Pike Space Bums

One real nights worth of sleep before packing two days worth of clothes for Seattle. Thank you travel gods.

NOT Pike Place!

We headed out early for Seattle and after traffic we were looking at getting into town around 1pm. When we got close I pulled out my GPS and searched for Pike Place Fish Market. It instructed us to get off the freeway, so we did. It sent us up a hill and into a residential neighborhood but I was thinking that maybe it was taking us the shortest route. A few more turns and we end in a cul-de-sac having "arrived at (our) destination".

To the Asshat at 385 Datewood Ct NW, Issaquah, WA 98027 who thought it would be funny to mark your house as Pike Place Fish Market I hope you briefly choke on a marshmallow and all your teeth fall out. You probably don't eat marshmallows which means your teeth are probably perfect, but you just sent us 40 minutes out of our way. 40 minutes when you only have 2 days to explore is crucial. Santa better be bringing you coal. And yes, I understand the Asshat may no longer live there, but that doesn't change the fact that he's still an asshat.

Anyway, 40 minutes behind schedule meant that we missed my harbor tour by 10 minutes. Just close enough to make me sad about it.

We managed to find parking downtown (nightmare!) and went straight for some Starbucks. We bought Alex a hot chocolate and he shared it with Evelyn. Such a great big brother!

We walked the pier to the aquarium as our first official adventure in Seattle. Well actually, I think the bum that was hanging on our window telling us we needed to give him money for a room because he was pointing to a parking spot (that we saw without him) for us would be our first actual adventure. Welcome to the city. Lock your doors, keep your kids close, and wear your money where no one can see it!

This seal came right up next to us to hang out and
scratch his back on the glass. 

The aquarium was actually pretty awesome. They have research right outside in Puget Sound on sharks (one specifically named the sixgill shark) and other local creatures that they feature in the aquarium. There is a salmon run that is set up that I'm sure would be amazing to see when the Salmon are actually in it. My favorite part was easily the seal and otter exhibits. It was set up so you could watch them from above (like we can see in San Francisco) and below the water. I can honestly say I've never seen otters under water before. I had no idea they were so fast and getting to watch them play together was so much fun.

We left the aquarium and drove to the space needle. Again, parking was insane but we came at the perfect time. We were there when it was still light out (and we could just barely see Mt. Rainer) and stayed long enough to watch the sunset and see the city at night. I don't know why I didn't consider how windy it would be at the top but I was grateful it wasn't raining on us. I failed to charge my camera battery and a nice passerby offered to take our picture but apparently has never worked a camera that has a focus button. Either that or she just didn't care. Thanks anyway for trying. We almost got a family picture.

We finally left the space needle and ventured through town to find the Camlin where we were staying. The hotel was gorgeous but we just went to our room and fed the kids easy Mac for dinner before canceling our in room movie plans in lieu of sleep or the kids. Evelyn hasn't napped all week and she was beyond grumpy, making me grumpy, and I ashamedly took it out on Alex a wee bit with 'angry Mommy voice'. Sleep cures all.

We needed milk for breakfast so I walked the block to the local stop and rob passing only 1sleeping homeless person along the way. There seems to be a lot of homeless here. Yogurts were $1.20 so I only got enough for the kids plus a gallon milk (only $0.30 more than a quart), a couple string cheeses, and some bananas for $9 total. Ouch.

Back at the hotel I played with the parking meter until I finally figured out how to pay for our overnight space. Very unclear instructions but $10 later I made it work!!

I noticed the *empty* metro station across the street and couldn't resist briefly checking it out. I only stayed a moment before heading back inside to put the food away but not before I noticed the theater kiddy corner from the hotel.

itty bitty blub in the middle is angry bum

After putting the milk away I grabbed my camera to snap a picture of that theatre only to be chased down by an angry bum accusing me of taking his picture when I had no right. First of all I AM in a tourist town meaning people tend to take pictures of everything; second I was just up the space needle where they have a camera anyone can control that can zoom in all over the city. Needless to say when the guy literally crossed two streets all the while yelling at me this scared little white chick was not such a fool that I didnt run my ass back inside. I was extremely grateful I hadn't ventured more than 20 yards from the entrance and the waiting doorman. I ain't going out solo at night again unless I'm dressed to match the bums. No one jerked with me then...

I reviewed my picture and yes, your blurry (let me strongly emphasize blurry) ass IS in my picture but you quite clearly walked into it. What makes it more offensive is that I wasn't even using a flash!!! Find me a camera that can take a clear shot of someone in a bright city at night and I'll give you my left arm!

I know I had a really fun video of the otters swimming but for the life of me I cannot currently find it. I'll just have to post it later.