This is the totem pole at Pioneer Place in Seattle.
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We arrived in town and met my nephew, Seth, at our hotel. Seth lives in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle and was not working, so we figured that he would want to hang out with us. We were right.
We all headed off to the Seattle Library to check out the coolness of Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas' design. It was wild. It might be a little much for me on a day to day basis, but was wonderful to visit.
Next we wandered down to Pioneer Place and bought tickets for the Underground Tunnel Tour. Well worth it. You learn a ton about the history of the city and I just love that. The guides are funny, too. Wandering about in rat-infested tunnels is best done on a wet Saturday, I say.
Then, we were ready for some culture, so we browsed the Elliot Bay Bookstore, went for Vietnamese Noodle Soup for dinner, and then hit the Seattle International Film Festival...we saw a movie called Mongolian Ping-Pong, made by a novice Chinese director. Interesting slice of life on the Mongolian steppes. Gorgeous photography, too.
Sunday morning, I rousted the kids out of bed by 9 and we went down to Pike Place Market and ate at a restaurant there overlooking the Bay. We spent the next couple of hours checking out the cool stuff at the Market, bought a gigantic snickerdoodle for later, had coffee (saw the 'original' Starbucks and took a photo but the line was about 60 people long...seriously...and had our coffee elsewhere), and then headed out of town.
We took the ferry to Bainbridge Island. The ferry is relatively inexpensive and a very cool way to see the area. We drove to Poulsbo (cute Norwegian village) where I have been loads of times but I knew the kids would love. We ate (outside) at my favorite little cafe there, then wandered among the boats docked in the harbor.
Then, home to Portland. We had a fabulous time. My kids helped out with the driving so it wasn't so exhausting for me. All very, very good.
Sounds like a great trip.
Posted by: John Calhoun | Saturday, July 02, 2005 at 02:56 PM
Oh, you were here! I could have met you downtown! Kim
Posted by: kimc | Sunday, June 19, 2005 at 10:29 PM
It's so interesting and delightful to view Seattle through the "eyes" of a visitor. Like Margaret, there are things I haven't done and I've lived here going on 50 years! (Like the underground tunnel!) I love Poulsbo. (And all those great shops!) JDub and I spent our short but lovely honeymoon there 5-1/2 years ago.
Posted by: Tonya | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 08:57 PM
What a fun trip; I haven't even done some of that. I would like to take the Underground tour some day. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Posted by: Margaret | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 04:35 PM
Sounds like you had a good time! Great photos!
Posted by: Stephanie | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 03:15 PM
OH I am so jealous! You visited my home! :) So glad that you had a fun time~I still haven't seen the new library yet! :)
Posted by: Jenny | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 09:49 AM
wow! the pics are very alive.. (-: i am happy that you got to experience a grand time and that the weather cooperated. i haven't had a vacation for a long time. (-: and i am shocked to see that to orig starbucks has that logo. it's very different here in the Philippines. we are striking a starbucks culture nowadays. haha
and thanks a ton for dropping by my blog. i am very thankful and happy for the comment, i wasn't expecting that! i am absolutely a ruler more inspired now. (-: and sorry some of what's written there are in Tagalog though my mates can also speak English. (-:
sorry for my lengthy posts here. i will certainly look at your works in the coming days! (-: nice day!
Posted by: jonas | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 09:37 AM
Looks like you had a great time...and great weather! That library IS cool.
Posted by: Marilyn | Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at 07:03 AM