Gone West 8

Gone West 8

Seattle 3-6 June

The ferry arrived into Edmons and we travelled the short distance into Seattle. Passing the Space needle that had been built as part of the 1962.

We were of course, far too early so we went shopping, Pulling into a likely looking shopping precinct we headed for the hardware store, we needed some gas cartridges for the cookers, this meant we had to go up every isle, perusing the wares (they had nothing to do with gas cartridges, but I love perusing hardware stores). Linda actually found a new hat that suited her better than her old one, so now she was set to take on the bears.We also popped a food supermarket,just to have a nosy around, we found some authentic (sic) German Bratwurst.

We then plumbed Norbert’s address into the Sat-nav and headed to their place, again arriving far too early. Norbert and Daniela arrived and hugs and kisses all round, we got our bags out Jucy and that would be the last we used her for the next couple of days.

We chatted for a while, mainly about Norbert and Linda’s ex-work and ex-work colleagues and the children of Norbert and Daniela. It was decided that we would go out for an meal that evening, Norbert suggested a Mexican restaurant that he thought was quite good. So we piled into Norbert’s VW and headed into town.

The Mexican restaurant was called Cactus and I must confess the food was really good, but not only that the service was immaculate, attentive and efficient as we had become to expect. That was a super choice Norbert.

A very busy Friday evening, almost every table filled.

We discussed what we would do the next day. Norbert said that there was a very good exhibition at the Expo site, by a chap called Chihuli, he is a glass sculptor and it was a must to see when visiting Seattle. We would also visit the expo site in general and take a trip on the monorail. That was before we went to the famous Seattle Market to visit the fish, flower and vegetable stalls and may be catch a flying fish? 

We got back to Norbert’s but not before we stopped off at the lake in front of the Boeing factory, the large Hanger doors were open and we could see some of the aircraft being worked on.

We drank a couple of wines and then it was time for bed it had been a long day.

Next morning up, showered, fed with a fantastic breakfast prepared by Daniela and Norbert, then once again out into the sunshine and into Norbert’s car.

Norbert and Danielas wonderful house

We headed into town and first to the Chihuli exhibition via the Monorail (German built I hasten to add) built for the 1962 Expo and still a great attraction.

The Monorail only travels the one stop from the centre of downtown Seattle into the Expo site, the exit station is itself a wonderful piece of colourful architecture. 

You exit from the station and a short walk brings you to the exhibition halls and gardens. I am a great admirer of glass art, this is some of the best I have ever seen, and here is a small sample of the exhibits and features inside and out. I will leave you to form your own opinion.

We then hopped onto the Monorail once again and got off at the stop in the centre of town, we walked down the hill to the Markets and the fish, fish, fish.

But not before we popped into a couple of foody and kitchen shops to inspect and sample their wares.

I have seen large salmon but here was some of the largest I have ever seen, in fact the last time I had ever seen the likes was 42 years ago in Vancouver BC just across the border in Canada.

The flowers and their amazing array of colour were a beauty to behold, absolutely fantastic.

We stopped to see the amazing flying fish display, you buy a fish and the seller throws it through the air into the waiting hands of the chap that will wrap it for you. (If no one is buying they will also do it as part of a show to attract customers).

If you are a lover of fish and shell fish you will be in your element, I certainly was.

After having our fill we headed back to the Parkhouse and then back home for an afternoon rest, while Daniela and Norbert got the evening meal ready.

We dined like kings (and queens) it was a wonderful meal as we sat and looked across at the Olympic Mountains.

After dinner we went and sat on their balcony, and watched a wonderful sun set over the mountains, a deer popped into next doors garden, it didn’t have a care in the world and neither did we. a fantastic end to a fantastic day.

Next day we would be setting off South towards the Oregon border again but this time our trail would be heading south towards one of our pre-planned destinations, Crater Lake.

Norbert had planned and booked a Brunch in the Space Tower restaurant, so we just had a coffee, packed Jucy so that we could go as soon as we returned and headed into town. Norbert parked up, well a parking assistant did. On arrival you just hand your keys to a parker and he does it for you. Norbert registered and we got into the lift and were zoomed up to the restaurant.

The restaurant at not quite the top (there is a viewing platform above), it turns at 1 RPH (1 revolution per hour), the motor that turns this colossus has only a power rating of 1HP.

We were shown to our table situated with a view that gave us a fantastic view across Seattle and to the mountains that surround it. It also afforded us a wonderful view of Mount Rainer whose direction we would be heading.

Three had the starter of Razor Clam Chowder, while Norbert had the Granola.

This was followed by the steak for me.

Smoked Salmon Huevos Rancheros and the girls had a Dungeness crab and Gruyere filled omelette each and when I say filled, it meant what it said, it was bursting at the seams.

During the meal we even got buzzed by a seaplane a couple of times, I would have thought that after 9/11 they would have been more careful with that type of thing.

We all finished off with Berries and cream with a shard of chocolate bark, all wonderful and a very nice ending to out short visit to Seattle.

Another photo of Norbert and Linda and then up to the observation Platform to take few more Photographs, just to finish off our visit.

It's a long way down!

We descended the lift (elevator) once again, got into Norbert’s car and headed back to Renton and picked up Jucy who had been waiting at the hitching rail patiently for us, we started her up said our fond fair thee wells and headed South in the direction of Mount Rainer.

A very big thank you for a smashing time in Seattle goes to both of you Daniela and Norbert, hope we will see you in Hamburg later in the year.