Seattle

I got up early and went back to my uncle's after having a little breakfast with my aunt. My uncle was scheduled to give a tour at Bloedel Reserve that morning to a group from the American Rhododendron Society. I tagged along and got to meet the directors and other workers of this beautiful estate garden. I listened, took pictures, and conversed with members of this group as we took this tour led by my uncle. We went through the Moss Garden, a gorgeous forested area with moss covering the ground like grass. And then went through a garden where there was a large reflection pool with manicured shrubs around it. It was a very serene area of the gardens. We went through the Japanese Garden which featured a large sand garden and Japanese-style building. There were some rolling hills in the background and beautiful Japanese grasses and maples. Behind the Japanese building was a pond with a variety of trees and plants along the edge with a path going around it. It was really quite beautiful and well done. We then walked toward the house on the estate, a large French-style home with a big pond out front and a manicured lawn. Many different trees, shrubs, and plants were in bloom all over the gardens not only making for a colorful tour but one that smelled lovely too. We went around the back of the house where there was a large reddish-leafed tree and a view of the water. After, we went down to what is called the Christmas Garden, which Mr. Bloedel had gifted his wife for Christmas one year. It had a waterfall and stream going through it and tall trees and many flowering plants filled this area. We even saw a barred owl hanging out on a branch along the way. As we walked toward the front of the gardens as the tour ended, it was nice to talk with some of the group and see my uncle remember so much information throughout this tour. It was very impressive, both the gardens and his tour.

We went back to his house and I ate some lunch before he dropped me off to catch a ferry to Seattle. I boarded right away and took a seat right at the front. The ferry was kind of busy and the group that was at the gardens happened to be on this ferry so I said hello to the newly familiar faces. As we left Bainbridge Island, the Seattle skyline started to fill the view. After a 35-minute ferry ride, we docked. I followed the exit to a long boardwalk-type thing until my cousin picked me up at the end of it.

We headed off to the Space Needle first. We read the boards of information leading up to the elevators in the Space Needle and I learned that it was built within a year or so. After a very quick elevator ride to the top, we stepped out to the observation deck and the view was of course stunning. In every direction was something cool to look at and I was lucky to have a pretty clear day to see everything. We went down a level to the revolving glass floor and it made me a bit nervous. It was nice to just stand there as the building slowly turned, but it messed with my balance a little bit. My cousin pointed out buildings, areas of the city, and other cities that bumped up against Seattle.

We then went to the Chihuly Garden and Glass. This museum was incredible. The glass blown art was really beautiful and so unique. So many different shapes, colors, and sizes. Some taking up the majority of a room. The intricate and detailed pieces glowed against the light shining on them. Many pieces were indoor but they had a garden with glass pieces outdoor as well. Before going into the garden area there was a big room filled with windows and a giant floral glass sculpture hanging from the ceiling. The information board said the sculpture looks different depending on the time of day and what the sunlight does to it. The gardens complemented the glass artwork wonderfully and enhanced their effect outdoors. We went back inside and watched a few films of Dale Chihuly and the processes of his work with his crew. We then went back out in the gardens to watch a glassblowing demonstration. It was very cool to see it done in person and the process it takes to make a glass vase. All of the vases made in the multiple demonstrations a day go on sale, all under $100, for people to buy, and that money goes right back into the community in Seattle. We did a quick walk through the gift shop and saw some smaller Chihuly glass pieces for sale for thousands of dollars.

We then drove over to Pike Place Market. Vendors, of all sorts, had booths set up to sell their goods. It was bigger than I thought, two stories and quite long. I saw a leather vendor and asked if they made stampede strings that you attach to your cowboy hat so your hat doesn't fly off your head, since I was interested in buying some, but the vendor didn’t have any or know what those were. He had tons of belt buckles that were fun to look at. Lots of candy, jewelry, soaps, and fruit and veggie stands filled the vending booths. And of course the fish and seafood vendors. I got to see a vendor famously throw a fish from out front to the vendor in the back to be packaged up for a customer. It flew through the vendors' store and into the hands of the other vendor effortlessly. We walked the lower level and looked at the magic shop, the big sign that showed the height of the tallest person in the world (8.11ft), and some more fun little shops. We went looking for a place to eat and stopped in at a chocolate shop. I bought a caramel apple and my cousin got a few things too. We walked back towards the car and stopped in at Pike Place Chowder to have some clam chowder. It was just as good as the clam chowder I had in Maine while on my test road trip in February with my van. Next, we drove past the stadiums, around the International District, and over to a park along a nice beach. There were a good amount of people at this park playing volleyball, having picnics, flying kites, and walking the beach. There were lots of small sailboats out on the water and even saw a group of women getting out of the cold water too. After, we stopped at the Fremont Troll, which is a big sculpture of a troll under a bridge in the town of Fremont.

We then went to the park that was in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You where they played paintball. It looked different than it had in the movie but the view of the water, city, and many sailboats was really cool. It was a nice park. We then went back to my cousin's house and I met one of his roommates. We waited for his girlfriend to get there before going out for dinner. We tried to go to an Irish pub but it was really busy with a trivia night so we went to a nice Mexican restaurant instead. It was also busy but not as bad. We ordered some drinks as we waited for a table. It wasn’t long before we were sitting and eating some really good Mexican food. My cousin ordered churros for dessert, which were really good. It was pretty late at this point, around 9:30 pm so they dropped me off at the ferry. Two men were racing up the stairs so I helped one lift his golf bag so that we would all make the ferry in time. I got my ticket and quickly boarded the ferry. I watched as the lit-up city grew smaller and smaller from the view at the back of the ferry. Everything was bright and tall. The ferry ride went by quickly again and my uncle was there to pick me up. We went back to the house and were both tired from the day and went to bed. It was a really great day seeing the gardens, the city, and doing so many great activities. Another great day.