Sleepless in Seattle

Before heading back to Seattle, I spent two wonderful days in Bellingham, Washington visiting my dear "art pen pal" Patti - our first meeting!!! We were introduced by a mutual friend over a year ago and have corresponded via snail mail and e-mail, sharing our love of art, music, needlework, the written word, and many other creative interests.

Patti had this fantastic gift awaiting in her studio - a magnificent kimono style jacket she had made for me. The fabric is an elegant paisley lined with black raw silk (both recycled vintage), with decorative tassels and beaded cords at the closure. One of her great tags was hanging from the jacket - wow, I was so thrilled with such a beautiful gift and couldn't resist wearing it out to dinner immediately.

Seattle was the last leg of this great Northwest trip.

Known as one of the most walkable cities in the country (warning - lots of steep hills, but you'll find many wonderful restaurants to enjoy after working off all those calories!) Seattle is a fun place.
It would be easy to go without sleep as there's so much to see and do. Guess this would be the best hotel buy - wish we'd seen it prior to checking in at the waterfront Marriott which cost a few dollars more!!!!!!

Just a stone's throw from what was actually our great hotel, was the famous Pike Place Market, the jewel in the city. Anyone who's visited here will be familiar with slightly fishy "theatre" performed each day at the largest fish market - throwing the huge fish, with accompanying hollers and yells, to fill customers' orders. Tourists line up ten deep to view this ongoing entertainment - kids, young and old, stifle silly giggles while watching huge salmon and grouper being tossed about in the air.
Constructed for Seattle's 1962 World's Fair, the Space Needle has become the city's international icon. A 41-second elevator ride takes you 520 feet to the observation deck. The SkyCity restaurant at the top revolves 360 degrees while you dine. The day we ascended the Space Needle the weather was perfect for viewing Mt. Ranier to the South (my photo) and to the North, Mt. Baker was also clearly visible to the eye - this only occurs about 50 days of the year according to the guide. She told us we had picked a perfect day for these amazing views.

..............................goodbye fabulous Northwest USA and British Columbia, you certainly make one's heart sing with your wonderful scenery and nice people. I hope to return very soon.