The Walking Tour of Seattle with Sheila and Katie

This was the plan.  Leave Spokane on Friday and take a leisurely drive to Seattle, stop whenever we wanted to and as often as we wanted to.  That's what we did.  We had a few traffic speed bumps along the way but no problem for us.  We got to our hotel in Issaquah and knew it was time to find food and have a little birthday celebration for Sheila.  Funny how all of us have different ideas about walking.  When we asked if we could walk to Red Robin the person at the front desk kind of made an I don't know face and said, "I have walked there before." Perhaps she had an idea of how far the two of us could walk and didn't want to push us too hard.  It was about 3 blocks away.  We drove based on her reaction but pretty sure we would have made it walking.  

 The birthday sundae came with a song from the workers.  Happy Birthday Sheila!

 Plan number two.  By the way all of our plans worked out great!  We get up and eat breakfast.  Then drive to Seattle and find a place to park in Seattle close to the stadium.  We got to Seattle about 9:30, early for sure.  There were already people sitting outside Safeco field waiting for the Ken Griffey Jr.  replica Hall of Fame plaque.  No way we were going to spend our day like that.  We parked right by the Seahawks stadium and off we went.

 Cloudy morning but it turned out to be a great day!

 Who knew!  UPS had it's beginnings in Seattle.

 A nice waterfall to commemorate the place UPS started.   The waterfall is what caught our eye.  It was right in the city.

 We roamed around Pioneer Square.

 He, he!

 Rolling cigarettes by the No Smoking sign.  Yes, we knew they weren't smoking but it caught our attention.  One of the nice men here moved the No Smoking sign closer so we could take a picture.  Pretty sure the sign was cast iron.

 Chess anyone?

Next stop Pike Place Market.  Oh my!  Way too many people! 

 This reminded me of the French Quarter in New Orleans.  Sheila wanted to get a Seattle gift card at Starbucks.  The line to get in to the Starbucks was blocks long.  She passed.

 After a brief tour of Pike Place Market we arrived out our rendezvous spot.  Westlake.

I can't remember the name of the place we ate but it was good.  Lunchtime!

Sheila has become obsessed with Snap Chat or Snat Chap as I called it once.  Only once.  I have to admit I participated in this too.

 Now what?  Not sure so let's get walking!

 No thank you!  I would be fine on the up but not the down.  That felling of your body and stomach in two different places does not make me happy.

 We were headed to a place to hang out before the game and as we were walking we saw this line.  Is this the line to get in the game?  Yes! Way beyond the football stadium 3 hours before the game started.

 Everywhere you looked there was a long line stacked with people.

 Yes, everywhere!

 Another place that I can't remember the name of.  Names of places weren't a high priority.  Play games, drink beer(or water) and relax.  It was right across from Safeco field so we waited until we saw the line moving.

 We made some new close personal friends.  Lloyd and Sheila.

 His name starts with a L but I can't remember what it was.  He is a school administrator.

 Ready to go, time to get to the game.

Gleasons and the Rest of the Family Together at the Space Needle

Friday!  Hanging out together around the Space Needle before we head up to the top.  This area has changed a lot since the last time I actually went to the Space Needle.  I can't even tell you when the last time I rode up to the top.  You see it every time you go to Seattle.  I don't remember all the vendors being there or the food and shopping area.  

I don't remember these guys being there either.  It was a pretty warm day in Seattle.  Can't imagine being in those costumes.

 Let's find something to do until it is time to go up the Space Needle.

 The Science Center.  The decision was what type of ticket to get.

 Tickets purchased! Let's go exploring!

 I sort of wished I would have tried this.  You are on a track so there is no falling.  I would have accumulated a little more mileage biking.  Well, maybe not mileage but more feet.

 The Terra Cotta Warriors fascinate me.  I can't even imagine how exciting it was to discover thousands of these buried!

 What's a good name for this guy!  Not Bob!  It has to be spectacular.  Jackie and...

 We were in the dinosaur exhibit.

 The dinosaurs all moved and Rivers wanted just a little touch.

 Huge dinosaur print.

 Put a penny in and pay 50 cents and turn the handle to get a flattened out penny with the dinosaur of your choice on it.

Naked moles.  No fur of any kind and they live in tunnels like ants do.  I have to say there we not pleasant to look at.

 The praying mantis, Mike, Steve and Rivers!

 Butterflies everywhere in the butterfly garden.  You can't touch them.  If they land on you the rule is to shake them off.  They check you for butterflies before you leave the garden.

 There were so many different kinds of butterflies and they were so beautiful.

 Kyle and Rivers

 The last stop in the Science Center before the Space Needle.  Everything you see in these pictures was created with Legos.  Oh, the patience it would take to do this!

 Yes, Legos!  All of the rest of the pictures are 3D sculptures.

 These are 3D not a picture.

 This was huge.

 This pencil almost went up to the ceiling.

 Yes, Legos!  The dinosaur took up the whole room.

 Oh my!  Too cute!

 All done with the Science Center.

Mike and I left the Science Center to get something to eat.  I introduced Mike to Mod Pizza.

 Here we are on top of Seattle looking down!

 Kyle and Rivers!

 Mt. Rainer

 Tony Hazel and Mike.  Tony is one of Steve's best buddies.

 Lauren, Kyle, Me, Rivers, Steve, Mike, Jared and Tony.  All people who love Steve and we are thankful for the care they give him.  They are family!

We headed back to our hotel.  Steve invited us to his question and answer after the movie played in Bellevue so we headed there after a short break at the hotel.  The people there did not know Steve was coming.  It was fun to see their reaction. It was pretty interesting to watch and hear the questions that were asked.  Ty and David (they did most of the filming over the years) were answering questions too.

 Wow, what a couple of emotional days.  Full of new experiences for Mike and me.  It is really hard to put into words the emotions of the two days.  Love, fun, thankfulness, love, adventure, heart ache and more.  I am constantly amazed at Steve's passion for living and for helping others.  He takes a dream and makes it reality.  No matter how big the dream is.  Awesome Ain't Easy!

Goodbye Seattle!