seattle proper

This is my last post about Seattle so deal with it.  

I'm just sad vacation is over, is all.  Now I won't know WHAT to write about.  Except this little peanut of a two-year-old who is talking more than EVER and wore a pumpkin candy basket on his head like a hat for an hour yesterday.   

Back to vacation.

Which was PERFECT, because we had a couple days on either side of our into-the-wild camping adventure to experience the city of Seattle.  What a wonderful place it is!  I love the vibe of the city.  It's surrounded on almost all sides by water so there are bridges and ferries galore.  The people seem preoccupied with physicals fitness - whether that be jogging at all times of day on the paved walkways by the water, or the attitude of adventure that led to the amazing REI flagship store and all things outdoor-related.  They also love their dogs in Seattle, and I saw many seated on the floor of restaurants and walking through the city streets and parks.  Definitely a city I could live in - besides the rain rain rain.  Matt says I'd be gloomy, and I guess he's right.  But we got a couple beautiful days that made me think all the rain talk was just hype!  

We visited the observation deck on the 73rd floor of the Columbia Tower.  What a view!  Technically, this costs money, but I promise we didn't know that at the time and no one asked us anything. :)  You can see the Space Needle between our heads.

And there it is again, a little closer!  At the base of the Needle is a whole 'park' of sculptures, fountains, and cool buildings.  

Later we rode bikes down paved bike/running path that winds 20+ miles through the city.  We just rode to the locks, where they let big boats in through a series of gates.  The salmon ladders were there too, with an underwater viewing area that let us watch the salmon swimming upstream.  They go from salt to freshwater while swimming through the locks . . . I read a bit about them and they are pretty interesting creatures, if ugly.  We all know they're tasty, too. :)

 A warehouse on the docks. 

I also had the very special opportunity to see two of my cousins that were moving in to Seattle Pacific University.  It had been several years since I'd seen them!  Fun fact: our dads are twins so I guess technically we have half of the same genetic makeup.  That explains why Meggie, on the left, looks so much like my sister Elyse!  

Meggie is a PA this year - I loved seeing her wing decorations and it brought back some fond memories of good ol' TU!  Mary Claire is a freshman and has a lot to look forward to at this fine establishment!  I called Elyse and told her she should apply . . . I also got to see my Aunt Patti and have lunch with her as she was moving MC in.  I love family. :) (I am about to go camping which explains my large vest in this picture.)

 Here's another picture of the gum wall . . .

And the famous Pikes Place Market!

Where they are so cute as to grow flowers on the awnings!  

This is the fish-throwing spot . . . although I was amazing to see a fish slithering up and down on the ice, until Matt told me rather incredulously that he couldn't believe I thought that was real, couldn't I see the string tied to its tail?   No, Matt, I couldn't. 

 

 The fruit and vegetable stands looked so tasty and vendors cut off slices of apples and mangoes as we walked by.  Check out the giant mushroom below:

My FAVORITE part was the flowers . . . beautiful bouquets for five to ten dollars!!!!!!!!!!

 Glenn buying flowers for his sweetheart. :) 

 And, here it is, folks:

 The very first Starbucks.  Just a little place, really, but this is where it all began.

I must comment on some of the food we experienced in Seattle.  A notable lunch was had at Salumi, a little sandwich/meat place.  They cure all their own meat and there are salamis everywhere.  We found this joint because it is one of Anthony Bourdain's 13 Places to Eat Before You Die.  Thus, I have lived.  I am not a salami fan, but Matthew's sandwich was so amazing . . . as was my warm pork wonder.  :)  I had another wonderful sandwich at Paseo, which we walked to from Jess and Glenn's, and which is also top-rated in Seattle.  Yes, we ate well.

All good things must come to an end . . .

We are back to reality, which is a nice reality.  Matt cut his hair the first day back so he is shaggy mcgee no longer.  And, I must say, we are happy to be a family of three again!