Redmond, Seattle, and the Haunted Saloon

          For the past few years, vacation has been something hard to come by. School, work, and hobbies always came in the way. Thankfully, I had one week before the next intercession of my school begins and I return to work, so I took it upon myself to schedule a trip up northwest to Washington, a place that has always interested me due to its culture, history, and weather. Heading up there, I didn't know what to expect.

Washington's known for its sprawling forest scenery and wet weather.

          I stayed in a small apartment in a city near Seattle, called Redmond, known for Microsoft which is located near the highway. Waking up was an experience as the sounds of the trickling stream and pond behind my friend's cozy home eased me, and sleeping was orchestrated by toads and owls. The trip was spent here mostly, my friend and I watching horror movies and documentaries, but when we had the chance, we took the bus and headed towards Seattle.
         

A small distance from the apartment, this brook was a calm getaway for reading.

     The main focus within Seattle was to experience the culture and history of Washington. I grew up hearing about a city within the north built on the creativity and hard work of those who braved the constant rain. One major landmark of this would be the Pikes Place Farmers Market, and it was just amazing. For roughly a mile, vendors with a history of thirty plus years shouted, hooted, and welcomed passing tourists and shoppers into their stores of fresh fish, cheap books, and indie artwork.

Pikes Place Farmers Market

          The day went by fast, and eventually, my friend and I grew hungry but were low on money. Thanks to Yelp!, a local place was suggested and we made our way to Seattle's Merchant's Cafe and Saloon. It was said and written to be the oldest cafe and saloon within Seattle, something my friend said I had to experience even if she had never been there, and I ordered the grilled cheese with bacon and fresh fries; however, that was not the only thing that came with the meal: the location is haunted.
          Yelp! comments stated that the ghosts were active on occasion, and immediately, I asked the host if the place truly was haunted. He stated, yes, it was, and things tend to happen on ocurrance. I took a shot and asked if I could investigate, and he instructed for me to head to the basement, where the restrooms are located, and to "do [my] thing." As soon as dinner ended, I was on my way with camera in hand--I wish I had my recorder, however.
          The basement was illuminated more than I had anticipated, holding both a lounge and the restroom, but no one was down there at the time. Within stepping down the steps, the atmosphere felt heavier than upstairs. It wasn't negative, but it was noticeably different. I began to snap photos as my friend sat hirself (excuse the pronoun; she's agender, a division of the transgender community, and looked over the room, taking it in. After several shots, I captured orbs, supposed forms of energy that are manifested by spirits, but I knew that it was a poker game with such things. After spending a while downstairs, I said thank you and left.
          Back home, I've looked back on the trip. Yes, I've gathered several stories that I wish to write, and I was able to pick up many trinkets and wet clothing along the way. It was sad leaving my friend of 7 years behind when I had just met her in person at the start of the week, but I hope to return or drag hir down to southern California another time.
          I've looked through the photos of the Merchant's Saloon, and not much has stood out to me as far as what was captured, but I did find one photo that stood out to me. The world is full of skeptics, and orbs do have a tendency to get confused with dust and water particles, and even insects, but this orb out of all of the photos takes on an illumination of its own, and to compare, I've pasted a photo with dust below, followed by the orb. View it in an analytical perspective as you will--these photos have not been modified in any form, shape, or manner other than uploading into this post.

On the top right against the bricks, this can be argued as dust due to the translucent center and bright ring; also, it is in a dusty area of the basement against bricks.

In contrast, up against the ceiling is an orb that seems to be illuminated on its own brighter than usual; compare to the photo above.