October 5, 2013

Another day headed into the city, but before that, we went to visit a cousin of Tom's that lives in the area.  Social media was definitely what enabled the meeting and a pleasant one at that.  After crossing paths for a couple of hours Tom contemplated a picture or two to share on the blog.  They are great pictures, but credits belongs to another.

 Patti

 Tom

After the visit we headed into the city to visit the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that is right across the street from the Seattle Center.  It is so good to see that someone that has the ability, is committed to giving back.  A lot of what the foundation does is not just to give money, but to give to create self sufficiency.

To learn more...  Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
The most recent to Maine was in 2012 and went to the U of Southern Maine for vaccine development.

Almost across the street is the EMP Museum.  It centers around some of the most significant moments in rock music, science fiction movies and popular culture.  Exhibits include Hendrix, Nirvana, Sci-fi movies and many hands on exhibits on playing and developing music.
Also see EMP Museum

Scary movies...

Guitars

The Captain's chair

 If I only had Courage!

A flaming guitar gets smashed!

After the EMP Museum, we took a walk around the streets down towards the waterfront.

It didn't look much like an instrument...but the music was great.

 Fisher pavilion

 

 Olympic Sculpture Park

 

I don't think these people will be mowing their lawn this weekend.

 

Mt. Rainier looks closer than ever.

Kids of all ages up on the roof...

To each his own.

A father and his son!

Suppertime, very reasonable and very busy.

 

No we didn't have a meal here.  Lunch, mandatory $25/person...Dinner, mandatory $35/person.
Rides to the top...$17 each. Tom gave Alice a piece of chocolate that was left on the pillow last night.

And finally,  Where's Grammie...in the EMP Museum

October 4, 2013

Today we planned to go into Seattle to see some of the sights.  We will be in the city for 3 days so we decided not to see everything today.

Before we get started with that, Tom would like to say that the 36 miles we drove into the city was pleasant.  We didn't start until 9:30 which made it easier but there was something strange going on.  The cars were traveling a consistent 60-65 mph on I-5.  If they wanted to change lanes, some how they got the red lights on the back of their vehicle to blink before they changed lanes.  Imagine that.  There was one instance where a car was driving faster than the rest and swerved over a couple of lanes.  The car did have IOWA plates on the car (Idiots Out Wandering Around).

We finally parked the car $20/day and rode up and down the elevator a couple of times before we got it right.  Can't imagine what will happen when we get old.

We decided to first go up to the Columbia Center Sky View to see what we could see.  The building is nearly1000 feet tall and is the highest building in the city.  Looking Northwest you could easily see the Olympic NP range looking out over Elliott Bay.

Looking North, the easily identifiable Space Needle up in Seattle Center where the 1964 World's Fair was held.  It is around 300 feet lower that the Sky View Tower.

Looking Northeast is Mount Baker at 10, 781 feet.  In 1999-2000 it collected 1140 inches of snow.

Centurylink stadium in front and the  Safeco Baseball field in behind.

 Mount Rainier off in the distance, clearly viewable.  Even though it is clearly visible, this picture was digitally enhanced to make it even clearer.

Coming back down to ground level we took some other pics around the city on to the next stop.  A little art work down by the waterfront.

The Underground tour is about the early city of Seattle during the 1860's and includes a humorous story about an invention of Thomas A Crapper.  The link Underground Tour history adds a little history.

 Mount Rainier standing at 14, 441 feet is the highest in the Cascade Range.  It is home to 36 square miles of glaciers and snowfields.

The Wheel of Fortune (will you fall off or not) also down by the waterfront. The Seattle Great Wheel.

At the end of the day we went to Pike's Place Market.

Broccoli Romanesco had an unusual shape.   Coming soon to a store near You????????

Colorful peppers varying from hot to hotter.

 Freshly made beer at Pike's Pub.

 At first glance, this looked like a bronze statue just outside the bookstore...until you put some money in the jug.  She would then blow you a kiss or pose for a picture.  Pretty Blue Eyes.

 Entrance to Pike's Farmers Market

 Ok, so not everything was from the garden.

 There were a lot of men who were grabbing up arrangements of flowers towards the end of the day. $5

 Plenty of fresh fish.  Even saw a couple tossing fish like in a commercial.

 The front window of Rocky Mountain Chocolate store.  Sure wish we were back in Maine now so we wouldn't have to eat the chocolate off the apples.

 And finally,  Grammie.  The caption on the bear..."Nobody knows the Truffles I've seen"

Tom thinks we have been away too long.  "You mean the Yankees aren't in the playoffs?"

October 3, 2013

Left Spokane shortly after 8 this morning and were looking forward to getting back up into the mountains.

We thought about stopping here this morning but before we left the room, Tom noticed that one of the holes on the end of his belt "just disappeared".

Along the way when traveling you sometimes see unusual traffic signs.  This one could be back in Maine.  Route 2  East...Newport.

For a while, there wasn't much to look at but occasionally you could tell where the farm houses were.  Somewhere in the middle of a few trees.

Believe it or not, the farmers were still working the fields in hopes of getting a little more growing in.

 Some of the mountaintops in the Snoqualmie mountain range.

Where's George....we found him/it.

The beautiful Columbia River.

Tom thought that it would be best to take a picture of this National Park feature before Johnny Reb decides to turn out the lights.

 Here we are without any skis.

On the way to Everett, a little north of Seattle we had extra time and decided to take the Boeing Tour.  Although electronic devices were not allowed in the assembly plant, we could take pictures from across the runway.

These are some of the completed planes that are either waiting for test runs or for delivery to the new owners.

 Once assembly is done, they go to the paint buildings for the finish painting.

These are two of the 4 Dreamlifter models that are used for transporting supplies from Japan, Italy, Kansas and North Carolina.

The Worlds largest assembly plant by volume.  4.3 million cubic feet.

For more info, go to

Boeing

October 2, 2013

We packed up our belongings, loaded up the van and made ready to hit the road.

But before we did, we took a morning walk along what was the longest boardwalk back in 1985.

One last view of the resort from the town park.

The back of this boat says it all!

We did finally find Grammie before we left town!

To read more, go to

Mudge and Millie 

We are off to Spokane to visit one of Tom's cousins.  The traveling Vietnam Wall will also be  there for the next 3 days.  No delays.

October 1, 2013

Last full day in Coeur D'alene.  After Tom played golf again, we went back over to the golf course area for lunch and to see what else was available.

This time Tom got a little closer to the hole off the tee (185 yards) and made par.

The wildlife didn't seem as wild.  They were having a good time feeding in the flower patch.

 Down by the lake is a wonderful pool that looked likes it needed to be used.  The locals claim that the weather is usually warmer than these last 3 days.  (about 55 tops).

 They have plenty of well kept Juniper bushes.

 About time to move the green again.  Tom's playing partner gave up 2 balls to the water gods.

 The view from the Floating Green Restaurant was great.  What looks like a barrier in the water is an oil slick barrier to protect the 14th green.

 A view of the sunset from our room.

 A sign in town on the way back to the resort. 

 The streets are well kept and they use lots of flowers in making the downtown look beautiful.

Oh, and one last thing, there are business people coming here for conferences.  For business people, they just up and leave, kinda like teachers do but in the case of teachers, they can't be trusted.  They need a certificate to prove to someone that they actually attended.  Here is mine.

Tomorrow, a late checkout and then on to Spokane.