Seattle, July 9-12
We came to Seattle a few days early to see my brother and sister-in-law on nearby Whidbey Island, sight see in town and hop a ferry to Bainbridge Island to visit Churchmouse Yarns. I’ve been subsidizing them by online ordering for so long; I needed to visit the Mother Ship.
Just before we left Georgia, Jim’s sister Sherry texted that she and Phil would like to drive up from Portland and cross paths in Seattle. A quick phone call and the plan was afoot. They would meet our flight, drive us into Seattle, have dinner with us and stay over night. An unexpected and welcome chance for Jim to spend time with one of his three favorite sisters.
Churchmouse was on the calendar for the next day so Sherry and Phil decided to take the ferry over to Bainbridge with us and then be on their way home. I love ferry boats, always have. It all started with the Balboa Ferry that crosses Newport Harbor between Balboa and Balboa Island in Southern California. It’s about a two minute ride, three car limit unless they were all VW bugs and then four would fit. I think it cost a nickel for bike and rider in the 50s-60s. Probably the coolest way ever to go to our dentist whose office was across the bay. But I digress.
Turns out this was Sherry’s first car ferry ride. After driving the car onto the ferry, we hopped out and climbed the stairs up to the top decks for a beautiful view of the Seattle skyline. It was a short ride, maybe 20 minutes or so but what a fun way to get from point A to point B. Sherry and Phil headed off towards home while Jim and I ambled down the street of precious shops, me with a bag full of yarn, to take the ferry back. We learned that walk-ons are free on the return to Seattle. Thank you Washington State Ferry system.
We Ubered (always choosing “Good conversationalist” in the preferences so I can pump the driver for local knowledge) from hotel to the Space Needle and Chihuly Glass Gardens. Despite the rain showers (the complete Seattle experience) we enjoyed both. The Space Needle had a revolving restaurant up on the top until a couple of years ago. The restaurant was removed, the floor replaced with something see-through (glass, plastic, whatever), and now visitors can stand on the clear floor and look down or look out the windows and watch the world pass as the floor revolves. Such a weird feeling, but a fun way to spend 50 bucks! Our theory of travel is, “We probably won’t be here again, so lean in, admit you’re a tourist and do it all.”
Back to the hotel, a little wet and tired, but in time for Happy Hour. Cocktails and bar food for dinner. What could be better? Until I chewed on a truffle fry and lost a crown, tooth not tiara. Put that puppy in a cocktail napkin and into my pocket and then had another peach whisky sour to ease my (non-existent) pain and suffering. Nothing like a dental crisis on day two of a 35 day trip. I called my dentist who advised sticking it back on during the day with Fixodent, tried to find a dentist in our first port, Ketchikan on a Sunday, and then decided, tooth didn’t hurt, it’s way in the back, so just ignore it until I’m back in Kennesaw. Head in sand is my favorite go-to solution.
A long Uber ride the next day to Mulkiteo and the ferry to Whidbey Island. Brother John had already schooled me on how to board the ferry (on this run the bike riders and pedestrians walk onto the ferry before the cars are loaded and you don’t want to be lagging behind, holding up the process and getting “the look” from the ferry workers. I’m proud to say that we acquitted ourselves like natives.) Good time on the island with John and Carol. We managed to book end a long visit with a delicious lunch at the Usless Bay Golf Club (the best name ever for a country club) and dinner from the sea at a tiny joint in Langley (raw oysters and steamed mussels!) before they dropped us at the ferry. There were just a handful of walk-ons so this time we were held back until all the vehicles were on board. We be cool, acted like we did this every day and once again, free going home. Got an Uber to drive us back into Seattle. That was most definitely NOT free.
And now (Friday late afternoon) we’re on board the Maasdam, heading towards Ketchikan, Alaska. We will sail past John and Carol’s house on Whidbey so I’ve tied my red rain jacket to the balcony railing so they can find us. I am certain that somewhere in the “Welcome on Board” packet, passengers are strictly admonished NOT to tie anything to the balcony railing.
Forgot to mention that I gave our Uber driver the wrong pier number this morning. Holland America always has sailed from Pier 91 in Seattle so imagine my surprise when we got there and found THOUSANDS of people schlepping their bags toward two of those behemoth cruise ships that look more like floating apartment buildings than ships. Fortunately we had so much luggage that I had opted for the big Uber. Little Ubers and cabs have to drop their passengers far from the ships. Shuttles, buses and Suburbans get to drive right up to the front door. The driver knew immediately where we were supposed to be, told me it was no problem and then battled his way back through the multitudes to Pier 66, a peaceful, civilized place where a porter takes the luggage from the car and delivers it to the ship. The Maasdam doesn’t have a rock climbing wall, water slide or any of that nonsense but it also doesn’t make its passengers lug their baggage for a good quarter mile. At this stage of life I’m all about convenience and service rather than razzle dazzle. Well, maybe a little razzle dazzle.
Dinner time....
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