Week 23 - Seattle, Washington (Emerald City)

Hello Family and Friends,

To my east coast people, Seattle is just as weird as you think. We saw a man walking down the street with essentially a bathing suit and for hair, he was wearing a purple wig. We also had someone yell "beautiful humans first" as they stopped traffic at a green light to let us cross the road. We were so confused. However, you can't escape the beauty that surrounds the city. Everywhere you looked, you could just see Mt. Rainier chilling in the distance. It was spectacular to see the mountain rising out of the city.

This photo was taken from the top of the Space Needle. Most of the time, my little phone camera couldn't focus on Mt. Rainier even though I could see it clearly.

We were met with great weather in Seattle. It was sunny and warm the whole weekend without even a hint of rain. We explored Pike Place Market. This is my second trip to the market and after learning about the history of it, I am a little less enamored with it. The market was originally owned by Japanese Americans exclusively as a way to sell fresh produce and seafood directly to consumers. However, during WWII they put all Japanese Americans in internment camps. Today, not one of the businesses in Pike Place is owned by a Japanese-American. It's a sordid history and that removes some of the awe of the market.

All that remains of Japanese-Americans in the Pike Place Market is a sign.

Right at the end of the market, we found the "Gum Wall". It is exactly what it sounds like, a wall that people have stuck their gum on. It was disgusting.

It may be called a gum wall, but it was more of a gum alley. I took my photo and got out of there.

We also did something that I have always wanted to do, a caricature. Our artist, Axel, did a great job. I am absolutely obsessed!

Axel, Sarah, Danielle, Atlas and Brett holding our personal portrait

We then went up into the Space Needle. It included a rotating glass floor. We convinced Brett, who is afraid of heights, to walk on the rotating glass floor. Atlas and I were jumping.

The Seattle skyline from the top of the Space Needle.

It was a little breezy 605 feet in the air. Atlas stuck is arms inside of his overall to stay warm..

We are not sure what Atlas is getting from this trip, but one thing is sure; he is getting on the water. We took a boat tour so that we could experience the city from the water.

Seattle skyline from the water.

We then took a ferry boat ride to Bainbridge Island which is the birthplace of Pickleball.

More boats and more water.

Atlas loves water. In our hotel there was a large water feature and before Atlas could see it, he heard it and said, "Agua!" Anytime we walk by any water feature, Atlas is trying to touch it. Most of the time I let him.

Atlas looking at the water from the window of the ferry.

Seattle is where we say goodbye to our longest travel companion, Sarah. We have so enjoyed having her. It was wonderful to add a fourth to our little band of travelers. She definitely kept us laughing. It filled me with so much joy to see her and Atlas grow closer. She definitely treats him like a little brother. Sarah, we miss you already; Atlas has already asked for you twice.

Back to the parks, next Olympic!