Soooo, maybe our few days outside the country has turned us all radical and crazy, but must tell you that the US agent we encountered was a total 180 from the guy who dealt with us when we came thru the other way. He fit every stereotype of the prickly, self-important security dude. Yes, the terrorists will just lay down at your feet because you can't crack a smile - your rude demeanor will surely break them. A job is a job and not everyone has to be happy all the time, but still, ick.
Anyhow, got into Pike Place around 10:15 & looked around. It was pretty low key with not too many throngs until after we'd gone thru and seen most of the market, walked down by the sound and eaten oysters & monkey bread at Etta's.
Drove around Seattle for a while, but felt like we were missing the fun parts. We went for about an hour, but when it started pouring, packed it in for Tacoma.
Apparently, it was just an off day. Tacoma seemed alright, but we reached the Chihuly Glass Museum just as hot-spot lecture was ending. Du-oh! Guess I'd had in mind more stuff like the Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle. While much of the stuff on exhibit was beautiful and must have taken incredible precision and patience to create, it lacked some of the vibrance that I'd hoped to encounter.
After that, we gave up and hit the hotel - which was actually lovely, clean and convenient. Stayed in and watched the first part of Ken Burns' special on the Dust Bowl.
Monday turned out to be the rainiest day of the year in the Pacific North West. Lots of flooding - yay.
Headed down to Portland, OR where we saw a man trying to clear the storm drain outside his corner bar by poking a pool cue down thru the nasty pond and stir around the leaves and who-knows what else. I see ecoli in someone's future.
Anyhow, as I keep reminding us all, if one visits this region in the winter, perhaps one should expect a little precipitation? I'll try to stop whining about the weather now.
Had a nice farm-to-table dinner at Meriwethers and picked up some Tshirts for Mr & a brollie for me (this is sure to encourage dry weather - can you hear the 5-yr-old whining tone?). Then headed back to the room for the ever-cheerful Dustbowl, part deux.
Tuesday was much more satisfying! The rain came and went with patches of beautiful weather in between (haha - you just can't shut me up about the weather). Mr went off to a music shop that had some specialization in something to do with Rickenbacker which is apparently much more interesting if you know anything about bass' He also toured himself around and got some fun photos of the city.
I got together with an old friend Jay. It was a pleasure to see him in his environment, looking so content. What a treat to be taken around touring thru his neighborhood, up into the hills behind and then down to walk by the river. It was fun to hear about all his favorite haunts - his enthusiasm was addictive!
Mr & I reconnected in the early afternoon and reconnoitered some more of the area. We drove back up into the fern-laden, misty trees and hit the Japanese Garden and the Arboretum. Experienced some sun, some rain, some spectacular views and several horrific examples of driving.
After lots of trotting about, left the pickup back at the hotel and worked our way for happy hour on 23rd between Vaughn and Burnside. Really liked the dark & stormy w beet salad at the ultimate hipster place (cool music, decor & nice staff) - 23 Hoyt Still hungry, we split a green curry chicken dinner at the Red Onion - very good Thai.
