From SEA to SAN(d): Gonna Fly Now

Taxi at 3am? Check. Manch Airport looking unbelievably busy even at that ridiculous hour? Check. Total foul-up with trying to get my bike through Security? Er, un-check.

Do. Not. Lose. Or. Damage. This. Please!

Super value at only £380.

Bit grim out there.

Cue 'Eastenders' drum-thuds: duh, duh, duh-duh-duh-duh x 12

I was thirsty alright?

The flight from Heathrow was chocka, but the BA staff were very cheery sorts thankfully and another small/major mercy was that they had a couple of tins of 'Austell IPA' and episodes of 'Curb...' on the terrific IFE. Could have been a lot worse!

In-flight ents are sorted.

Er, Canada.

Spent a fair amount of time here: rehydration & stretching as recommended...

So the moment of truth in Seattle Airport arrives and you loiter around the 'Oversize Baggage' area to see if the bike has made the connection against all the odds.

Turns out I'm not the only eejit in town today: I say hello to Charlie from Manchester, who is also cycling the West Coast too. Sensible bloke though...doing it in a group and taking er, 6 weeks! No wonder he was smiling, hah-hah!

Quick selfie nonsense afore the photo Stasi steamed-in.

Well, well...the bikes duly arrived! Mine in slightly more minimal packaging than anyone else's: think 'the photographic negative of Amazon'...still it did the trick.

After a quick bit of reassembly, it was off down to Crossroads Motel, Sea Tac-style. Dear oh dear, will I never learn? That's rhetorical, before any wise-acre chimes in!

Although one was a tad jaded, it was still only 2pm local time, so I decided to wedge into town via their Light Rail System. Alright Seattle, it's a small, frequent train. Nothing more, hah-hah!

Seeing as how time was tight, I really only wanted to see the Experience Music Project, which was founded by Microsoft co-founder-uber-nerd Mr. Paul Allen, back in 2000.

Back then it focussed on Hendrix but it has expanded quite a bit since then and has now re-branded itself as 'MoPOP': the Museum of Popular Culture. Bit surprised that you had to ask, if I'm honest.

MoPOP baby!

Electric Lady console.

Er, we're only 47 years late.

He & The Experience were all that.

Hellfire! That's a line-up.

As well as Hendrix guff, there was a Mick Rock exhibition and although I had seen some of the prints previously in Manchester, there was plenty to enjoy.

Gotta be a top three DB shot. Ronno ruled!

And then there was also a guitar fandango-thingy too...

Never heard of him. Wholigan!

Good. Lord. As played on 'Layla'.

Good. Lord. Pt.2!

There was one more surprise after that...a Jim Henson-fest! Everyone was shuffling around with superbly dumb and happy grins...excellent!

If you're not saying "Gee, Bert" to yourself now, then please leave.

A mover & a Grover!

Possibly my favourite 'Pets. Class!

Quality control slid a little/lot in later shows.

After that I had only one more target...

Get used to that outfit: that's as good etc.!

Actually, not quite 100% true...I needed grub pronto and after sampling the still-excellent Seattle Light Railway, I was back near to Crossroads and in Sharps Roasthouse and on the right-end of 3500 calories!