The Navel of the Starbucks Universe

RantWoman and Travelling Buddy had an appointment today in SODO. RantWoman is unclear about why the other half of the appointment never appeared but after we gave up on the appointment RantWoman realized she needed caffeine. Travelling Buddy needs caffeine even more consistently than RantWoman and discussion arose about how to acquire caffeine.

RantWoman would have been perfectly happy to get on the Light Rail and head for Starbucks closer to home. Travelling Buddy pointed out that the navel of the Starbucks universe was located mere blocks away and suggested we just go there. RantWoman has been going to and fro around the Sodo station for awhile and generally finds the environs much more drenched in autos and big motor noises, and long distances between meaningful destinations than many other stations. Because the tenor of the area is still so car and big truck-centric, it is also much less pedestrian-friendly than the area around other stations.

Because of many nerve-rattling experiences with curb cuts and travel speed, RantWoman frequently approaches pedestriating with Travelling Buddy with a certain amount of trepidation. Travelling Buddy does not let little things like scary motor noises, train whistles, bells at train crossings, and massive parking lots get in the way of her quests for caffeine, though, and RantWoman figured that the walk to Starbucks HQ would be less likely to be death-defying than some other trips with Travelling buddy so we set out.

Aside from the sonic amenities already enumerated, the major hazard was a fair amount of crumbling sidewalk tangled with tree root issues. RantWoman has definitely seen worse, but the sidewalk matters because...(ta-da!) Starbucks HQ is next to Sears! RantWoman is kind of indifferent to Sears and RantMom's pennies are really tight right now. However, when RantMom has pennies, Sears is one place she would easily like to spend them, and who knows whether RantMom would also find occasion to pop into Office Max.

The distance from the Light Rail to Sears is probably on the edge of the range RantMom would be happy about attempting on foot. If the pedestrian route from the Light Rail were even a little more finished and pleasant. it would definitely be a much easier sell!

And while RantWoman is at it, there is the matter of fast food. RantWoman and Travelling Buddy found a Taco del Mar inside Starbucks HQ. We only found it because of needing a restroom, but for what RantWoman's opinion is worth, TdM another one of those destinations for which a direct street presence could both serve the lunchtime employee crowd and make the area incrementally more appealing for the pedestriating public. Word!