Heading home

 Before we leave Seattle we take a quick stroll by the music project and this magnificent structure

 Grab a coffee at the Starbucks in the corner.... and off we go.  It was quick but well worth the trip!

 Here's a sight very familiar to us islanders.  One of the hundreds of tiny little islands we wind through and around on the ferry trip home.

 I'm not sure what island this is but it's so very different from our own lush green one!

While we were gone our neighbors had puppies!  Meet Angus and Aiden.  Wow!

Seattle, day two

 Day two, beautiful weather! We walked over to the Space Needle and caught the monorail to Westlake Center.  From there, a short walk straight down Pine Street brought us to Pike Place Market.

 The first thing I noticed, besides the crowds of people were the gorgeous flowers.

 Every size, color and type imaginable.  Wow!

 Sweetie immediately noticed the lobster tails.  If only we could bring some home....

 The corner market and lots of people....

 Sweetie didn't make it past the cannoli's!

 Some underground magic (not really under ground, just the floor below..)  Love the posters!

 Across the street we found an Olive Oil sampling shop.  Now we're talking!

 And a wine shop.  Hand harvested, family owned.  That's something to dream about.

 The fresh chili's were hanging from the rafters...

 Even the dried ones were so colorful.

 And the bottled chili's.  Too many to count!

 Let's not forget the coffee, this is Seattle after all.  Love the packaging.

 We had lunch at the smallest little restaurant, 5 seats on each side I think.  BEST halibut wrap ever!

 And here is gum alley.  Really?

Then as we headed towards the water front we past this amazing metal sculpture fence.  It's been a great day so far.

Seattle here we come

Like a lot of people we know, Sweetie and I decided to do a staycation this summer.  We thought a nice destination, not too far, but far enough, would be Seattle, Washington.  I've never been, and Sweetie visited once many years ago... Known for Music and Art, the Space needle, great restaurants... and then there are the Outlet Malls... need I say more?

After great debate (seriously?) we decided we would drive to Sidney, BC (lovely little city) and take the Washington State ferry to Anacortes.  Perfect!  Reservations are made!

I really didn't want to arrive in Seattle, bedraggled and exhausted after travelling 7 hours... so I upped the ante and added a night in Sidney to the plan.  Did you know Sidney BC has 10 bookstores? Yes, 10!

We stayed at the lovely Sidney Pier and Spa Hotel www.sidneypier.com.  I can’t say enough about this place.  Warm welcoming staff, lovely accommodations, incredible view and then there is Dave.  If you really want to know, check out the link. 

We caught the ferry the next morning bright and early.  Good thing we made a reservation because this boat was full!  From Sidney we traveled east with Orcas Island to our north and Lopez Island to the south, many more little islands dotted along the way, onward we sailed to Anacortes.

 First stop in Anacortes was something to eat!  We are starving!  Driving directly through town, sticking to our route to Seattle we came across Bob’s Chowder Bar. Best chowder around they claim.  Neither of us had the famed chowder but the halibut wraps were amazing. 

We followed directions from our Garmin and low and behold, eventually ended up right at our hotel.  It wasn't actually that easy as we hit rush hour but really who wants to remember that!  We are staying at the Maxwell Hotel (not to be confused with the Max??, really, are there not enough names to go around?)  It’s a funky arty hotel, close to the Space needle and the Pacific Science Center.  Great room, fantastic coffee (this is Seattle after all) and treats in the lobby.  Good pick!

A quick walk up and around the block and we spy the needle.  Walking towards it we come across this totally cool (pun intended) giant fountain.  Music fills the air, the spray perfectly in tune with it.. there are lots kids screaming and having a ball.  Surrounded by a beautiful lawn of green rolling hills and lots of benches, we sat and finally unwound enough to realize we are here!

 A short distance away we walk around the Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum.  Wow!
towards the Space Needle we go.  We walk right in and before you know it are in the super fast elevator to the top.

 Some fantastic views from up here.

 Seattle has a very pretty skyline.

 And some oddities too.... how about ride the ducks ...

 And finally back at the hotel, we are exhausted and hungry.  I think Italian is in order.

 An amazing Art installation of metal beside the Music Project.

To be continued!

Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right

Little darling, it's been a long cold lonely winter
Little darling, it feels like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right 

Little darling, the smiles returning to the faces
Little darling, it seems like years since it's been here

Here comes the sun, here comes the sun
and I say it's all right 

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes... 

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes...
Sun, sun, sun, here it comes... 

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes... 

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes... 

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes... 
Here comes the sun, here comes the sun,
and I say it's all right
It's all right 
~the Beatles

August brings the sun!

a fallen maple leaf with really weird green spots and a few favorite rocks

Finally a nice comfy spot for morning coffee and an afternoon read!

a succulent looking succulent...

with a water diamond in the center

my kite in the nut tree, how pretty.

Hey, isn't the top of this tree going the wrong way?