Seattle

It might be a bit after the fact, but I've resolved to get this blog updated. So here's where the trip continues! After Portland (via the beach and Rogue Brewery) we rode back to Seattle with Eric and Billy. We had a lot of good times there. Much of that was not captured on film. There was a trip back to Elliott Bay Brewery, a couple of good dinners, a killer happy hour at a place none of us yet tried that led into the most inebriated board game night I'd ever seen successfully completed. There was a moment where I was sure we wouldn't make it, but Eric (and maybe Tristan too) successfully taught the new players to play a game and we made all the way through (anyone remember which game that was?). We played some Battlestar Galactica (with the expansion), and a game called Factory Manager. Ahh nerd time... it was awesome.

Anyway, Eric also got us out to see some of the sights. We headed up to the Space Needle (but neither Susan nor I were willing to spend a silly amount of money to go to the top) and took the Monorail (must... not... sing... Simpson's monorail song) to Pike's market. I apologize to Eric if I got that all wrong. Anyway, Pike's Market is a total touristy area, but it was a ton of fun and there were so many good photo ops. I have to tell you I caught about 1/10 of the shots I saw and really just missed some world-class photos.

This was a super awesome sign.

Some pretty something-or-others that Susan bought. I don't know she wouldn't let me have one.

This was one of my favorite shots.

I just missed snapping this guy before he noticed me. He had a great expression and the lighting was awesome.

I really love this one too... but the outside left it a bit imbalanced.

This isn't a great shot, but it's the obligatory picture of the famous fish tossing...

On another day, Eric took us (Susan, me, Billy, and a friend of his named Wombat) on the Ferry to Bainbridge. This is them in the middle of a lively conversation in the car.

Seattle from across the... uh... Sound?

Cranes unloading the ocean-going cargo ships.

Appropriately, the coffee seems integrated into Eric's smiling state. You wouldn't want to take away his coffee. They take coffee seriously in Seattle.

Bainbridge had a fun quaint little touristy area. We had a great lunch a good time walking around. There were starfish in the water and Susan wanted more than anything *I kid you not* to poke one with a stick. In looking at pictures after the vacation, she wistfully stated with a far away glance, "I really wish I had poked one with a stick." I guess we all have our regrets in life. Here is Susan... with a stick.
That picture makes me laugh every time I see it. Anyway, from Seattle we headed to East Glacier!