This post, and VLOG, details the adventures of my first record recon. A set of missions I discussed some time ago and am only now getting around to BLOGing VLOGing them! But hey, better late than never!
This, mission 1, involves traversing the Cross Kirkland Corridor, originating from Redmond and ending in Bellevue so that I can get recon data on Vortex Music & Movies and Silver Platters.
The following video of the logistics, the trip to Vortex, and then from Vortex to Silver Platters along with some thoughts on the pedestrian unfriendliness of the area. Continue reading for maps & more specifics of the trip plus links to the individual record store reviews.
Vortex Music & Movies (Video Review)
Let’s dig in to where this all starts. First, I’ll be departing from home via Education Hill as usual. From there it’ll be a short jaunt down a private road to catch the Sammamish Trail for a distance so short it’s barely worth counting! Next, a turn down 116th to Willow Road, then a turn at the intersection of madness at 124th and Willows Road. There it is the beginning of the hill climb up to the first point to cross over 124th and join the Eastrail Trail onward.
Once you get here, near the Totem Lake Park (Natural Area?), turn and traverse the wetlands on the raised trail. (Check the video to see what it looks like, I show some of it.) Then it’s 120th, to 128th, to 116th (I know, confusing, check the map, it’s actually pretty straight forward.) Then into the strip mall and you’re basically there.
Silver Platters (Bellevue) (Video Review)
The next stop is a local music store chain with locations in Lynnwood and SODO. This involves traveling back down 120th NE and merging back on to Eastrail. From there traveling all the way south to 52nd and dropping down to Lake Washington Drive.
An aside: This section of trail is also referred to as the Cross Kirkland Corridor. However the rail to trails sections that are being converted to trail run from Nakashima Barn in Skagit County, south through to Snohomish, then there’s a big unfinished gap that is in the works, then resumes in Woodinville, merges into the Sammamish Trail through Redmond and into Kirkland, then continues even further south to Renton and beyond. It’s a very very long, and gorgeous trail. Numerous segments aren’t finished, but the Kirkland segment is done and usable to interconnect to many points in the area.
Lake Washington Drive eventually becomes Bellevue Way where Silver Platters is located. Getting to this location via bike was less than stellar. As you can see in the VLOG there were a number of times I ended up traveling in the streets and snaking in and out of cagers stuck at their lights or just sitting in traffic stuck. Mind you, this is just standard daily traffic too, it wasn’t like I was taking this trip at rush hour!
But I digress, made it over to Silver Platters with relative ease. In spite of the less than ideal riding conditions for that last little stretch, the majority of the trip over there was stunningly beautiful. If you haven’t been on the Cross Kirkland Corridor section of the Eastrail you should find time in your busy schedule to get over there. The views of the lake and of Seattle in the distance plus so many other things makes for a very enjoyable trip.
Summarized Ride
In this VLOG and blog I’ve shared my experience of my first mission in the record recon series, where I explore local music stores. Starting from Redmond heading to Totem Lake, then I embarked on a journey along the Cross Kirkland Corridor to Bellevue, aiming to gather recon data on Vortex Music & Movies and Silver Platters. The video captures the logistics of my trip, highlighting the pedestrian-unfriendly areas and the scenic beauty of the route. Despite the challenges, the trip was visually stunning, especially the Cross Kirkland Corridor section of the Eastrail, showcasing breathtaking views of Lake Washington and Seattle. Hope you enjoyed the ride about, and if you’re interested in the record store reviews, and summary of what albums I picked up here is a list to those posts with VLOGs.
Transit Sleuth 