Our
day started after a restful sleep in downtown Seattle. Russell
awoke feeling no after effects from last night's stroll and so
was up for trying to go to Pike Place Market and try again to
get breakfast for a good start on the day. Leaving the hotel, we
walked down Fourth Avenue to Virginia where Lola was doing brisk
business, then walking up the hill on Virginia again passing by
Serious Pie and then at the crest down hill to Pike Place
Market. The Main and North arcades stretch along Pike Place
between Pike and Virginia streets. This is where many of the
produce vendors, flower sellers and specialty food retailers are
located. We decided to meander from one end to the other
checking out the wares and crafts and tried a sample here and
there.
The restaurant recommended
by the front desk had stopped serving breakfast and were
setting up for lunch so it would be a thirty minute wait. We
decided to continue our hunt while looking at the stalls in
the market. We had come to the end of the market when we
spotted a establishment that was serving both breakfast and
lunch. It was on the back side of the market but with big
windows overlooking the bay, the boats and ferries. With there
being some empty tables along the windows, it was decided this
was the place. You order your food at the counter, find a
table, get your water and silverware and the meal will be
delivered to your table. We both ordered the Breakfast special
# 2 and Bloody Marys. We found the perfect table and had a
toast. The Bloody Marys were the perfect compliment to the
ambience.
View from the Sounder View Cafe in the Pike Place Market.
Elliot Bay.
Russell enjoying the view.
The Seattle Great Wheel with climate-controlled gondolas.
South end of Main Arcade at Pike Street. The seafood-tossing
fishmongers are directly ahead.
After fuel for our bodies and
alcohol for the blood, we were off to see the monorail and
explore the city streets and stores. We got turned around a few
times but no matter, that is fun part of traveling but we did
arrive at the Westlake Center station. The Seattle Center
Monorail, built for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair, whisks
passengers from the Westlake Center station to Seattle Center in
Lower Queen Anne in just 2 minutes. We bought our tickets,
boarded the train and enjoyed the short ride above Fifth Avenue
and arrived at the foundation of the Space Needle.
605 foot height.
Buildings are Museum of Pop Culture that cover the monorail
tracks.
Queen Anne hill with towers.
Display at Monorail station.
We didn't travel to the top of the Space Needle this visit as
neither of us are big fans of height plus the sky was overcast so
your view would be limited.
Marvelous, just Marvelous.
Glass creation at Chihuly Garden of Glass.
Exhibit hall at Seattle Center.
After cruising around the
grounds, we headed to the Armory building for a sit down rest
and a soda. There were a lot of school students around as we
found out later there was a robot competition being held here
today. We later saw some of same students on the local news.
Also inside the Armory workers were beginning work on the model
train holiday exhibit. Here are some pictures from my visit in
2012
A Monorail train set at Seattle Center station.
Our monorail car waiting at station for us to board for return
trip to Westlake Center. The monorail travels 1 mile in 90
seconds, usually operating at speeds up to 45mph.
Inside our monorail car.
After zipping through the
city's skyscape, we arrived at the Westlake Center station which
is on the third floor in a dept store. One of the most unusual
venues for stations I have been at in the world. Leaving the
station we took a meandering route back to the hotel passing
many big stores with their windows being decorated for the
winter holidays. One store had this exciting model train layout.
Returning to the hotel we
visited the basement to see the health club and pool area. Then
in our room it was decided it was cocktail time and so it was.
Discussing how to spend our last night in Seattle, we talked
about how impressed both of us were with the city at night view
from last night, driving into the city with Bob. Remembering my
previous visit with taking the South Lake Union Streetcar to
Lake Union and seeing good views of the city, we decided to ride
the streetcar and see the sights. The streetcar line starts at
Westlake Center so we headed there.
A lighted crane with the Warwick Hotel on right with it's south
side.
Walking to the streetcar stop
we went into the Westin Hotel for a pit stop. A nice looking
hotel and might consider this for next trip to Seattle. Exiting
we stopped at the concierge and had a chat with the nice lady,
telling her our plans of riding the streetcar to Lake Union. She
said: "Let me check the schedule because on Sunday they stop
running at 7pm, I think. Yes she said, today they stopped at
7pm." We were very thankful for her help and information as it
was now 7:20pm. So another chance for a plan B.
Leaving the Westin we hit the Sixth Avenue
sidewalk heading toward the hotel being on the lookout for a
dinner place. I then spotted the name "Skillet" on a building.
There is a Skillet in the Armory at the Space Needle and I have
eaten their good food. As somebody once said "This is the
place". Earlier Russell and I both talked about having a bowl of
soup or chili to enjoy on these damp cold days. The Skillet
Regrade had chili but only one serving left so Russell had that,
of which I had several tastes. I had the spicy chicken sandwich
which was very spicy as I had to refill my water goblet several
times. Leaving the restaurant we continued on Sixth Avenue to
the corner at Lenora Street. We walked on Lenora to Seventh
Avenue to see the building with the spheres. We learned that the
spheres are named the Amazon Spheres as this is the location of
Amazon Headquarters. If we had another day here, for sure we
wanted to try the restaurant inside. We were in a little down
mode as we walked back to the hotel on Lenora since this was our
last night in Seattle. As we packed for tomorrow morning's
departure, we looked out of the window to the apartments across
the street and watch life unfolding in the city, each a unique
drama within.
Thanks for reading.
