Day 7- Seattle (ready for another long one?)

Let me first warn you (again), this is another long one! I know.. I know, I went a little picture crazy while away. But, we had SO much fun!!

We went to Seattle on day 7 and did a lot of the touristy things.

We began with breakfast at Beth's. It has been on TV for their humongous omelets. Your choice of a 6 egg or a 12 egg! That's it. Rusty was going to get the 12 egg so he could have his picture taken with it but then decided it would be a waste of food. I think now he wishes he would have done it. If you are a food network or travel channel watcher, you may recognize this place/name. What we found out though is that they do NOT give away a free t-shirt or give you the omelet for free if you finish it. That was just for TV! In fact, our server told us their was a gentleman that not only finished the omelet but also 3 orders of hash browns (they are all you can eat) and his toast!

On the monorail headed for Seattle Center (where the Space needle is located)

Oh... did I mention that the weather was AMAZING? I think it got up into the mid-70's that day!

Rusty has sensitive eyes... and we were facing the sun

Erin and I have known each other since 9th grade! In fact, I only lived near her for 2 1/2 years and then we moved to the East coast. The rest of the time our friendship has been long distance. But, we manage to stay best friends... no matter the distance or the time!

Oh yeah... we also crack each other up BIG time. The majority of the time spent together is spent laughing! I mean the laugh where you laugh so hard it is silent... just a whoosh of air! My abs were hurting the whole time I was there because I would laugh so hard all day.

The two happy couples!

I love this fountain! If we weren't going to lunch in the Space needle in just a few minutes I would have played in the water! It was hot!

It sprayed pretty high.... and then.......

With a bang it did this and made the best sound when it hit the metal structure.

The Science Center.... I love the architecture of things in Seattle.

There she is! Beautiful.

Now we are inside of the Space needle... getting ready to eat.

This is the view from our table (every 40+ minutes). It was so clear the whole time we were there that we saw Mt. Rainer every day!

Beautiful view!! I meant Seattle silly... not me! ;)

I'm glad Erin found such a nice guy... I really enjoyed my time with both of them

The food was gross but I think it is because I ordered the cheapest thing on the menu. If I were ever to go again, I would order what I wanted and ignored the price.

I learned one thing from these photos... that shirt is NOT flattering! No, I'm not pregnant... yet!

On the observation deck.... it is pretty up there!

Mt. Rainer again!

Rusty almost blocked it but it snuck in the picture again!!

After lunch, we headed for Pike's Place. I just love the view coming down to it! What is absolutely amazing is the flowers you can buy at the market. They had big, beautiful bouquets for only $10-$15... they would be $50-$60 in Oklahoma!

Next up was the fish market.... where we met the monk fish.

This thing was attached to a string (yes, it is a real fish) and when people would get down to look at it closer... they would pull the string. It was amazing to see how much people would jump or scream!

After the market we ducked into Nordstrom Rack and shopped a little. Then it was off to my pseudo-parents house for dinner. Before dinner is when Joyce gave us the quilt. It was a really special night.

This is Joyce, Ken, Erin and Bryne. It was so great being back in that house. I spent A LOT of time in that house. Erin and I would lay in her bunk bed and just read magazines, giggle or play rummy. Good times! I sure do love my Washington family!

Day 6- Victoria, BC

Our original plan for going to Victoria was to take a ferry out of Port Angeles. For anyone who knows anything about Twilight, Port Angeles is in the book a few times and Forks is only an hour away. So, Erin and I were pretty excited to go visit the Twilight towns.

Unfortunately, both Erin and I didn't read the driving directions very well seeing that we would have needed to take a ferry to the ferry. Seeing that we were planning to leave in the morning, we didn't have much time to plan that one out. Instead of seeing Port Angeles and Forks, we took the Victoria Clipper straight from Seattle.

We were almost the last group to get to board, so our seats were a little on the crumby side. Erin and I sat in middle seats across from each other and Rusty sat in the row behind me. Rusty and I spent a good amount of time on the way to Victoria standing out on the deck of the boat. It was beautiful to see the mountains and trees. I was really hoping to see a whale but no such luck.

Thankfully Erin and I sat next to a couple who were locals of Victoria; we were able to get the scoop on the REALLY good places to eat that weren't too touristy. Through them we also figured out a few things to do while there. Before we went we had decided as a group not to do Buchard Gardens. I know, I know... it is so beautiful... yadda, yadda, yadda... but we decided that we only had a few hours and a 45 minute drive each way (on a public bus so it may have been longer) plus a $30 entry fee to see some gardens just weren't worth it that day. I promise, next time Rusty and I go back we will stay the night so we have more time and we will go the the gardens.

Boarding the Victoria Clipper (Erin thinks she's a rock star....she kinda looks like she could be in this picture though!)

Checking out our ride

Leaving the Emerald City

Beautiful view

Did I mention we had GORGEOUS weather the WHOLE time we were there?

Those are all house boats... and we are going to eat amongst those house boats very soon!

One of the places the locals told us where to go.... Yummy fish and chips

Barb's Place... delicious! Erin had Haddock fish and chips, Rusty had Halibut fish and chips and I had the Salmon fish and chips. It was SO good.

The locals also told us that there are Seals there that love to be fed... here he comes now for a little lunch

Of course I can't pass up feeding any wild animal (or tame one at that!) I bought a bunch of fish from the gentleman at the fish market (next to Barb's) for only $5

How cool is this? They don't even let you do this at Sea World! (Not with seals any way)

There were only two... and boy were they pigs!

Next up was a carriage ride through the oldest part of Victoria and down by the water. It was beautiful.

It was very romantic. We all three sat together and cuddled!

Such an active town... there are so many people walking and biking. Plus, they all have a green thumb or something because there wasn't one house that we passed that didn't have a gorgeous garden.

Just beautiful!

The legislative building

This is what people's house gardens look like! Can you believe that?

I would love to get to come back and stay here. It was a beautiful, old hotel. They were celebrating there 100th birthday while we were there.

This is Chinatown... we were informed that it is the oldest Chinatown on the West coast.

Johnston St. bridge... Johnston St. is where all the good shopping is located.

This sculpture was in the middle of Bastion Square

Still in love!

Killing time at a pub in Bastion Square. The view was really pretty.

Erin must have had silly juice in her soda... she went all crazy like on us!

Last stop after the pub was picking up dinner for the ride back to Seattle. Once again, we took the advice from the locals we sat next to and went to Red Fish Blue Fish. Red Fish Blue Fish was down on a dock and they served food out of old shipping containers that they made into kitchens and storage. It was Really good and pretty affordable. Erin and I both had fish tacones (rolled up like a cone instead for taco style) and Rusty had fish and chips, again. It was a great meal for the boat ride back.

bye, bye Victoria... I hope to return someday

We ate our lunch and then Rusty and I went out on the back of the boat to watch the sites. I was cold and tired so I went back in and took a nap (as did Erin) while Rusty proceeded to stand out there the whole 2 hour and 45 minutes back to Seattle! Crazy I tell you!

I think I may have annoyed Erin with all of my picture taking... or maybe she's just tired!

And back to beautiful Seattle... Mt. Rainer is bright and shining!

We didn't get to see whales or Buchard Gardens but we did get to walk MILES all over Victoria. It was beautiful and I'm glad I can say I've been there. One day I'd like to go back a stay over night. Maybe in the Empress?! That would be neat.

Day 7 coming up next.... tomorrow that is!