Sunday, July 13, 2008
Seattle Overview
Because I wasn't able to keep up with our trip as it happened, I've put together a short overview. It was a great trip, and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. I think that I'm about ready to sleep in my own bed, and ready to be at home for a couple of days and eat some homemade food. Isn't that how a good vacation is supposed to go? Enjoy yourself to the fullest and then enjoy heading home?
Friday July 4th
Arrived in Seattle, visited REI, ate a yummy trout salad, walked around the Space Needle, found a place to chill in Olympic Sculpture Park, the guys grabbed Subway and we watched the fireworks over the bay. Michael drove us back to Whidbey as David fought sleep and I became comatose in the backseat.
Saturday, July 5th
Slept late, visited Michael's base, walked along the beach and looked at the crazy rocks and low tide, had coffee with Carrie and Mark, grocery shopped in Oak Harbor, grilled burgers, made guacamole and played Guitar Hero.
Sunday and Monday, July 6th-7th
Headed back into Seattle, stopped at Deception Pass - hiked and took pictures, got to Seattle and had crab, oysters, and shrimp at the Crab Pot on the Pier 57. Got up the next morning and had breakfast at Pike's Place Market and hung out there for a couple hours, Michael and David watched a movie that afternoon and I shopped, met back up for lunch at PF Changs and headed to the Space Needle to see Seattle from above. Took pictures and headed back to Whidbey.
Tuesday July 8th
Slept late, piddled around the house, went and ate fish and chips the Rock Fish Grill in Anacortes (the best fish and chips on the trip), visited a old hardware store, checked on the ferry for the next day and headed back to Whidbey for some yummy Papa Murphey's pizza and a movie at Michael's.
Wednesday, July 9th
Got up dang early, caught the ferry from Anacortes to Sidney, BC and got hooked on Hearts on the way over. Headed to the Buchart Gardens, grabbed an early lunch and enjoyed the gardens. Found and checked into our hotel in Victoria, had a cup of coffee/tea overlooking the harbor, walked around the downtown district and had some yummy food at The Keg, a steak and seafood restaurant. Played more hearts while watching the Speed channel in our awesome hotel room.
Thursday, July 10th
Got up, grabbed the Big Bus tour and did some sightseeing of Victoria. Visited Craigdarach Castle, a huge house built to be a castle in the early 1900 that has since been a military hospital, a college, and now a museum of sorts. Continued the tour to the edge of the island and back into the city for some british fish and chips (not nearly as good as the ones at Rock Fish). Did a bit of shopping and headed out to catch the ferry back. Ate leftover pizza and Michael and David put new memory in Michael's computer.
Friday, July 11th
Got up at a decent time, packed up and headed into Seattle to grab a couple of iPhones and see the Boeing Factory if we had time. As you could tell from the previous post, there wasn't any time for the factory, so after they got the phones and I shopped, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory and headed to the hotel. The guys kept playing with the iPhones, and we rented a movie on TV. Michael was out in the first 5 minutes...not kidding. 
Saturday, July 12th
I got up and headed back out to Pikes Place market for a couple of things. By about 11am, the market was so crowded it was hard to walk. I headed back after grabbing a bouquet of flowers to take home (yes, you can think I'm crazy - David does) and met the guys as they were headed out of the hotel. We grabbed some food on the way to the airport...and here we sit!
Lots of fun, so much fun that I'm pooped. It was great to get to hang out with Michael, to see Care and Mark, to get to visit Canada (never been before), and to enjoy the weather. It's warmer today - didn't put on my jacket once - hot by Seattle standards, but the high is still 20+ degrees cooler than Austin. I told David that I felt like a weenie having to wear a jacket all week when everyone else was in tanks and shorts, but then I realized that they'd never be able to bear the Texas heat - and I felt better.
Hope you've enjoyed hearing about our trip - we enjoyed having it! Love to all of you!