Double the fun!

Currently in: Cheney, WA near Spokane on our way to Glacier National Park
Then off to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Rocky Mountain National Parks


Wow were we busy in Gig Harbor!  I've been a little overwhelmed organizing the photos and finishing the write ups - but let's get started.
We did a lot of exploring as well as visited with family and friends.  We went into Seattle twice -once with Patty (Johnny's sister) and Hal Sloan and once with Cate and Brian.
Johnny and I took a ferry from Bremerton to Seattle.  It took us a half hour to get to Bremerton and then another hour on the ferry.  But the traffic in Seattle is atrocious, so it was worth it. And we got to see a lot of Puget Sound.

Ferry Boat like the one we took

Marina in Bremerton

There was a cloudy view of Seattle on the way in, but it was sunny on the way back to Bremerton so that's what you see here.

First stop was Pike's Place Market.  It's huge!  It started as a farmer's market in 1907.  It has grown to include restaurants, crafts and specialty stores.  I liked both of these signs.

We had lunch with Patty and Hal at the famous Lowell's - beautiful views of the water.

Of course we had to see the original Starbucks. The line was too long to actually go inside, but I heard that it looks like most of the other Starbucks restaurants although they have retained some  items that were actually salvaged materials when it opened in 1971.

The Pike Place Fish Company was fun.  We spent several minutes watching the fishmongers interact with the crowd.

Joking with the crowd

Throwing fish - far upper right

I love all the people watching and street musicians at these places.

I am throwing in one Pike Market stopping point we saw with Cate and Brian.  I think teaching people how to make chocolate is brilliant.  I would take this class for sure.

Next stop with the Sloans was the Chihuly Glass and Garden Museum.  I was lucky enough to attend a conference years ago where Dale Chihuly gave a presentation on innovation.  It was wonderful to see his work again.  I had many favorites.  These are all made of glass, of course.  And then there are specific sculptures in the garden.

 Once Cate and Brian got to town, we had coffee with the Sloans before heading into Seattle.

After we went to Pike's Market (again), we stopped for lunch.  And a beverage.

Since the weather was beautiful, we decided to check out the Space Needle.  It was built in 1962 when Seattle hosted the World's Fair.

Unfortunately, the Needle is undergoing some renovation including the restaurant so it is closed as well.  We paid a discounted rate, got in the 80 minutes line to wait, and went up.  We still got to see some beautiful views of Seattle (not Mount Ranier), but the line to get in and climbing over construction materials made it difficult.  Maybe not worth it?  Salt in the wound- the sun went away and it started to sprinkle.

Union Lake

Right next to the Needle is  The Pop Culture Museum.  The building itself has wonderful architecture.

We saw a couple of interesting exhibits (Nirvana and Jimi Hendrix Experience) and  listened to some music.  Johnny liked the sections on Fantasy and Horror Movies.  I liked this sculpture.

Wakefield Bar is a local hang out and we were able to mingle with some Seattle folks.   And our bartender, Kyle.

We did a lot of walking around both times we were in Seattle.  It is a great walkable city.  I think we got a good feel for the city, although there is a lot more to see and do here!