What an adventure it was even to get to Seattle. First our original flight was changed due to the east coast weather; Second Marissa had a melt-down when I was saying bye to her, she thought I was leaving for a week, but assured her it was only 3 days and she ok'd my absence :) Third, we missed our flight because of traffic on highway 4, Fourth Brian Mr. Traveler was guaranteed a seat on the next flight (which we waited at the airport 4 hours to depart), not only a seat but first class seating. me oh no - I was just some fool waiting desperately to board stand-by. But luck would have it (I'm almost sure it was the heads-up penny I found near the departing gate) and Brian Mr. Sweetheart let me sit in first class while he sat in coach!
Here is Brian drinking a Manhattan at the San Francisco airport while we wait for our flight to Seattle....who knew 2 Manhattans would cost us $40.00!! GOOD GRIEF - at least my glass of wine on the plane was free - first class privileges rock!
Once we arrive to Seattle we were surprised by snow - just patches here and there on the ground, but who knew?! I figured it would be cold, and rain, but snow? Guess my choice of wedge heels wasn't the best idea. Nonetheless, we boarded the SoundTransit subway to go to downtown Seattle where Brian's Uncle Shane and [Uncle] George were waiting at a fabulous mexican restaurant to welcome us to Seattle!
Not even 2 pint size margaritas could warm-up a body that night in Seattle! Shane and George drove us to a gorgeous view of Seattle at Kerry Viewpoint Park, Queen Anne Hill, but we quickly shivered our way back to the car.
Afterwards Shane and George dropped us off at the hotel, leaving Brian and I to get into mischief and brave the ice temperatures indulging in a night cap. Brian heard of a bar named Bathtub Gin & Co., in Belltown [Seattle], a sort of speakeasy [secret] style bar and hidden in an alleyway. A lonely unaddressed door, but inside there is a tiny bar up a flight of stairs with about 6 bar stools and a small table for two or three. Dark woods, warm light. It's like drinking in someones lush study. Down stairs is ulta wine cellar-esque with a small front room with about 5 tables, a bathtub, of course and a back room with comfy couches and a few tables that seemed like it was more meant for a large group or two smaller ones. We enjoyed a few of their classics, I drank a LADY LUCK, while Brian drank a BROWN DERBY. We ended our night cozy at our modern hotel, Hyatt at Olive 8, in downtown Seattle.
At 9 am we walked to a Starbucks (not the original one, that was at the end of the tour) nearby the Public Market Center, a 103-year old culinary landmark, and the nation's oldest continually operating farmer's market, to meet our tour group for a 3 hour Savor Seattle Pike Place Market food and cultural tour. Our guide provided us all with a sample of Starbucks peppermint mocha to enjoy during his introduction and handed us a tour map and personal audio devices. Check out the maps link because every stop was a favorite must see to us!
2011 will celebrate 100 years in business. The wife of a physician opened the market creating their "Signature" MarketSpice Tea a blend of black tea with spices and cinnamon-orange.
This is the home of the famous "flying fish". To assist customer quickly, the employee picks up the customers selected fish and sends it sailing through the air over the counter and into the hands of another employee who wraps it up for sale.
Chukar Cherries all began after a family owned cherry harvest was over, many cherries were left unpicked. This allowed the natural sugar solids to build until the fruit dried on the branch. On impulse one day their youngest child ate a few of the shriveled cherries that launched a fortune and delicious assortments of flavored cherries.
Beecher's Cheese has windows where you can watch as curds materialize from the milk, and then knit together to create a fine cheese. We loved their World's Best" Mac & Cheese, and purchased a few chunks of a few favorites which included a ground coffee crusted cheese.
The original Starbuck's where it all started in 1971! The name is taken from Moby-Dick; after Pequod was rejected by one of the co-founders, the company was named for the first mate on the Pequod, Starbuck. This shop still features a sign with the original (actually revised 3 times because the original was to provocative) logo of a bare-breasted siren inspired by a 15th century Norse woodcut.
Afterwards, we took a stroll through town looking for a bar and shops, ended up at Brian's Uncle Shane's restaurant the Flying Fish Seattle, where he bartends. We indulged on some appetizers, raw oysters and 5 glasses of champagne (a tease to our return for their New Years Eve Party). The restaurant staff were filling 500 balloons with helium, so the scene at the restaurant reminded Brian and I of our many New Years parties. Excited, we hurried back to the hotel, took a short siesta, almost ditching our dinner plans and instead have room service and cuddle. But once dolled-up, giggled our way back to the Flying Fish for a 3 course prix-fixe menu.
Unfortunately we were quite disappointed with the restaurants lack of festivities. We made the most of it - our expectations to attend a 'new years eve' event was to put our party to shame - not the case here. At midnight all the guests headed outside to view the amazing fireworks shooting out and off-top the Space Needle.
Brian and I champagne in one hand and our dessert in a to-go box in the other held one another tight happy to be there together!!
Most of New Years Day was spent with Shane and George [the best tour guide] at their cozy vacation home on Anderson Island. Such a beautiful day, clear but crisp. We boarded a ferry which took us across the Puget sound. Brian & I on the ferry with view of Mt. Rainier.
Again with the misfortune, my camera battery died, so that is the only picture just before we reached the island. Such a cute island far away from the city life, quiet and peaceful! While Shane and Brian reminisce and we toured their remodeled home, George made us lunch before our tour of the island. I think we saw every nook on the island - what an awesome adventure. We cannot wait to go back with the girls, the lakes were so clear. We hope George and Shane pursue their idea of a bike rental shop to tour the island!! Afterwards, George made us a delicious pasta dinner, I rolled the meatballs :) and we sat fireside with a glass of wine, waiting for the last ferry departure!
Later that night back in Seattle Brian and I were itching for some live music, and stumbled across a live blues juke joint Highway 99 Blues Club, listened to a great blues band Jumpin' Jim Wallace - a perfect ending to a fabulous New Years getaway.
I took this picture during our walk back to the hotel, the light fixtures are hung in all sorts of directions - pretty cool.
Here we are our last night in Seattle!
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