Safeco Field, Home of the Mariners- Game 3

I mentioned in the last post that the trip we took to Seattle in 2018 might have set off a butterfly effect for me moving there.  Let me explain.

When I was planning the trip, there were two people that I wanted to try and see if we could make it work.  One was a coworker who I’d met at a training who I really admired and worked in the area, and the other was a former customer who I’d gotten close with before he had taken a job in Washington at a site where my company didn’t have any business.  I decided that it might be cool to kill 3 birds with one stone- see both of them and build a business connection for them to use in the future (#networking).  It ended up working out to go to the last game of the series together, and we all had a great time before, during, and after the game that day.

Flash forward to the end of 2018, and I’m not super jazzed about parts of my job, feel like I’m ready for the next step, and I hear that the site my former customer friend is working at is going through a bid and my company needs a proposed site lead (the next step for me, career-wise).  I throw my hat in the ring, and after several months of hard work, stress, and tough decisions, we won the business and I was on my way to Washington!
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Now Safeco is T-Mobile field, and I get to go to games basically whenever I feel like it, and it’s easy to believe that game #3 of the series it what set that all in motion!  Now, onto the game.

​The Seats

Since it was a Sunday afternoon game, tickets were a bit cheaper than the other two games, and I was able to find the number we needed for our group at a good deal in section 128, which is in the lower section on the right side of home plate.  We were up towards the top, but it was perfectly shaded for a sunny Seattle summer afternoon!
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After a couple of tough losses, I was very ready for a Red Sox win and a Frosé.  Unfortunately, the section that sold the Frosés was rented out by a private company, so I couldn’t get any, but we at least got to see a Sox win!  Xander, Raffy, and JBJ all hit home runs and Boston never trailed, winning 9-3.

Overall, I think we went 3 for 3 on seats for the series.  We got 3 different views of the field, all of which were great.  I’ve since been back and sat in even more areas of the ballpark and these 3 are still in my top 5 in terms of places to take in the game.  Great views, great access to food and drinks, and great atmosphere!

The Eats

Before the game we went to Pyramid Brewing, which was right across the street.  I say was, because it has now closed.  Seems like it might have been a covid casualty.  Which is too bad, since it was quite good. 

After the game, the group went to Gordon Biersch Brewery for dinner.  I’d qualify it as middle of the road- cool venue, enjoyed it while I was there, but not memorable enough to go back when there are so many options in Seattle.  Also, I just looked online, and they’ve also apparently closed their Seattle location.  So I guess it’s not even an option!
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The next day, I wanted to have a day where we really focused on my sister, who the trip was really about!  She, while not strictly vegetarian, tends towards vegetarian options, so I wanted to explore what Seattle had to offer.  Turns out, it’s a lot!  We started at Sunlight Café, which I’m happy to report is both delicious and still open.  I had the sesame waffle, which was excellent.  After our walk around Green Lake, we went for a late lunch/early dinner at Café Flora, which if I could eat there every day, I would have a really easy time being a vegetarian.  So good.  Since moving here, I’ve had a lot more opportunities to try vegetarian and vegan restaurants and dishes, and while I don’t think I’ll ever be able to give up bacon, Washington, and particularly the Seattle area, does right by their vegetarian and vegan residents.

Other Deets

If you’re looking to take a stroll but don’t want to leave Seattle, ditch the overpopulated boardwalk area and head to Green Lake.  It’s still pretty packed with people, but mostly tourists trying to get out for some riding, blading, running, or walking and talking.  It’s a pretty decent loop, has lots of good views, and gives you something active to do on vacation to make you feel a bit fresher!

Seattle and the surrounding areas also have some good options for shopping, if you’re into that sort of thing (which my sister definitely is).  We tried both the University Village in Seattle and the Seattle Premium Outlets, which are a bit north of Seattle.  University Village I think definitely appeals to a younger crowd but have plenty to offer for anyone and is the best option if you’re looking to minimize your time on the road.  If you have an excuse to get north, though (Tulip Festival?), Seattle Premium Outlets is one of the best outlet malls I’ve ever been to and have tons of great options in an outdoor (but covered, as it is western Washington) area.
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I feel like Seattle has gotten a bit of hate in the last few years, which is a bummer, because I don’t think it’s warranted.  Don’t get me wrong, Seattle has its issues, but so does every place I’ve ever been.  Anywhere you live, just like anywhere you visit, you have the power to either focus on the negatives or focus on the positives.  I hate that sometimes the traffic is bad heading down to games, and there are definitely parts of the city (especially around the super touristy areas) that are pretty dirty.  But I’ve never gone to the city and regretted it, just like I’ve never gone on a vacation and regretted it.  We always find something that was great, whether it be a good game, a good meal, or just seeing or experiencing something new.  I hope, even as we visit more and more, that we continue to find the positives and choose to love our new home every chance we get!