Traveling During Christmas- The Final Chapter

Flying during Christmas wasn't nearly as annoying as I thought it'd be. I made it through security in under 20 minutes on both flights. There didn't seem to be that many more stupid people than normal.

One thing: Parents. If you have a baby and you're flying, you need to bring something for the baby to suck on so it doesn't cry its full head off at takeoff and landing. Duh duh duh. You need to pop your ears and your baby does too. In the words of Gob: Come on!

The Creation Museum

As a disclaimer, I'm not a religious person. I am also not anti-religion. I am anti- anti-logic, however. I am agnostic and I don't pretend to know what is the truth, because I don't. I try to keep an open mind.

More information on the Creation Museum can be found here :http://creationmuseum.org/

The Creation Museum is in Petersburg, Kentucky, which is about ten minutes away from my parents house. It hasn't been in existence that long- I think it was built when I was in high school. I've always had an interest in going, just to see what they had to say, but the price of admission is steep ($24.95 per person) and I don't want to give money to crazy fringe religious groups if I don't need to. It only supports the crazies.

After arriving at my parents house on Wednesday, Dad informed me that on Christmas Eve, the Creation Museum would be free from 10 to 3, and they were going if I'd like to join them. I jumped at the chance to finally get to check this place out. 

My parents are my parents, so we arrived at the museum promptly at 10. It was pretty busy. The place has a weird layout and includes a planetarium and a theater (screen, not live) in addition to the main museum part. A long line at the planetarium steered us away, and we tried to go to the show playing in the theater. It was called the Men in White, and we just missed the first showing, so we headed on into the main part.

The first thing you see are some foreshadowing posters hinting at what lies within the museum, and an impressive wax sculpture of two archeologists . I had to stare at it for a minute to see if it was real or not. The point of this sculpture was to point out that scientists make conclusions on the things they find based on their assumptions and Biblical scholars make theirs based on the Bible. 

I don't have a problem with that on a very basic level. Obviously, people are going to see things differently based on their own perceptions, and there isn't anything anyone can do about that.However,  I felt like this being the first thing, along with the way it was presented, was going to be used as justification for ignoring anything that might dispute their mindset. I wasn't wrong. 

We continued. I didn't actually know what to expect from the museum other than a creationist mindset. What I learned was the the museum was either built by or in conjunction with the Answers in Genesis people- the ones who think dinosaurs lived with people. This interested me even more, because I was really interested to see how they were going to justify this claim. 

They didn't do it very well. The museum was strangely put together. I don't feel like it had a logical flow at all. We went from creation to the flood, but intermixed were all kinds of side exhibits ranging from what would happen if atheists ruled the world  (abortions, drugs, and Hitler, if you're wondering. Funny, I always thought Hitler was a Christian…) to Natural selection. Nothing flowed very well. 

The point of the Creation Museum is to share the idea that God created the Earth roughly 6,000 years ago, dinosaurs were created the day before people, and they lived with people until they died. Also, Jesus died for your sins. 

I get the dinosaurs living with people argument at first. There are some passages in the Bible that speak of animals that don't quite add up to any animal I've ever seen or heard about. The CM has decided these are dinosaurs- and they do fit the description of dinosaurs pretty well. Okay, fine. This raises one main questions- what happened to the dinosaurs? There isn't an answer for that. They say there were dinosaurs on the ark, though they didn't back that up in Scripture. Then, at some point after the flood, all the dinosaurs died. They kind of dance around the idea that humans killed all the dinosaurs after the flood. Well, there were, what, 6 people after the flood? And two of every kind of dinosaur. Why wouldn't the dinosaurs eat the people? And even if they didn't, six people taking on that many dinosaurs is a huge undertaking. But whatever. I guess it is possible if you assume the entire Earth was flooded and a dude made a boat big enough to hold two of every species on Earth. 

I don't believe the whole dinosaur thing. I didn't before I came, but I felt more like my intelligence was being questioned at this place. I felt like I was supposed to walk through the museum, believe everything I read, and go on with my life. There weren't answers to any of the questions that naturally popped up in my mind. If there had been more of that, I probably would have enjoyed hearing this opinion more.

The other part of the museum is all about Natural Selection. The CM says that Natural Selection isn't evolution- but they don't really seem to be able to explain the difference. They're really good at showing how natural selection exists, but they don't explain why evolution doesn't, other than the assumption of God. I'll give them that natural selection isn't proof for evolution. They fit along nicely together, and I think the idea is one of the best we have, but it isn't proof. However, one can look at it logically and say, okay, natural selection and evolution go hand in hand. This makes sense. The CM says- I shit you not- that God made animals evolve really fast after the flood, which is why we find evidence of different kinds of animals, but then he slowed it down, and that's why animals don't evolve so quickly today. Um, what? That doesn't even pretend to make sense. I can't stand arguments that are that illogical. Come up with something better, please! That was the only mention of any kind of evolution, including rebuttals to the argument. Disappointing. 

Don't get me started on The Men in White. Imagine religion trying to be hip while mocking people who believe in science, and things that can be proved. Oh, and the Men in White are Mike and Gabe. Not Michael and Gabriel, but Mike and Gabe. Barf barf barf. Is there anyone in the world who would be more likely to listen to a representation of an archangel who is like, totally cool, dude, and wears white overalls rather than the traditional one? Are people that dumb? "He's more like me, so he must be right!" 

One more point- I heard at least three times that carbon dating is based on assumption. At no point did they clarify what those assumptions are. Besides, their entire mindset is based on assumption! They just call it faith. 

I shouldn't have expected so much, but I would have loved an actual argument to evolution. I don't want to go to a museum to be told the same things I would be told by an uneducated creationist. Why spend all that money on nothing? I guess it isn't nothing. The people who go there want justification for their beliefs. Churches have been raking a profit for providing justification for mindsets they've taught for years and years. I guess it isn't much of a stretch that a museum do the same. 

Man, I have never been so high...

And on the Internet at the same time!

Google Chrome and Delta teamed up and are offering free Wi-fi on all their flights until January 2. Woot! I'm pretty excited about this. I started to watch a movie, but I felt like the light flickering would probably really bother the people behind me. I'll probably be able to make better use out of it on the way back to Seattle.

My flight was delayed, so we won't be arriving until about 7. Not that late. Should be a little over an hour.

Flying during Christmas part 1 is going very well. I expected this part to be easy- overnight and several days before. Flying back the day after Christmas will be more of a challenge, I expect. That flight is in the evening, so hopefully it won't be that bad either!

Flying during Christmas

Though I have traveled somewhere over 100 miles away every Christmas I can remember, I have never had to fly. When I was younger, my grandparents lived within driving distance. Leaving all of your brand new toys and sitting in a car for four hours isn't what I'd call fun, but it was probably better than dealing with the airport. I can say for certain it was much better for my parents!

But now I've moved 3,000 miles away and driving home for Christmas is no longer an option. I've missed the annual trek to my grandparents' houses, but I will be returning to NKY. My only feasible option is the plane.

I managed to get pretty good flights, which is surprising since I had to book them pretty late. Both are nonstop- very difficult to get from Seattle to Cincinnati! Still, in the winter, not having the obligatory layover in snow covered Chicago or Minneapolis is pretty ideal. One of the sacrifices was an overnight flight. I leave Seattle at 11:30 and get into Cincinnati at 6:45 AM. This isn't really that bad, considering that is 3:45 my time, and I normally go to sleep around 3 anyway. Plus, I ran around like a crazy person today and I'm pretty tired. So I guess we'll see how it goes.

Hopefully the demon next to me won't be near me on the plane. (Seriously. It is snarling. What the hell kind of baby snarls and growls? I'm creeped out.) Or maybe it will go to sleep. Fingers are crossed!

Ocho

One of the most disappointing things about working second shift in Seattle are the food options after work. (The first is that the bars are all closed by two, and it isn't uncommon to see last call at 1. YOU try to go out when you get off at midnight. Humph.) As far as I've found, there is Dragonfish downtown. I like this place because it is super close to work, and they're beginning to know me due to going there with my co-workers. And their happy hour is awesome. There is also Beth's Cafe on Aurora, which is great diner food, but always filled to the brim with teenagers. And there is 13 Coins, to which I have never been but I hear it is expensive. I don't like expensive.

Needless to say, the other day when Sam and I were trying to get food at 11 at night, I wasn't really excited about my options. But then I decided to try Urbanspoon. (Oh, how I love Urbanspoon...) Late-night options and Ballard brought up- you guessed it!- Ocho!

Their urbanspoon page has so many good reviews it is ridiculous. In fact, the only people who said why they didn't like it was 1 person who waited too long in a full restaurant (like someone can do something about that.) and one person who didn't like it because the music wasn't Spanish enough and they didn't change it at their bidding. Ugh. So, in my book, everyone liked it, because stupid people's opinions don't count!

So anyway, I read a review and it said service is great blah blah blah place is pretty blah blah blah. Okay, cool. But THEN it said they have tapas. I LOVE small plates. I am a small eater and Samuel and I like to share, so small plates are very fun for us. AND it said they serve food until midnight during the week! (Doesn't help much for after work, but still!) On the weekend, they serve until 1.

So we went. One thing I did not like was that it was a little hard to find. We drove past and walked past (almost twice) before realizing where it was. So, if you go, it is the one on the corner, and has a little stained glass window above the door that says Ocho. Now you know.

But inside is totally adorable. They have great lighting, but most of the light on the tables come from candles, which sets a really nice atmosphere. Their backbar is really cool, and the bottles are lit up with candles as well. The tables are really nice wood, and the booths are comfy.

Their tapas menu is pretty extensive. Sam and I ordered 9 or 10 between us and still didn't cover everything. And they were all delicious! Our server was really good about telling us which ones were enough to share and which ones weren't. He was also really good at telling us what was in their cocktails, how everything tastes, and pretty much every single thing we wanted to know. This guy ROCKS. The food came out quickly and was hot.

I'm a new fan. Anyplace that gives me delicious food quickly late at night is going to move to the top of favorites list. I can't wait to go back.

Pike Place Market

We decided not to go out to Port Angles for a day and save it for a time when we could spend more time in the rainforest. We briefly considered going to Snoqualmie Falls, which is about 45 minutes away. Instead, we decided to be hometown tourists and go explore Pike Place Market.


I've been to Pike Place a couple of times before, mostly to go to Piroshky Piroshky. If you've never had one of these delicious Russian delicacies, you must try one. The only way I know to describe them is say they are like a little pie (think Shepards more than fruit) in a sealed pocket of dough. They also have sweet desserts (which I have somehow never tried!) and borsch. The place is small- there are three seats- but piroshkies can be eaten by hand while exploring the rest of the market.


After piroshkies, we stopped at Sotto Voce. What can I say, the array of oils to sample on display was too much to pass up. This place infuses their own oils and vinegars, and they are amazing! After sampling the balsamic vinegar inflused with ligonberries and mint, we couldn't help but buy a small bottle. Later, we marinated mushrooms in it and they were superb. My mouth waters just thinking about them!


We spent almost all of our time in the building across the main drag from the main building. I didn't know this one had an underground full of shops as well, and found some pretty cool stores to explore. Sam was enthralled by the map store and the store with three aisles of Asian condiments (Sam heaven!) After a quick torturous visit to Sur la Table, we made one last stop at a wine store before our parking time was up. 


I just moved to Washington, and my work has mostly local foods and beverages, especially wine and beer. I am making a real effort to learn about Washington wines. Let me tell you, no one really has to twist my leg! One of the things I learned is that there are three red varieties that thrive surprisingly well- Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Lemberger. Lemberger? I had never even heard of that grape! It turns out that lemberger is grown primarily in Germany and Austria, where it goes by the name Blaufränkisch, and Washington State! Here, it grows mainly in Yakima Valley, and there are also some growings on the Olympic Peninsula. Ever since I found this out, I've been on a hunt for a bottle and this day, I found some! 

This was the wine I found. According to the lady at the wine shop, Wolfe was one of the primary people who brought lemberger to Washington. They had it priced at $13.99, and after a glowing recommendation, I purchased the bottle. Needless to say, I did not regret it. The wine is a dark red. Subtle at first, it had a delightful full finish. It isn't tannic at all. Yum yum yum. I don't know if this is a good example of a lemberger, but it certainly was delicious.


That pretty much finished our day at Pike Place! I have to say, the Market is one of the coolest things about Seattle.A little overrun by tourists, yes (we almost got run over a couple of times by some crazy people in reindeer horns yelling about the first Starbucks) but pretty cool nonetheless. I think I'll stick to heading down there on Monday afternoons when parking is ample and the tourists aren't running amok. 

Well, this blog isn't getting off to a good start.

Well, the hostel at which we were going to stay never called us back or replied to our e-mails to make a reservation, so we decided not to head out to Port Angeles tonight.

We might go tomorrow, but we need to leave very early. It is about 3 hours there and back, and the sun is going down around 4. We haven't decided what to do.

Welcome and Introduction

Hello (future) readers!

This is a blog mostly for my travels, but I don't get to travel as much as I'd like. So to fill the gaps of time, I'm also going to post about one of my other favorite things- food!

I love food. I love food mostly when someone else makes it for me (though I can make some delicious stuffed peppers). This actually works out really well, because not only am I dating a classically trained chef (CIA what what), I am dating a classically trained chef who loves to go out to dinner. So, I am either eating delicious food at home, or I am eating delicious food in a restaurant! What can I say, life is great!

That boyfriend is also my travel partner, so you'll see him mentioned a lot. His name is Samuel.

I live in Seattle, Washington. I am a misplaced Kentuckian, having lived there for most of my life. I've only been here for 5 months.

I have nothing else to say! My next planned trip is to Port Angeles, WA with Samuel on Sunday. Instead of taking the ferry, we are going to drive down to Tacoma and take the bridge across to the peninsula, then drive up.