Seattle

I just watched this video created in honor of Dave Niehaus. It reminded me how much I love Seattle and all the memories I have of Seattle sports. I recall all the times I've walked from my house to HecEd or the football stadium, joining the purple masses of Husky nation. I remember Mike Jensen's three from the corner to beat WSU. I remember the great team of Nate the Great, Conroy, Jones, Jensen, Simmons, and Allen vanquishing unbeaten Stanford to make the NCAA tournament. I remember watching Tim Lincecum pitch in Tacome at the State Championships. I recall hunting for that perfect parking spot underneath the Alaskan Way Viaduct before heading to the Kingdome or Safeco field. I was there for Buhner's final home run, Ichiro breaking George Sisler's record, a Felix start during his rookie season, and one of Edgar's final games. Edgar's double in 1995 will likely always be my 1st or 2nd favorite sports memory. I will always remember Dave Niehaus recounting every second of that play, his voice ripping through the radio with passion and Griffey smiling as big as a human being can smile on the bottom of that joyous melee. I remember listening to Niehaus on the radio, or Groz with Gas in the afternoon. I remember getting Dicks-Drive-In before a Sonics or Thunderbirds game at Key Arena.

And seeing shots of Smith Tower, the Space Needle, the ferries and Pike Place Market reminded me of all the Seattle stuff I need to do again. I want to grab a Top Pot donut and walk around Greenlake on a lazy afternoon. I want to see the late movie at the Crest and then head to Dicks-Drive-In. I want to beat some shag balls at the UW Driving Range and have a helicopter land at the pad a mere pitch shot away. I want to watch my tee shot disappear down the 1st fairway at Jackson Park. I want to take the ferry to Whidbey Island and visit my favorite spot on earth. I want to go to Nasai Teriyaki just outside University Village or Hawaiian Barbecue on the Ave. I want to stand on the 17th tee at West Seattle, looking at the Seattle skyline and the iconic orange cranes. I want to walk through the Quad when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. I want to find an afternoon disappear at the University Book Store. I want to wear a raincoat instead of a topcoat. I want to be driving north on I-5 when Mt. Rainier rises gloriously in front of you. I want to eat Ivar's outside in the late afternoon sun. I want to wait in the line out the door to get a Red Mill Burger. I want to eat the garlic fries at Safeco and wish there was more than just one apple wedge. I want to drive through Fremont and see what the statues are dressed up as. I want to fly into Seattle and see Hood and Rainier peeking above the clouds. I want to watch the fireworks from Gasworks Park.

I also want to do all the things I never did while I lived in Seattle. I want to visit the rainforest. I want to become decent on the slopes at Snoqualmie Pass. I want to visit every single Micro-Brewery and pub in Seattle and find my favorite. I want to drink Seattle coffee and eat Seattle seafood since I've come to love both since I left. I want to bike the Burke Gilman trail. I want to Kayak the Sound. I want to catch a show at the Skychurch, Triple Door and the Showbox. I want to play Chambers Bay, Semiahmoo, Apple Tree and Desert Canyon. I want to take the ferry to Bainbridge just for the heck of it, find out what's so cool about Alki, and take a trip to Portland to confirm that I never want to live there. I want to lose my mind at Qwest Field. And more.

I don't know how long it'll be before I get back, or how long I'll be back, but I can assure you this, I'll be back.