Where else to start one's experience in Seattle than at the Pike Place Market. Wow! This place is amazing. I think I could have watched the mongers throw fish for hours. They are quite the entertainers. The colors and smells were so tantalizing, and everywhere I looked, there was some commotion to take in. One could feast for weeks here. I think I was most impressed with the efficiency of the booth workers, recognizing the amount of effort that goes into their smoothly-running operations. Each vendor is like a well-oiled machine as they cater to each customer. It was honestly hard to make our meal selections, as there was so much to try and enjoy. By day's end, we partook in fresh crab, locks and bagels, crepes, and organic Washington cherries. The locks and bagels were stunningly delicious. You sort of wanted to wrap your mouth around the entire bagel all at once, yet let everything sit on your tongue forever. It took great self-control not to scarf it down in two bites. We spent quite a bit of our morning here. I loved watching the entire operation ebb and flow. It was exhilarating!
There was no way we could visit Seattle and not stop in to the original Starbucks for Phill. I think I could actually feel his giddiness. I loved the old wooden floors and countertops inside, and wished they all had the same rustic feel. One tall Pike roast and I had a happy husband.
The Space Needle came next. Up, up we went. We were hopeful to see Mt. Rainier, but with the low cloud cover today, it just wasn't going to happen. We made our circle out on the observation deck, but the cold winds pushed us back inside the tower. I still can't get over these temperatures in July!
We always love to experience a city by walking it. This time we trekked toward Kerry Park, said to have some of the best views of the Seattle city skyline. 15 blocks, and a calf-burning hill later, we were not disappointed. I think I could have stayed up here all day. The view was great!
Since I'm not the regular Starbucks patron, and because I would rather support local, we made a separate coffee stop for me at this charming neighborhood find. There. We both delighted in our cups-o-joe in Seattle.
Our final activity of the day proved to be one of the most favorite things we did on the entire trip (that's saying a lot!) We took the Underground Tour. For those of you who don't know it, Seattle actually started one story below the current street level. The tour is actually based on William Speidel's book, Sons of the Profits. It is a fascinating story of how the businesses down there came to be and how the roads were built up around them...literally. And also how a certain type of scandalous business venture, also known as the "sewing circle", sprung from having too many beautiful women looking for work and an entire city full of lonely loggers, miners, millworkers and businessmen. But I won't spoil it for those who may take the tour someday. We learned an amazing amount of history about Seattle and some of its most prominent leaders at the time. If you're ever in Seattle, take the tour. Trust me.
Just like that, it was time to return the car and head for the airport. I'm typing this on our redeye back to BWI. When we left Seattle, it was 58 degrees and raining...very fitting for the end of our journey. I know as I bake in the 90s tomorrow back in Virginia, I'll be wondering why Phill and I haven't relocated sooner.
Thus we come to the end of our journey. It has been the most phenomenal, spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime adventure. We never could have imagined the scenes our eyes would feast upon these last 5,800 miles. We are so thankful for Phill's job, which has allowed us the time and resources to complete such a dream. Two oceans, four national parks, two national monuments, seven major cities, and countless scenic byways and state forests later, I'm having trouble finding the words to summarize our journey. I suppose that's why I decided to blog our trip. Even from the beginning, I knew one overall synopsis would fail miserably short of describing this exhilarating journey. As I read back over each of my entries, it's hard for me to wrap my head around all that we've accomplished in three weeks. I'm eight states closer to completing my goal of seeing all 50 before I turn 30. I now only have six to go! We each are immensely richer for our exposure to the histories and cultures we experienced along the way. As if we didn't know it already, this trip has only helped to confirm that we are indeed travelers. We take great joy in seeing new places and soaking up all that each has to offer. This is probably a good thing, as we now have a never-ending list of places we'd like to return to spend more time. If you asked me my favorite location of all, I would be left speechless. I can't name just one, as each has its own unique flavor. We do know that the west beckons our hearts. I learned this several years ago when I briefly lived in California, but this trip has only confirmed it. There is something about the larger tracts of uncivilized land, the prominent cedar smell in higher elevations, the mountains, and even the more rustic towns that make my heart flutter. The west is indeed a magical place for me.
I want to thank each of you for staying interested and reading the blog. I never thought I would be a "blogger", and admittedly, I'm not sure I'll make this a regular practice. However, I have truly enjoyed describing our experiences and making my lame jokes here and there. Thank you for enduring those!
Our next big adventure begins in September when we move to Texas. No, I do not intend to blog about that...at least not yet, anyways. Thanks again for your support! Hugs and warm (okay, maybe cool) wishes to you all!
Love,
Laura
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