Mark and I were typical tourists today....had breakfast at the hotel and then set off on foot to see some Seattle attractions. We started with Pike Place Market - whoaaa....largest and oldest continuing market in the country dating back to 1907. It was quite something with all the food vendors, fresh fish (the clerks toss back and forth), flowers, and so much more. It was a happening place with people everywhere and LONG lines for 3 popular spots - the original Starbucks, the Pike Place Chowder Company and the Russian bakery, Piroshki, Piroshki.
Coffee shops are everywhere up here - obviously Starbucks, but also several other local ones.
It was chilly (55) and no sun when we ventured out around 9:30, but 2 hours later, the sun was out and the skies cleared to that deep blue! Love it....temps around 75. Perfect.
We left the market and walked to the Victoria Clipper ferry stop. We got our tickets printed and ready to go for Wednesday's cruise to Victoria with friends, Allie and Owen.
Then on up some steep hills to the Space Needle and Chihuly Museum. Started with the museum which was phenomenal - Dale Chihuly and his magnificent glass creations. Never saw anything quite like this and took several pics. This is a must see if you come to Seattle. We had a light lunch in the courtyard gardens with more incredible glass creations and beautiful flowers (all color coordinated with the glass sculptures).
Tall glass tree behind me
Taken by photographer....a freebie!
We had a 2:00 time to go up in the Space Needle. we were standing in line waiting for the elevator and whooaaa....the Blue Angels came flying over us! How cool!!!! Just love those guys!!!!!!
Course, we're a bit partial, but never gets old seeing them flying high and on such a clear day!
Really enjoyed the views from the Space Needle - 520' (this was completed in 1962) and so happy we had such great weather...."On a Clear Day You Can see Forever"........
Came back to the hotel (our Loyal Inn is a great location) and rested a bit....changed to shorts - ahhh...1st time since we've been out in the northwest!
At 4:15 we set off for Lake Union and our seaplane ride - what a THRILL......there were 5 of us, + our pilot, Ken. We flew over the city (so interesting to see all the "floating" homes (approximately 500 of these). We enjoyed the residential areas, Mt Rainier, Lake Washington, Puget Sound, the mountains, all the boats, and so much more on this very clear day. What a great ending to this "touristy" day in Seattle. BIG thanks to Philip who recommended we do this seaplane trip!
Very memorable seaplane ride
Walked to 5 Points Café and Bar which is a popular spot in a neat neighborhood of Seattle - they serve breakfast all day, but lots of other food in a real funky atmosphere. We ate outdoors and enjoyed our burgers immensely!
Stopped at Starbucks on our way back to hotel for a final hurrah to this amazingly fun day in this beautiful city. Had no idea it was so hilly....reminds us of San Francisco!
Can't wait for Allie and Owen to arrive tomorrow....
Coffee shops are everywhere up here - obviously Starbucks, but also several other local ones.
It was chilly (55) and no sun when we ventured out around 9:30, but 2 hours later, the sun was out and the skies cleared to that deep blue! Love it....temps around 75. Perfect.
We left the market and walked to the Victoria Clipper ferry stop. We got our tickets printed and ready to go for Wednesday's cruise to Victoria with friends, Allie and Owen.
Then on up some steep hills to the Space Needle and Chihuly Museum. Started with the museum which was phenomenal - Dale Chihuly and his magnificent glass creations. Never saw anything quite like this and took several pics. This is a must see if you come to Seattle. We had a light lunch in the courtyard gardens with more incredible glass creations and beautiful flowers (all color coordinated with the glass sculptures).
Along our walk to the space needle, a sculpture park
with this tree made of metal
The Space Needle
And just a few of the fabulous Chihuly glass creations...
Top of the Space Needle
We had a 2:00 time to go up in the Space Needle. we were standing in line waiting for the elevator and whooaaa....the Blue Angels came flying over us! How cool!!!! Just love those guys!!!!!!
Course, we're a bit partial, but never gets old seeing them flying high and on such a clear day!
Really enjoyed the views from the Space Needle - 520' (this was completed in 1962) and so happy we had such great weather...."On a Clear Day You Can see Forever"........
Came back to the hotel (our Loyal Inn is a great location) and rested a bit....changed to shorts - ahhh...1st time since we've been out in the northwest!
At 4:15 we set off for Lake Union and our seaplane ride - what a THRILL......there were 5 of us, + our pilot, Ken. We flew over the city (so interesting to see all the "floating" homes (approximately 500 of these). We enjoyed the residential areas, Mt Rainier, Lake Washington, Puget Sound, the mountains, all the boats, and so much more on this very clear day. What a great ending to this "touristy" day in Seattle. BIG thanks to Philip who recommended we do this seaplane trip!
Walked to 5 Points Café and Bar which is a popular spot in a neat neighborhood of Seattle - they serve breakfast all day, but lots of other food in a real funky atmosphere. We ate outdoors and enjoyed our burgers immensely!
Stopped at Starbucks on our way back to hotel for a final hurrah to this amazingly fun day in this beautiful city. Had no idea it was so hilly....reminds us of San Francisco!
Can't wait for Allie and Owen to arrive tomorrow....
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