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Return to Roslyn, Washington

Last week I spent ten days in what is perhaps my favorite state – Washington. This trip included a visit to Roslyn, which is the real location of one of my favorite television shows – Northern Exposure. Yes, I know Northern Exposure (known as NX to fans) is set in the fictional village of Cicely, Alaska. However, the outdoor scenes were actually filmed in Roslyn, Washington. To this day, Northern Exposure fans like me make pilgrimages there.

This would be my second visit there, the first being in 2014. I wrote about that visit in my ‘Overexposed to Northern Exposure’ blog entry. For this visit I introduced my wife to Roslyn, who is also a fan of FX. Following are my pictures.

Dr. Fleischman’s office
The above picture was taken in 2014 in front of what was Dr. Fleischman’s office, which is not a gift shop. The man I’m pictured with runs the store and was an extra on the show.
same place ten years later
Here I am in the same place ten years later. Time flies. Notice my shirt and that of the proprietor in the previous picture. Also, my pose is almost the same. Just a coincidence. He told me this time he had spoken to Darren Burrows, who played Ed on NX, two days before who said a season seven is seriously being talked about with Rob Morrow as the executive producer.
ruth anns store
Here I am riding a horse in front of, what was, Ruth Ann’s store on NX. It still serves as a general store today. The actual interior part of the store is bigger than what you see on the show. Major indoor locations, including that of the store, were actually filmed in Redmond, Washington. I imagine they made the interior smaller on the show to give it more of a small-town feel. The actual population of Roslyn is 985 (as of 2022) where the fictional Cicely was between 400 and 500. One of the last episodes dealt with the decreasing population.

I had a nice chat with a local sitting on the bench. He wasn’t familiar with NX, but seemed to enjoy my fascination with the show as I explained which buildings were prominently featured. Also notice the image of the sign for the Brick in the reflection in the door.

Roslyn Cafe
Here I am with Mrs. Wizard in front of a mural seen in the opening credits of every show. There was an episode of NX that told the story of Roslyn, who founded Cicely. There actually is a Roslyn Cafe, which was never seen on the show.
The Brick
Here I am in front of The Brick, a restaurant featured prominently on the show. The interior scenes were filmed on the set in Redmon and look much different than that of the actual Brick. Trivia – The Brick is the longest operating bar in the state of Washington. It also has a little canal alongside the bar, which was used to spit chewing tobacco.
KBHR radio station
Here I am in front of the KBHR radio station. Today it is a closed off room in a boutique. On the wall are album covers for musicals Maurice spoke about on NX.
church
The image above I thought was of the church on NX. However, I was wrong. I see I got it right in my 2014 visit, which is seen in the blog entry I linked to at the beginning of this newsletter.

In closing, I found the Roslyn locals very friendly and talkative. So much different than what I’m used to here in Las Vegas. It seriously wants to make me want to move north to a small town. This is the first time I’ve said this in public, but I’m thinking of moving from Las Vegas in 2026. Very likely to the northwest and maybe even Alaska.

 

As a reminder, here is the July 18 Puzzle:

There are four camels, four drivers, and 20 water canisters at an oasis. Each camel may carry up to five full water canisters. Each canister holds a one-day supply of water for one camel and its driver. Full water canisters may be transferred from camel to camel, so long as no camel ever has more than five. There is an outpost a four-day distance from the oasis. Water canisters may not be refilled at the oasis nor left unattended in the desert. Camels at the oasis require no water. The goal is to deliver a letter to the outpost and safely return all camels to the oasis. How do you do it?

Solution:

Let’s label the camels A, B, C and D.

Day 1: Every camel takes a full 5-day supply a one-day distance. After the journey, each will have a 4-day supply left. Camel A gives a 1-day supply to each of B, C and D, keeping a 1-day supply for himself.

Day 2: Camel A returns to the oasis. Camels B, C and D advance another day towards the outpost, starting with a 5-day supply and ending with a 4-day supply. Camel B gives a 1-day supply to each of camels C and D, leaving him with a 2-day supply.

Day 3: Camel B, starting with a 2-day supply, retreats towards the oasis, ending with a 1-day supply and one day away from the oasis. Camels C and D, starting with a 5-day supply advance another day towards the oasis, ending with a 4-day supply. Camel C gives camel D a 1-day supply of water.

Day 4: Camel B, with a 1-day supply of water, returns to the oasis. Camel C, with a 3-day supply, retreats towards the oasis, ending with a 2-day supply. Camel D, with a 5-day supply, reaches the outpost, ending with a 4-day supply.

Day 5: Camel B returns to the oasis. Camel C, starting with a 2-day supply retreats a one-day distance towards the oasis, ending one day away with a 1-day supply of water. Camel D, starting with a 4-day supply, retreats one day back, ending with a 3-day supply.

Day 6: Camel C returns to the oasis. Camel D advances another day back, ending two days away from the oasis with a 2-day supply of water.

Day 7-8: Camel D retreats the rest of the way back to the Oasis.

July 25 Puzzle:

Five pirates have a treasure of 1000 gold coins. According to pirate etiquette, the highest-ranking pirate must make a suggestion on how to divide it. The suggestion should indicate exactly how many coins each pirate receives. After the suggestion is made, it is put to a vote. If a majority agree to the suggestion, that is what is done. If the vote doesn’t get a majority, then the pirate who made the suggestion is forced to walk the plank. Afterward, the new highest-ranking pirate will make the next suggestion. This process will continue until a suggestion is accepted. If there is an even number of pirates left, then an exact split vote will result in the suggested pirate walking the pirate, as there is no majority.

The pirates have their priorities in the following order:

  1. 1. Get as many gold coins as they can.
  2. 2. Make other pirates walk the plank.
  3. 3. Save their own life.
 

The pirates are all perfect logicians and know this of each other. What should the highest-ranking pirate suggest as the way to divide the coins?