked guy ran out:

... and then a fourth guy - he wasn't naked, but he did lose his shoe in the furore.

Because we're completely crazy (I like to think of it more as efficient), after the game we had another drive ahead of us, this time to Portland airport so I could ready for my 7am flight to New York. We had to leave a little early, but we were pleased to hear on the radio in the car that the Mariners beat the Yankees in extra innings. Yay! What better way to celebrate than a midnight slice of pie from Sharis?

Coconut cream pie for Paul and lemon meringue for me.

Seattle Weekend

After Twin Peaks, we headed back to Seattle for a weekend of delicious food and sunny days.

First order of business, dog signage

Coffee from Vivace

On Saturday morning, Paul & I went on the Safeco Field tour -

An historic Mariners moment

So empty!

The home plate from above historic moment

The back wall of the press box tends to catch foul balls 

 The official scorer's seat

 Ichiro!

 On the field

Sitting in Ichiro's seat in the dugout 

Cryptic inspirational notices in the dugout. I wonder what happened in Omaha? 

Obligatory post-game press conference 

On the way back to the car

After baseball geekery, we collected Georgia and made the compulsory trip to Pike Place Market, just in time for the Seattle Cheese Festival.

Did you not hear me say... CHEESE FESTIVAL? 

I was momentarily distracted from cheese by Gatsby-sized tipis. I think I'll have to try to make one of these when I get home!

Now, back to cheese

OSU apparently has its own cheese-making outfit. Who knew?!

Once we were completely cheesed out, we wandered into the market to watch the fish throwing (I didn't manage to photograph that, they're just too darn quick)... 

... and pick up some hot and delicious cinnamon doughnuts 

 Guardians of the doughnut

At this point I became a very slack photographer, so I have no evidence of delicious pho or the most amazing apple pancakes. However, I did manage to capture coffee with a friend before we set out for home on Sunday morning: