Weekend in Seattle

Day in Downtown Seattle

We started Saturday morning off with The Underground Tour. Did you know Seattle streets are raised 8 feet or more to keep the tide from flooding Seattle? This tour of the Underground (the level that got left behind when Seattle streets were raised) is a saucy, history lesson which is quite fascinating. Some (well maybe more than some) of the commentary was veiled to "go over the heads" of the younger tour participants.

Sweet Niece heading down into the Underground of Seattle. 

Next on the day's agenda was lunch. So we headed to Chinatown. We had fun turning the lazy Susan and sharing various dishes. Six out of seven thought the cabbage soup was great and several added the spicy horseradish mustard to it.

In Texas we have signs in Spanish and in Seattle ... 

Commuter Husband, Youngest Son, Oldest Son, Sweet Niece and Youngest Niece heading into Chinatown.

Youngest Son watching a game of chess with street music playing to the left.

After lunch we headed to the water to ride the Ferris Wheel. The wharf was bustling on this warm and sunny day.

Oldest Son looking out over the bay - that is the aquarium on the right (did not make it there yet.) 

Views from enclosed and air-conditioned Ferris Wheel box are wonderful - kids looking at shipping channel.

THEN, we headed to the ballpark to watch the Mariners play. The best part was being there for Ken Griffey Jr.'s induction into the Mariners Hall of Fame. I was even moved to tears - crazy - but I learned what an impressive athlete and caring community citizen this man is. It is nice to be reminded that many positive role models exists in professional sports and even better for kids to see it.

Look at that view of downtown Seattle!

Ken Griffey Jr. entering from Center Field where he made so many incredible catches in his career.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation honored Ken Griffey Jr. too - he has been making wishes come true for children since he was 19 years old!

Sunday in the Woods

Sunday took our crew of eight to Northwest Trek and what a wonderful excursion this park provides. We saw local wildlife up close on both the tram and walking through the grounds. The setting was serene and green and peaceful. And the finale was the 1.5 hour adventure in the trees!

Fondling the skins and skulls of regional animals.

A one hour tram tour took us right beside these Moose! We also saw caribou, black-tailed deer, bison, elk herds, mountain rams and other local animals. We saw two sets of deer twins less than one month old - ahhh ...   

The Next Generation: Ages 11, 13, 8, 16, 12 (almost.) 

Oldest Son listening to the porcupine talk. 

Zip Wild is great fun way up in the trees: zip lines, high wires, ropes, nets, climbing walls and wobbly "bridges." 

See the platforms, wires and nets? All self-guided. This place is well done.