We didn't get a super early start today, but decided to take our time and make a day of the drive. First up was sleeping as late as possible, but unfortunately with the time change I was side awake at 4 AM (6 AM CST). I did manage to get back to sleep eventually, but it took some effort. Showers, breakfast and packing took us until around 9:30 and then we were off to do a little shopping.
Best Buy was first on our agenda so we could get a cable to connenct the iPod to the car. Way cool being able to listen to our own music without lugging a ton of CD's around. Guess we are finally approaching this decade! The second stop took us to a rather large mall with a really BIG REI. They are based out of Seattle so they are everywhere and much larger than the one we have at home. We needed to find a couple of jackets because we didn't anticipate that it would be so COLD here. The temps aren't too bad by themselves, but the dampness and the wind makes for a pretty chilly experience.
After finding what we needed, we finally pointed the faithful Cobalt north. Of course, the first thing on my mind was doing a little geocaching. Stopped and did a really unique one in Lynnwood, before getting on the interstate and then did two more on at a couple of rest areas while on the highway.
It was a beautiful drive and the scenary was constatnly changing. Lunch time found us looking for something "different" to eat and we decided to experience a "Jack in the Box" restaurant. Typical fast food place that I am now glad I never have to experience again. Not bad, just not good either.
The border crossing was uneventful, just tedious and then it was a GORGEOUS drive up into Vancouver. I will try to add some pictures of the drive in later, but don't have the camera with me in the Starbucks right now. We met up with Scott's friend, Chris, and his wife, Sharon, at their condo and then they took us over to see the condo where we would be staying. Definitely not what I expected. This place is extremely swanky and extremely small. It is about half the size of our first apartment at around 800 sft! When they told us it is valued at over $600,000 I just about fell off my chair.
Once we dropped our things off, it was off to dinner with Chris and Sharon at a place called The Boathouse about 20 minutes away in Horseshoe Bay. Incredible food, most of it local and a beautiful view of the sound and the mountains. It was a challenge to find something on the menu the DID'T have wild caught salmon in it, but I managed. :)
Tomorrow we are off to do a little sight-seeing and possibly a tram ride to the top of a mountain. We will have to see how brave my tummy is feeling. We are looking forward to exploring the city and the surrounding area, but I have a feeling we wouldn't be able to see everything that we wanted to if we had a month!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Friday, August 29, 2008
We have arrived!
Hello everyone! We made it to the Seattle uneventfully and are really loving the area. There are mountains and lots of water to see and I got my first look at the Pacific Ocean. We even got to see Mount Renier and Mount St. Helens from the airplane on the way in! The top of Rainier may have been in the clouds from the ground but that doesn't matter when you are seeing it from above the clouds!
After getting our luggage and rental car we were a little lost as to what to do first. We decided to drive a little bit south of where we were to see the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Definitely a very interesting landmark for a civil engineer. Of course the original "galloping gurdy" isn't there anymore, but the replacement bridge is still pretty cool.
Then we decided to head back north and find the Pike Place Market. Scott had been there before but it was definitely worth the the stop for me to see it. It was a lot like an indoor farmer's market with fish and some of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. Huge bouquets for just a few dollars! Made me want to buy a ton of them, but I didn't think they would last very long in my suitcase.
A couple of hours wandering around and we decided to go a few blocks north to see the famous Space Needle. The view from the top was gorgeous! At 520' I was a little nervous about going up, but it was definitely worth it in the end. The interesting fact we learned was that it only takes a 1.5 horsepower motor to turn the revolving restaurant! Now that is what I call good balance.
After all of the sight seeing it was time to head north and find a place to stay for the night. We stopped in Lynnwood, WA, on the northside of Seattle and then had a nice dinner at a place called McGrath's Fish House. The fresh prawns were delicious and Scott was able to have not only fresh caught Halibut but his favorite beer, Fat Tire, as well. I just wish I could have joined him but stuck with the diet Pepsi instead. After dinner it was all we could do to get back to the hotel before we fell asleep. Thank goodness the bed is comfortable!
Tomorrow we head north for Vancouver, after stopping for some geocaching along the way of course! Have to get a few done in Washington so I can add another state to my list. We should be settled into the condo this evening and then the real exploring can begin.
After getting our luggage and rental car we were a little lost as to what to do first. We decided to drive a little bit south of where we were to see the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Definitely a very interesting landmark for a civil engineer. Of course the original "galloping gurdy" isn't there anymore, but the replacement bridge is still pretty cool.
Then we decided to head back north and find the Pike Place Market. Scott had been there before but it was definitely worth the the stop for me to see it. It was a lot like an indoor farmer's market with fish and some of the most beautiful flowers I have ever seen. Huge bouquets for just a few dollars! Made me want to buy a ton of them, but I didn't think they would last very long in my suitcase.
A couple of hours wandering around and we decided to go a few blocks north to see the famous Space Needle. The view from the top was gorgeous! At 520' I was a little nervous about going up, but it was definitely worth it in the end. The interesting fact we learned was that it only takes a 1.5 horsepower motor to turn the revolving restaurant! Now that is what I call good balance.
After all of the sight seeing it was time to head north and find a place to stay for the night. We stopped in Lynnwood, WA, on the northside of Seattle and then had a nice dinner at a place called McGrath's Fish House. The fresh prawns were delicious and Scott was able to have not only fresh caught Halibut but his favorite beer, Fat Tire, as well. I just wish I could have joined him but stuck with the diet Pepsi instead. After dinner it was all we could do to get back to the hotel before we fell asleep. Thank goodness the bed is comfortable!
Tomorrow we head north for Vancouver, after stopping for some geocaching along the way of course! Have to get a few done in Washington so I can add another state to my list. We should be settled into the condo this evening and then the real exploring can begin.
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