Back to the Coast -- and seafood!

Thursday – Kalispell MT to Seattle WA

Well, we’ve made it to Seattle!  As Robert says:  SEAFOOD!  Up this morning at the usual time, and down for breakfast about 6 a.m.  Again, an excellent breakfast, and I was even able to resist what looked to be wonderful cinnamon rolls.  Packed everything up and into the car about 6:30 for our three state day – Montana, across Idaho and Washington!  (A quick comment:  The BW in Kalispell had some wonderful decorations – bushes and trees completely wrapped in lights!  They reminded me of the jeweled trees and branches I brought home from Okinawa!)  

We had a lovely day for a drive – cool-ish, and a bit cloudy, until we ran into a couple truly torrential rain storms!  Very exciting!  We debated taking Highway 2 vs. the I90 freeway, and decided that with the possibility of inclement weather, that we would stick with the freeway.  A good thing, we think, as apparently most of Highway 2 is two lanes only, which would have definitely made for difficult driving during the rainstorms!  The scenery the entire drive was fantastic – lots of water and pine trees, and beautiful stretches of mountains; we took a few pictures!

Got into Seattle around 2 p.m. and found our way to the Silver Cloud – Lake Union hotel where we’ll be for the next two nights.  Really lovely hotel, and WOW, what a room with a view!  We’re in room 717, which is on their top floor, and we have French doors opening up directly to the view of Lake Union!  It’s GREAT!  We can also see the Space Needle, where we’ll be heading tomorrow to see the Chihuly glass museum.  Our room – suite, actually – has a full bathroom with two sinks (makes it easy!), another room with a huge king-size bed, big flat screen TV, chest of drawers, etc.  This then opens up into a large living room with wet bar – microwave and fridge with a couch/sofa bed, easy chair, coffee table as well as a large desk…oh!  And of course, yet another large flat-screen TV!  (What would two people do without a TV each?!)

Settled in and got organized, and then decided to take the hotel’s free shuttle service to the Pike Market.  Quick and fairly efficient, we were dropped off right in front of the market – and right in front of a cupcake shop…oh, boy…we had a nice walk through the market – what total and complete chaos!  And there are just WAY too many options as to what to do/eat, etc.!  As Robert says, if we lived in Seattle, we would be at the market on a daily basis!  Everything looked so fresh and good!  After walking through most of the shops, we decided to find a place for an early dinner. 

 

Decided on Etta’s, which is just across the street from the market itself.  We were actually in time to take advantage of their “crabby” hour, which runs from 3 – 5 p.m.  We both ordered the same things – bowls of clam chowder and crab salad with avocado, grapefruit sections and Bibb lettuce.  FABULOUS!  Honesty think that was the best clam chowder either of us have ever had!  It was very thick and rich, and was topped with bacon shavings – YUM!  Robert forgot to take a picture, so, for once, he took the “after” picture…sorry!!  Crab was amazing – they made a citrus-y dressing which we loved … absolutely no survivors there!  As this was my birthday dinner, I got a free dessert – their warm peach melba with peach and cream ice cream…R had their crab apple dessert, hold the ice cream.  During dinner, the storm which is moving through the area hit with incredible force!  One minute we could see across the bay, and the next, NOTHING – and the rain came down in absolute sheets!  We figured we were going to be fixtures at the restaurant until it stopped, but it actually didn’t take long at all!

Walked back to the shuttle drop-off spot and caught the van back to the hotel.  A GREAT deal of traffic as the Seattle Seahawks are playing the Raiders tonight – that brought out ALL the crazies! 

We are now settled in for the night, watching sea planes take off from the bay across the street!  What fun!  Our plan is to head to the Chihuly Garden and Glass Museum tomorrow at the Seattle Center, and then pick up Mom when she comes into Sea-Tac in the late afternoon.  Not sure what else we’ll find to do, but I’m sure we’ll think of something!!

More later!

m

xxx