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Sunday, December 21, 2014

Seattle in December Are we crazy????

The plan to go to Seattle in December sounded really good when the plans were made when it was still warm and dry.  As the days shortened and the temperatures cooled I comforted myself with this little fact: between October and May Seattle gets less rain than Boston, New York City or Atlanta, GA.

The plan was a grand one:  we would take a leisurely drive from our home to Eugene, Oregon and catch a morning train to Seattle.  We were traveling with our dear friends Greg & Pat.  Greg generously offered to take care of the train reservations and Bobbi & I would make Eugene lodging arrangements.  Greg called a couple of times to check with us and get approval for his plans.  What none of us anticipated was that getting up at 3:30 am to make the early morning train was getting harder and harder for these aging baby boomers.  I think we all remembered 1969 when time didn"t matter or if we ever saw 3:30 am it was because we had not been to bed yet. It was a wonderful thing we had a fabulous meat at the  Oregon Electic Station Restaurant.  We boarded the train in the dark and drizzle in Eugene.  

 The trip went well we traveled business class and I would highly recommend it.  We arrived in Seattle mid day and had a thought;  Why not try UBER, the largest ride share company in the world.  Well evidently Seattle is one of the few cities where UBER is not so popular.  Stood around for about 30 minutes being told that the ride was arriving, complete with description of vehicle and plate number.  Finally gave up and took a delightful taxi ride.  Finally got a text from UBER saying the ride had canceled.  Checked in the Sheraton and started out to explore Seattle.  We were about 5 blocks from Pike Place Market.  Wonderful floral displays as usual and more kinds of produce and fresh fish than to be found in one location.  Had fish n chips at Lowell's.  

I just about work out my Fitbit it was in a constant state of shock as we walked over 5 miles everyday. 

We rode the Monorail to Seattle Center.  Our first stop was the EMP (Experience Music Project) and a most beautiful bulding.  Greg went to warp speed  in the SciFi Museum.  



 We had a wonderful lunch at Sky City   You know the one on the Space Needle!!!


We toured the Dale Chihuly Garden and Glass  He is truly a talented artist.

Bobbi and I took a Ferry boat ride at night from Seattle to Bremerton.  Did I say we love Ferry Boats.  The Seattle Skyline is truly beautiful from Elliot Bay at night.


We went in search of the best biscuits in Seattle and were directed to Bainbridge Island and the Streamliner Diner.  We spent several hours wondering the delightful town of Winslow and did a bit of shopping.  Then we were back in Seattle.
  
Did I mention that it was the weekend the SF 49ers came to town to play the Seattle Seahawks!!! We walked from the ferry terminal up towards Pioneer Square to the gallery of one of my favorite photographers; Art Wolfe.  As we were exploring others shops in the area we were recommended to go to Marcela's Creole Cookery  we went for the Whiskey Sours and the Hurricanes.  We then fell in love with the Bread Pudding.

On our day of departure we spent a good deal of the morning trying to find Bread Pudding at Pike Place Market but no luck.  We got to King Street Station and had some time to spare so Greg and I walked around Century Link Field.  Did I mention it was game day for the 49ers and Seahawks.  What energy and fun it was.  When the fireworks went off to start the game all the car alarms were going off from the vibrations!. 

We had a great time and would do it again in a heartbeat but alas there are still so many journeys to take and memories to make.  Maybe we will return and maybe not.