Day 44 - Post Script 6 October

So we fly home today. However, our flight is not until tonight so we checked out of our hotel, leaving our bags with them, and headed into the city one last time.

Seattle had put on a pearler of a day - mild and sunny. She was dressed in beautiful autumn colours too.

As the light rail was interrupted with maintenance, we decided to take the bus all the way. So we took the #124, which we had taken to the Museum of Flight on Thursday. Saturday ticketing is also cheaper so we both got into town and back for the price of a return ticket for one. It was interesting passing through the suburbs, some better than others, some going through what seemed to be urban renewal.

The trip into the city was just to visit Pike Place Market. Although we had been there on a previous visit to the city, it's always fun visiting a market. I was brought up visiting all manner of markets when I was a child growing up in England, so it's something I'm familiar with.

After a short while wandering, we found a place serving TEA AND CRUMPETS!!! It was good tea too 😀

Then we wandered some more, found a bakery to buy something to keep us from starving from hunger on our first leg to SFO, then meandered back to the bus stop.

So that's my post script, typed while we sit for a few hours at the airport waiting for our flight.

We've loved every minute of our trip.

Picked up a photo we missed as we passed the Museum of Flight on the bus

Such beautiful fresh fruit, vegetables, flowers, meat, fish

Didn't catch any fish throwing today

Our afternoon tea stop

Real leaf tea! Delicious!

Quite a queue for this place

This chowder must be well known and good!

Lots of lovely trees at the bus terminal

Day 43 - Seattle 5 October

Raining today. We had anticipated this weather, so undaunted we made our way to the light rail once again to go into the city. Today we have planned to do Bill Speidel's Underground Tour. It did involve some visits to 'above ground' but it was not too bad.

The tour was very interesting, more a history lesson of how the current city of Seattle developed after a fire in 1889 destroyed the city. As a result the current city is some 20 feet above the original street level.

We continued on into Downtown to browse some more shops - no more purchases. It's really the wrong time of year for us to be shopping in America!

So all in all it's been such a wonderful trip. I hope you have enjoyed travelling along.

A diagramatic drawing of how the new city developed with roads higher up than the side walk

This area of the city has so much potential, but sadly it is very run down

Pioneer Square could offer so much more

Day 42 - Seattle 4 October

We relaxed at the hotel this morning. Sleeping in has not been part of this trip, we need to try and return to our normal routine. After breakfast we spent some time planning our next couple of days then had one more cup of tea then headed out. Today we were taking a bus to the Museum of Flight. Quite an adventure - riding the bus - but it got us to where we needed to go.

The Museum of Flight was amazing. If you every have time in Seattle I suggest you work out how to get there. It's not really very conveniently located if you are staying in the city. As we were staying out near the airport, taking public transport was a breeze - if an interesting experience of another aspect of American life!

After five hours wandering about the numerous exhibits, we headed back to where we had planned to have dinner - Denny's Diner. We had eaten at this franchise when we first went to Hawaii many years ago so decided to give it a try here on the mainland. It was easy enough for us to share a plate. Just as well we did!

One last full day here then we make our merry way home on Saturday.

Entrance to the Museum of Flight a tribute to Lt Col Michael Anderson, Space Shuttle Columbia 

Concorde interior

Concorde flight deck

Air Force One circa 1950s to early 60s

Engine of Boeing Dreamliner

Dreamliner flight deck

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Day 41 - fly to Seattle 3 October

Our flight to Seattle was at 9.05, so we left Kennewick for Tri-Cities airport at 7.30. We had only to check in our luggage as we had processed online check in yesterday.

After saying goodbye to Anita and Jim for everything, we checked our bags. We did not have long to wait. The flight is only short. Clear skies all the way. Mt Rainier was right off to the right of the plane, we were on the left so could not get a good view. However, Mt Baker was in clear view off in the distance on our side.

After collecting our luggage (the only two checked bags on the flight!) we called for the shuttle to our hotel. We were able to check in straight away which was great. Very good front desk staff. We settled ourselves in then headed off into the city on the light rail. A change to the monorail and we were at the Space Needle complex. We visited Chihuly Glass and Gardens first as there was going to be an early closure due to a function. Then we went up the needle. The weather was still clear so the views were very good.

We had something to eat early in town then headed back to Sea-Tac.

A beautiful sunrise greeted us on our last morning with Anita & Jim

Mt Rainier as we saw it from the light rail

Space Needle

Chihuly Glass exhibition

View of Mt Rainier from the Space Needle

On the revolving glass floor

It is quite some mountain