Seattle - Last day

Last week I was in Seattle for the AAS 225th Winter meeting. Unfortunately I can down with something on the Monday. It wasn't a cold (it was too nasty for that) but wasn't the full flu (I still remember the days which you don't do when you have the flu!). I also lost my voice. On Wednesday. The day of my talk! Figures. So had to cancel the talk. :-( I started feeling a bit better Thursday (the last day!) and managed to meet with a few people. I went out for some drinks Thursday night, but was back at the hotel early. Still I managed to lose most of the weight I put on over Christmas so I guess there are some good points. Though going to have to go to the Doctors tomorrow so not all good. 

On Friday I had booked a tour with Shutter Tours around Seattle and after talking to the guy decided to go as there wasn't much walking involved. (I am pretty sure I have a chest infection as I get out of breathe walking more than a couple of meters.) And I was the only one on the tour so I had my own private tour. 

The first stop was Snoqualmie Falls, about a 20 mins drive outside Seattle. 

The top of the falls.

Getting pictures was tricky as the wind kept getting up the mist and covering the lens.  But I did get some nice pictures of mist!

The waterfall is behind there somewhere.

View when the mist clears.

The Snoqualmie tribe believe if they say their prayers at the bottom of the falls, the mist will carry them up to the moon, which created everything. And seeing the mists I can understand why.

The falls are actually 100 foot taller than Niagara, so were really impressive.

Brief good view

Before the mist rises again

 The second stop was in Freemont, a hippie area of Seattle. They had a competition to build a statue for under a bridge to brighten up the area. So of course, what better for under a bridge than a troll?

The Freemont Troll

With his car.

Under his bridge

 The next stop was Theo's, a chocolate sip which has chocolate tasting. This served as lunch!

So much choice.

Perfect for enjoying chocolate

After that we headed to the Commodore Park ship locks to have a look around.

Artistic shot

 Washington state have legalized marijuana so I guess they have to have some pot free zones.

good to know.

 The locks were cool, which some small and large boats going through.

Locks

Sailing off.

Colorful little tugs boats.

As we were watching the larger boat, we spotted a juvenile Bald Eagle having his lunch on the other side of the canal. He was huge and apparently are really rare in these parts.

Having lunch

And he happily sat and posed for me for quite a while. My guide, Terry, rushed off to get his camera. (Though he only got one shot in before the eagle decided he had had enough of the paparazzi.)

Posing

Chilling out.

 The guys on the large boat found this very funny but still posed for photos themselves. :-)

Happy!

Random bucket.

Off they sail into the distance

We  drove around some of the music spots including Kurt Cobain's house where he died and his bench. The guide was really informative about lots of little bits of Seattle. It was really interesting though I wish I could remember more of what he said.

Views of the Olympic forest 

The harbor

The last stop was at Kerry Park for a view over the city.

Mt. Reiner

The Space Needle, flying the Sea Hawks flag.

Seattle skyline.

harbor.

The guide dropped me off at the Pike market place and recommended a place to get good chowder. And it was really good! (First proper meal I had had in 4 days so that may have explained why it tasted so amazing!) I had a wonder around the markets for a bit. I would eat so much seafood if I lived there.

Plastic monk fish, moves and used to freak out tourists 

Market area 

They have random pigs everywhere. No idea why.

Sally the pig

 My last stop in Seattle was the bubblegum wall in Post Alley. This is truly gross! People started putting their bubblegum on the wall in this alley and it sort of spread down the alley. It is really nasty!

Dripping gum 

Lots of DNA sources.

People even write messages in bubblegum, like marry proposals. How romantic! :-(

"Will you marry me?"

 This wall is huge! It can melt during the summer and the floor is covered too. Just nasty!

All bubblegum covered. And shows just some of the wall.

Even covering the theater entrance.

After the ally, I headed to the airport hotel and spent the night watching TV and eating sushi in bed. I was asleep for 9pm (a common occurrence this week - such a party animal) before flying home early Saturday morning. Well, starting the flights. It was a long day and it's good to be back in my apartment. Even if it is much colder here!