Travels in the Pacific Northwest

Of course, I was absolutely delighted when Danno asked me to go to Seattle with him. I was able to get the time off from work on short notice. I started researching Seattle and the National Parks out here. Then work got busy, and I was working long hours overtime and wasn't able to do as much research as I normally would for a trip.

Mike drove me to Danno's apartment in Lowell last night. We had dinner and hit the hay early - 10 PM is very early for me.
John Brendan picked us up at 4:30 AM to drive us to Logan airport. Check-in went smoothly, we cleared security with a body scan and then a pat down. We boarded our Alaskan Airlines plane and took off promptly at 7:30 AM. Smaller plane with three seats and then three more across. Dan had the window seat. I was afraid I would be squashed in the middle, but the seats were comfortable and seemed to have a little more room than the last couple of flights I have taken.

The flight was 5 1/2 hours - longer than going to Ireland! We landed early - maybe 10:30 AM Seattle time.  There was no wait for the train to go to the baggage area - once there, our bags came right away. I minded the bags while Danno got the car rental paper work set. Then we got to choose the car that we wanted!  Dan picked a Toyota Camry. I'll never be able to go back to my Corolla now!

Dan is at the head of the line.

Since it was too early to check into the hotel, Dan drove to Pike's Place Market for a look around and a bite to eat. I was so surprised at all the hills in Seattle!! I thought I was in San Francisco!

I thought of JB when we passed a church with a sign about fair pay for workers. The Seattle City Council voted unanimously this month to gradually raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.  JB and Amy are working for an increase in Massachusetts' minimum wage.

We took a walk through the Market Place. Reminded me of the open air markets in old Dock Square in Boston - only much, much bigger with all kinds of stands with crafts, jewelry, clothing. The prices for fresh fruit were terrific - I told Dan that I would go back and buy some fruit tomorrow for our drive on Thursday. And I may send Johnny Murphy some smoked salmon. The fish markets had all kinds of fish - real fish!! Not like Shaw's or Stop 'n Shop at home. 

 Fresh Alaskan Halibut and fresh Alaskan Copper River Salmon.

The butcher stands had every kind of meat and every part of a cow and a pig! Plus all kinds of other animals!

Ferris Wheel from Pike's Place market.

The market was packed with people. The street through the market district was jammed with tourists and locals walking back and forth - the tourists trying to take pictures or poking along eating foods from the various shops. All the while cars were trying to get through at the same time - through the crowds who paid them no mind.

Dan on the corner of Pike's Place.

We were starving by this time as there was no food on the plane unless you wanted to buy it, and the offerings weren't appealing. 

Dan walked by a couple of places before heading into Maximilian's restaurant right in Pike's Place Market. We opted to sit outside where we had a view of Puget Sound. We watched ferries coming and going. Saw large and small planes passing overhead. It was cloudy and cool but the sun would break out occasionally. It was so relaxing.

View from the restaurant.

We both ordered the halibut with peas and spinach in a little cream sauce - $20. I ordered mine off the three course menu express for $25 because I wanted a salad. I was telling Dan how my mother would buy halibut on a Friday and bake it in milk with Ritz cracker crumbs and butter sprinkled on top. The green salad was good, but this halibut was delicious! I even ate the peas!! And I hate peas!! My creme brûlée was dessert. We both tried it - the sliced strawberry on top was so sweet!

Dan on the way back to the car.

We walked along the street back to the car. I wanted to stop at what must be the original Starbuck's and get an iced coffee. But the line down the street was ridiculous! I was thinking of my daughter Mairead who worked for a long time at Starbuck's back in Watertown. Dan took a picture for her.

We passed some outdoor vendors near a lovely park on the harbor. One woman was selling magnets. I had to borrow money from Dan to buy a couple because I had forgotten to go to an ATM before leaving Boston and had given JB my last bit of cash. The woman told me that she had been selling magnets there for 27 years. She takes the pictures and then puts them together. She said that the vendors are in different locations every day - there is a lottery system although seniority plays some part in it too. I felt happy buying the magnets from her instead of buying some that are massed produced.

I stopped at Tully's for an iced coffee - it was surprisingly good. I'm a Folger's Instant Coffee gal - I don't really like the taste of coffee so Starbuck's and the like are lost on me. I might buy McDonald's ice coffee because the money goes to Paul Newman's charity. Looks like Tully's is a local chain although it lists Japan on its website!

From Pike's Place Market we headed to the Marriott Residence Suites - not too far away except for all the closed roads due to construction. It took Dan no time to check in,  and we are resting in our 7th floor suite. I'm sitting on the balcony as I write this blog. Dan is in the bed watching soccer. 

My room with pullout couch. Balcony overlooks the harbor.

Dan has the bed. We are sharing the patio, bathroom, and kitchen!!

There are sailboats, motor boats, ferries, sea planes - even a rowboat - coming and going. The view from the balcony is great!!

View from balcony.

The traffic is heavy below me. There is a light rail running on the street as well.

The sun is out, the sky is clear except for some puffy clouds, and there is a light breeze. A perfect start to our adventure!!

It is almost 9:30 PM now. We decided to rest up at the motel tonight. 

Light rail that passed me as I walked to I Love Sushi.

I walked up to "I Love Sushi" and brought back supper. I got teriyaki chicken which was very good. I walked back along the harbor. Lots of expensive boats docked there.

You can see the Space Needle in the top center.

Sights on my walk home.

Supper was another good meal. Now we are lazing around waiting for the sun to go down so we can go to bed. It is 12:39 AM Boston time.

View of harbor from balcony about 8 PM.

We are planning to go down to breakfast at 8 AM - the bus tour of Seattle is picking us up at 9:30.  I'd like to get in a walk in the morning before it gets to hot - supposed to be about 80 degrees. Looks to be another great day!!