We've landed in Seattle for a short bit. It's a beautiful place. The heatwave and endless sunshine are a welcome treat from Sydney's grey-skied winter. The locals are a bit a perplexed by it, but we'll be blessed with a dozen rain free days during our stay. Craig got a sunburn yesterday. ...in Seattle?! That just doesn't happen, right?
I really like this city and nearly moved here in 1995. It hasn't fallen off my short-list of livable places. It is so nice to be back while Craig is training for his new job. I've got about eleven days here. He'll stay slightly longer. We're still getting our bearings, but have already found two haunts close to our hotel which will be oft visited. My stomach is already bloated from their tasty goodness. Tom Douglas' Palace Kitchen and Top Pot Doughnuts are world's apart in culinary styles, but I'd rate both highly if you're in the area.
The blue skies are a great back drop to the neon signs that dot Seattle's sky. I hadn't set out to look for them, but found my camera's memory card quickly filling from their glow.
I mentioned the donuts right? Surely the animated neon bucking horse is enough to lure anyone in?
Get the Maple Bar. You won't regret it.
Thursday will be the first Fourth of July which I'll spend on American soil in ten years. I can't deny feeling a bit giddy about it. Before we could break out the fireworks though, we had another celebration to take in. Yesterday, we stopped to watch Seattle's Pride Parade which bounded through downtown. Full of happiness, support and love; we really enjoyed being there to cheer on those who are celebrating their differences and reminding us that we are all the same.
Our adventure is just beginning, but Seattle has quickly shaped up to be vibrant, exciting and alive. Have you been to the Seattle area? Any hot tips for us that we need to squeeze in?
Im excited to read this. We are going to Seattle in November!
ReplyDeleteAlki Beach, Ballard, Fremont (visit the Troll), Vashon Island (Island Quilter!), Bainbridge Island (day trip - no car needed from downtown), Center for Wooden Boats - Lake Union, Volunteer Park Conservatory, UW Arboretum, Chihuly museum in Seattle Center. I'm a native.
ReplyDeleteBainbridge Island = Pink Chalk Fabrics (Great solids collection and lovely modern fabric.)
ReplyDeleteWest Seattle Fabric Company - Great neighborhood! (Eat at Circa) The shop owner will tell you where the other quilt shops are. She told me when I visited in February.
I HIGHLY recommend eating at Wild Ginger on Third Ave. Everything they serve is fabulous...especiallychocolate torte and blackberry sorbet.
ReplyDeleteLoving the suggestions! These are really top ideas. A great mix of food, fabric and fun.
ReplyDeleteThe EMP (Experience Music Project) and the Dale Chihuly exhibit (both at Seattle Center) are a must. Love the pic of the elephant car wash. :) Welcome to Seattle! Have fun. :)
ReplyDeleteDid you already visit Undercover Quilts at Pike Place Market? Another good place is Quilting Loft in Ballard. You can visit the Ballard Locks while you are there. A fun silly place to visit is Archie McPhee's store on Stone Way and 45th. They are the company that used to advertise on the back page of comic books. They sell novelty items like x-ray glasses and devil duckies (like a rubber duckie but with devil horns). For food, I recommend Spuds on Greenlake or at Alki. Not a high brow food place, but still very yummy.
ReplyDeleteYou lucky, lucky girl! Please try Louisa's Cafe and Bakery on Eastlake and Esther's on Bainbridge Isl. (fabric and wonderful ribbons!). And funny, but of the half dozen times I've visited Seattle, it has never rained!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun opportunity! Those are some bright, beautiful pics. Reminds me of Ara Jane's quilt prompt for do. Good Stitches (http://whatarajaneloves.blogspot.com/2013/06/34-log-cabins.html) and she lives in Seattle!
ReplyDeleteThe Seafair Pirates land at Alki on Saturday - check the westseattleblog.com for info. It's crazy fun- or you may want to avoid the beach that day!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely place! I spent 12 weeks in Seattle last summer when they had their longest stretch of rain-free days in something like 40 years.
ReplyDeleteHowever, a note on the "livability." Buying houses in Seattle is just not accessible for most working adults. So, it's livable, but really only to people in a certain wage bracket.
We went to Seattle in May and loved it. So Much Yarn is a great yarn store (if you are a knitter) and, if you are going to Alki Beach, West Seattle Fabric is on the way. The owner is really friendly and the shop is super cute! I second the recommendation on Undercover Quilts. Hope you have a great time!
ReplyDeleteIf you can find it, the Pink Door Restaurant is a must visit! It is down a little alley close to Pike Place Market & there is no sign outside, just a lovely pink door. The food is divine!
ReplyDeleteToulouse Petit is a wonderful Cajun/french bar restaurant with an amazing Happy Hour and brunch! I think all the fabric stores have been mentioned. Have a great time and let us know if you head down to Portland!
ReplyDeleteI'm from Seattle....it's a great place! So glad you love it as well. Definitely take a ferry when you are there. Take it anywhere, it doesn't matter, they're all lovely.
ReplyDeleteI'm from Seattle....it's a great place! So glad you love it as well. Definitely take a ferry when you are there. Take it anywhere, it doesn't matter, they're all lovely.
ReplyDeleteI visited Seattle last year but only in transit. Reading this blog, I wish that I could have taken the time to visit the city properly. Thanks and hope that your readers will also have time to visit Fiji.
ReplyDelete