Seattle

We arrived in Seattle Friday evening and left Monday morning. I had my interview Saturday morning, and then after that we had a chance to see a little of the city. We had a quick lunch at a little pizza place and then went back to the hotel. Our Saturday afternoon activity was taking the ferry to Bainbridge Island. It took a little longer to get there than I had planned, mostly because I forgot to account for down time. It was almost 2 by the time we departed, and the sky was overcast. We came back on the 3:30 ferry and it was practically dark. On a prettier day, the ferry gives great views of the mountains. We at least had good views of downtown Seattle and we got to see many birds plus a sea otter. My favorite bird of the afternoon was an adult male Surf Scoter. Back on the mainland, we had dinner at an Indian restaurant, which was okay. It wasn't even as good as the Sitar, much less the India Cafe. We walked around for a while trying to figure out what bus to take. Finally we just go on one going near the Westlake Center and then just walked the 3/4 mile from there back to the hotel. Our hotel, btw, was awesome. Upon arriving and after walking from Westlake Center, we discovered they had a free shuttle that went to the Westlake Center, the Convention Center, and the Space Needle. We made good use of it. They also had a free breakfast and the rooms were comfortable and had a refrigerator. I enjoyed their breakfast each day.

Sunday was my favorite day. I got up early, had breakfast, then took two buses to get to Discovery Park. Around 9:00 I met a fellow birdwatcher who helped me find 4 more life-birds. I birded with him right up until the time my return bus left at noon. I got back to the hotel at 12:50 and I hadn't had lunch yet. I had to take the 1:00 shuttle to the Convention Center, so I hurriedly changed clothes and threw my hairbrush and make-up in the bag. By 1:10 I was at the Convention Center, so I made myself presentable then had lunch at the same place as Saturday. I attended a great panel on empathy and literature. My husband met me at 3:00 (he had gone to see Bruce Lee's grave) and we went to Westlake Center, where we took the monorail to the Space Needle. Sunday's weather was much better than Saturday's so we could actually see Mt. Rainier. We went back to the Westlake Center for dinner. They have the best food court I've ever seen in a mall. There was an Indian place, a crepe place, and a Mediterranean place, along with a few standards like McDonald's and Sbarro's. I had the falafel plate and enjoyed it very much. We took the hotel shuttle back to the hotel. And that's pretty much the trip.

I'd like to spend about 10 days in the area someday. I need about 2 days just for Discovery Park. Then there's Alki Beach, the Montlake Fill, and of course the Olympic Peninsula. And it might be fun to do more touristy things like Seattle Underground. 

Today has been my least favorite day of the trip--traveling back.