Seattle

Blog 6 Roadtrip 2010

From Coeur d’Alene we traveled to Seattle. Staying outside of the city in Bellevue was a stroke of genius. Why? Because the traffic and narrow streets are not really conducive to 50 feet of RV!!!! While in Seattle, we experienced the sights that many tourists do. Pike Place Market, the waterfront, the Underground Tour, the Navy ship tour. . .what? not the Space Needle?!! Well, no. But not because we didn’t want to. Ok, because we didn’t want to. But not for the reasons you may be thinking. About 15 years ago, Normie and I were in Seattle, again, while I was on business doing my “chores”. We ventured up to the top of the Space Needle quite late on a chilly, crisp evening. It was almost deserted up there and we could see forever. Whilst taking in the serenity and beauty of the city and the Puget Sound, I stood behind my bride and wrapped my arms around her, thoroughly enjoying this romantic moment that we were sharing in silence and tranquility. Then, as if it were planned in a movie script, it began to snow! Flakes were quietly falling onto our heads and sticking to our eyelashes. It is a moment we consider to be one of our most memorable and romantic in the 40 years we have shared on this planet. So tell me, would you have gone up again on a future trip? I thought not.

A highlight of our visit was experiencing our first Duck Tour. We have seen them in many places we have visited, but have never gone. I think we missed out on something. Thanks to Dave and Jody Wilson for their encouragement! The tour is just like a bus tour of the city, only it takes place on an amphibious vehicle and always includes turning your vehicle from a “bus” into a “boat”. It is also jam-packed with information and, more importantly, humor. The drivers have an array of hats that they change into, and out of, all the while talking and playing humorous sound bites of music that coincide with each location to keep your interest. Suffice it to say that we will be taking future Duck Tours in upcoming cities we visit. We suggest that if you do find one, make it the first attraction you visit, as it will give you a great “lay of the land” on what to visit next during your stay.

While in Seattle, we heard about a little known attraction. Well, maybe not attraction, but a place worth visiting. We found out that we were just a few miles from Jimi Hendrix’s final resting place. We ventured out to the Greenwood Cemetery and found the memorial. See Photos of our “experience”.

The Seattle Art Museum was cool too. Lots of paintings, native art and two special installations. One of Andy Warhol’s works, and the other based around local rock legend, Kurt Cobain of the band Nirvana. Displayed, were both Kurt’s art and the art of others having to do with him or about him. “Unique” would be a good word to insert here.

Here we go with Serendipity yet again. One of the biggest weekends in Seattle is “Seafair”. Actually it is a month long, culminating in an air show by the Blue Angels, Hydoplane Boat races on Lake Washington and visits from Navy ships who open their doors during the last weekend for public tours. We were there for all of them! Great weekend!

The Seattle Underground Tour is another very unique historical aspect of this city. It is unlike other cities merely because of the way it came about. Suffice it to say, “also worth the price of admission”. Seattle Underground Tour History

One day we drove to Bainbridge Island across the Sound from the city. We found a little public park, and when I say “little”, I mean LITTLE! It was a small piece of property bequeathed to the City of Bainbridge in a land trust. It sat between beautiful waterfront multi-million dollar homes right on the water looking directly back at Seattle. We sat enjoying our own little piece of heaven uninterrupted for an entire bottle of champagne! Awesome! Another great romantic memory made.

One of my favorite glass artists is Dale Chihuly. You might have seen some of his work if you have ever been to the Bellagio in Vegas. Overhead and underfoot. Well he was commissioned to decorate a bridge in downtown Tacoma a few years back. We thoroughly enjoyed seeing his works displayed in various arrays. Tacoma is a sleepy port city that is making great strides in establishing an art resurgence. So far, so good. I, for one, hope they succeed.

All in all, Seattle, and all it has to offer, is a great place to visit. . .we look forward to coming back to explore the surrounds on our way back through from the north.