Mike got me out off bed really early this morning (and I woke up mostly happy) so that we could get an early start on our trip into Seattle. The drive in wasn’t a big deal although we did have to take a bit of a detour. To cross over the bridge that Nell wanted to take us we should have pre-paid the toll online and well we hadn’t so we had to drive a few miles further south to come into Seattle from I90.

Driving into Seattle

No big deal, the traffic wasn’t bad entering from either way and we found the parking garage we wanted without any trouble (although Seattle seems to have loads and loads of parking). Once we got in the parking lot we did have a bit of difficulty as a result of Xena's very large rear end! We got down the ramp and around the first corner but then we couldn’t make the next turn as there wasn’t enough room between the wall and the bollards. We backed out and then the attendant directed us to a place marked for valet parking and we fit in there just fine. We left Xena hoping that when the time came we’d be able to get her out of the garage.
We headed from the parking lot towards the water and Pike Place Market that sits alongside Elliott Bay. The market, which began in 1907 with only eight farmers, is huge and awesome. It covers about 9 acres, and sells everything under the sun. When we first got there the farmers, fishmongers, and everyone else were getting there stalls set up so there weren’t too many people and we got to wander around and check out the gorgeous smells (there are more than 60 places to eat) and the wonderful sights. We met Rachel, the 550-pound bronze piggy bank, watched the fishmongers tossing whole smelly fish around and visited the first Starbucks. It was all very cool, very vibrant, and very hunger inducing.

Elliott Bay

Pike Place Market

Fish Tossing

Me with Rachel the Pig

After the market we set out north to the Olympic Sculpture Park which is in Belltown. There we found a number of sculptures that were ‘interesting’; Mike especially liked the typewriter corrector as it reminded him of his bygone days – or something like that.

Next we walked to the Space Needle. Seattle does have really good public transportation but it’s also a good city to walk around, even if it is a bit hilly. A few blocks and a couple of hills later we arrived at the Space Needle which sits at Seattle Center, the site of the 1962 World Fair. The Needle stands at 605 feet and the elevator ride of about 45 seconds took us to the observation deck at 520 feet from where the views of Seattle and beyond were amazing. We were very fortunate that we had a clear day and could see for miles from the top of the Needle.

Lake Washington

Monorail Station from Space Needle

View of Elliott Bay

From Seattle Center we took a ride on the Seattle monorail so we could get back to the market to get snacks. Mike wasn’t sure about what to get as there were so many things he wanted, but in the end he settled for an apple fritter that was about the size of his head. Actually he showed a lot of restraint as there was a fritter available that was about twice the size of the one he ate.

Riding the Monorail

Lunch

We wanted to get a bit of history of Seattle and I’d read a bunch of reviews saying that the Underground Tour was the way to go, so off we strolled to Pioneer Square, passing the Gum Wall on the way. The Square today is a nice little park area but as we learned on the tour it was the birthplace of Seattle. We had to wait for an hour to go on the tour and I have to be honest, it wasn’t really worth it. We learned a little about how Seattle began, and that the whole city had to be rebuilt after the fire of 1889, but that was about it. We went ‘underground’ but it wasn’t very impressive. When Seattle was rebuilt, the businesses were built quickly before the streets were raised out of the mud flats. Walls were built up to the level of the first floor of the existing buildings and the streets were raised; this left the ground floor of the buildings below street level. We got to walk through the floor that was below the street level which was basically like walking in a cellar – not special at all.

Gum Wall - People leave their chewed gum

Pioneer Square

Underground

Old wooden water pipe

Elevator mechanism

After the tour we hit the market one more time before heading back to the car. Xena was waiting patiently and we had no trouble getting her out of the parking garage. The drive home took us off the freeway and away from most of the traffic. We got back to Monroe and stopped and ate out for the first time in three months. I didn’t realise how much I’ve missed chips and salsa, but I think I can go another three months without eating out.
We had a really good day in Seattle, I think it’s one of my favourite cities of all the major ones we’ve visited. It reminds me a little of San Francisco, easy to get around and lots to see and do. Hopefully we’ll get to come back sometime.

Mike: I remember now! Mexican food! Mushroom tacos, Spinach-cheese Enchiladas, Burritos, black beans, rice and especially chips and salsa!