Seeing Seattle Solo!

I knew I would do at least one day in downtown Seattle by myself at some point during this trip.  So when Josh told me Monday that he would be working at the facility south of Seattle on Tuesday, I knew that was a perfect opportunity to see the city.....and avoid dealing with parking a car and that expense.  We left our hotel early yesterday morning.....like super dark early.  A long drive in the heavy commuter traffic is all that stood between me and a day in the city!

 Here I am Tuesday morning in front of the original, yet second branch of Starbucks at Pike Place Market

I am hardly familiar with downtown Seattle, but did have some grasp on the Pike Place Market area so Josh dropped me off there.  It was still dark for about another hour at that point.  So I decided to take a brisk walk up Pike Street.  It seemed very safe because there were many business professionals (at least that's what they looked like) out, so I just tagged along before I crossed the road to turn around and headed back down the street.  Along the way I made sure to check out some store fronts and made a mental note to return during opening hours.  My blood was pumping and I was ready to tackle the day in Seattle.  I walked back to Pike Place Market and walked around for a while.  It was interesting how different the atmosphere was from when we were there just two days prior on Sunday morning.  Today was a regular business day with construction repairs being done, fewer people out and about, the market had fewer vendors and was not set-up until mid-morning, whereas on Sunday the place was booming and cameras were flashing capturing touristy moments.

Before I set out on my solo adventure, I knew I had to get my game face on.  After all, I didn't want to look lost or misplaced.  So I followed a city dweller stereotype and displayed an unemotional expression, didn't make eye contact with others, walked briskly ahead (even when I didn't have a clue where in the world I was!), never spoke, and attempted to blend in.  For the most part, it seemed to work.  I was actually mistaken for a student more than once....that could have been because I was carrying a backpack and dressed casually.  Or it could have been the zit on my chin that I noticed in photos after downloading them.  Niiiiiiiiice.  Regardless, my disguise worked until I had to communicate with someone.  I did limit my communications to people who were working the tourist sites and store employees.....no chit-chat with strangers, which is actually kind of hard for me.

After my long morning walk, I settled at a newer Starbucks (with better seating) just across the street from Pike Place.  I made my order and checked out some sightseeing brochures and our travel book.  After a while, I noticed the sun was peaking outside, so I decided to get out and take some pictures.  Sun in Seattle is rare, particularly in January!  I wasn't going to miss this moment!

 

At some point I descended a long stairway to the waterfront where I walked along Alaskan Way for a while.

I found another long staircase to take me from the waterfront back up to the city.  Not really sure where I was since I spent my day exploring and pretty much walking aimlessly.  I enjoy not having a schedule or list, so I was completely content to wander around.  I ended up walking around Pioneer Square and to Qwest Field, the home field of NFL's Seattle Seahawks.

 
And then I went on to tour the Klondike Goldrush Museum where I did not strike big.

I was surprised at this quaint little respite area in the middle of the city.....a park commemorating UPS's 100 years.  Apparently UPS began in a little underground office near this very place!

Then I made my way to the 73rd floor of Columbia Center for views like these:

On my way to the shopping area around Pike Street & 5th Avenue, I stopped into the Seattle Public Library.  With the idea of blending in I didn't take any pictures, so please trust me when I say that this place was awesome!  It was HUGE and people were everywhere!  The colors and architecture were also awesome!  

After a short time shopping, I heard from Josh who was on his way to meet up with me.  I walked back to the waterfront where we were meeting at Elliott's for a yummy oyster [early] dinner!  When we were leaving our late afternoon meal Josh noticed that the sky was clear and we had breathtaking views of the Olympic Range.  Absolutely gorgeous!!  We looked in awe for a while and enjoyed the view.  I was so thankful for a beautiful day in Seattle....with no rain!  :)

 

And the pretty view continued as we drove north to the town of Mukilteo where we're residing:

 

 

With love from Washington State!

I have lots to catch up on and will be writing more soon, especially our trip to Vancouver, B.C. & downtown Seattle. But for now here I am in front of the original Starbucks at Pike Place. More later! With love from Seattle! Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Birthday Re-cap, Seattle Sunshine, Darius Rucker, Etc.

My sweet hubby officially became an old man yesterday!  Just kidding!  He's not old.  And besides, age is just a number.....right?!!  Despite the fact that he had a really long work day yesterday, beginning while it was still dark outside and not finishing until it was pretty much dark again, he says he had a great birthday!  He's so funny, I just love him.  Bless his heart, he didn't even get a lunch break yesterday.  Originally the plans were for me to pick him up for lunch and we would dine together.  I had thought of taking him to his favorite.....Mexican.....and this time I hoped I could find a place where my sweetie could get some cheese dip.  Such an easy guy to please.....he really is.  Anyway, his work calls for flexibility and I am 100% supportive of that.  So we altered plans and instead he got some downtown Seattle seafood restaurant recommendations.  He decided on Elliott's Oyster House for birthday dinner.  On the water and serving great seafood, we enjoyed a birthday date night together.

 

 
If you haven't been to Seattle before, let me be the first to tell that it's a big darn city! When we drove by a few days ago we had no idea just how extreme the elevation was!  That is until we were wheeling the Charger around last night downtown.  The steepness of the hills as well as the mountains surrounding gave me a feel of a San Francisco & Denver mix.  Huge city for sure!  Still much more to explore!

Yesterday was a perfect day for Josh's birthday  because it was beautiful and sunny!  Seriously, it was not rainy whatsoever......our only non-rain day so far!  We welcomed the Seattle sunshine and enjoyed a little vitamin D!  :)

This picture shows the Dreamlifter opened up to either load or unload cargo.  There are only a few of them and they transport parts for the 787 plane.  We see the Dreamlifters frequently in Charleston as well, but this was my first time to see one open.  Josh has been inside one before, but this is as close as I can get!

This was yesterday morning at 7AM -- notice it is still pitch black!  At this point I had already taken Josh to work and had been back for a little while when it hit me how dark it was!

 Despite the dark morning, yesterday was so beautiful!

 I had the opportunity to see (and hear!) many planes taking off and landing!

 We can see these snow-capped mountains from our room's window!

 This is random, but I thought it was quite funny!  I was in TJMaxx a couple of days ago and this was a display hanging in the men's section.  Hmmmm......not sure why that was there, but glad to see some Wildcat representation in the Pacific Northwest! :)

And even more random......last Friday in Charleston I was out running errands.  I was picking some things up at a store in the mall and I saw a man and his young son walking and singing to whatever song was playing in the store.  Seriously, they were only five feet from me.  From the moment I first looked at this man, I knew without a doubt that it was Darius Rucker.

 Photo

Every ounce of my being wanted to run up to him and tell him how much I like his music, get his autograph, enjoy some Charleston and country music chit-chat, and snap a pic of us together with my camera phone before we parted ways.  But I showed some major self-control.  You see, Charleston is his hometown.....I already knew that.  Which means if he's in Charleston, he's probably enjoying some time off......time off with family and away from the "celebrity stuff."  So even though I pretty much knew I may never have an opportunity to see him so up close and personal again, I just couldn't bring myself to become "that girl."  A crazy star-struck fan.  After all, celebrities are people too.....we all put our pants on the same way, right?!

So without saying a word or causing a scene, I watched Darius and his cute little boy walk together out of the store.  And I showed restraint until the very last couple of seconds before they pulled away.  That's when I did pull out my camera phone to get this low-quality, totally paparazzi style shot.  That's right.  This picture-taking guru turned down a chance at a real celebrity photo for the sake of this musician and the time he was enjoying with his son.  It was sweet watching them hang out together.

Although next time, I'll probably not be so self-controlled.  I'm at least asking for a real picture next time.  Next time.  I keep telling myself there will be a next time.  We're practically neighbors after all! :)