Washington State - Seattle

Our next stop was Washington State, mainly Seattle. We did stop off at the Lewis and Clark Visitor and Interpretive Center for an hour to see some displays and to watch a video of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Again, I wish we could have stayed longer and seen more, but it was a long drive to Seattle and we saw all the Astoria sights that same morning before heading north. We arrived into Seattle that night to rain, what did we expect otherwise, it is Seattle. The next day we were on a non-stop mission to see as much as we could in 1 day. Started with a new Underground Seattle tour, that talks about how originally Seattle was built a story lower than it is today, but due to the city burning down and the tides playing havoc with the plumbing system, they rebuilt the city one level higher, but parts of the original underground city still remains. Honestly, it was a major disappointment, we spent 70% of our time above ground, the other tour company that Stephanie and I used years ago was so much better. Anyway, from there we headed on over to Pike Place Market to have lunch. We got to see the first ever Starbucks and "Flying Fish," you know, the fish guys who throw fish around. Then we headed over to the Aquarium, and then on the MOHAI, The Museum of History and Industry, all about Seattle. Again, very interesting, wish I had more time, then next door to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation visitors' center to see what the foundation is up to. Finally, on to the Space Needle for Dinner. A really good dinner, plus you get to watch the city move by as the restaurant moves a full 360 degrees. We finished the night by walking to the Chihuly Garden and Glass, which was one of the neatest museums I have ever seen. You  know the flower like decorations at the top of the ceiling in the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, that is Chihuly. Lastly, we took the monorail back to the hotel. An exhausting but fun filled day.

 

Getting ready to go "Underground"

 First Starbucks, notice it is not a green sign.

 

Throwing fish at Pike Place Market

Giant Octopus at the Aquarium

Seals getting a check over, including getting their teeth brushed.

 

Interesting display at the MOHAI Museum

 Space Needle

 

 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Visitors' Center - This is an amazing thing, sent in the first wave after a disaster.

 

 

This is all blown glass - blows my mind away.

 

Absolutely an amazing thing to see. Probably my most favorite thing so far on the trip. Especially since it was something new.

I did some research and did find out that the beautiful art piece that was hanging in the foyer of the Disney Magic Cruise Ship was also a Chihuly. It is kind of recognizable, so I did wonder, and I was proven correct.