Spring Break #2: Sleepless in Seattle

(note: long, detailed post ahead. I apologize)
Yes, we just got back from Seattle and we lovedddd it! The first part of the break was spent with me mostly catching up on things for school, cleaning the apartment, and catching up on t.v. shows that I didn't really need to catch up on.

Thursday morning we arose before the sun and left for the Pacific Northwest. The drive didn't get interesting until La Grande, Oregon. Also, in Oregon, they pump your gas for you...just so you know. It was a shock to us and when we pulled in, we had no idea what was coming. It was very uncomfortable, and we purposefully avoided filling up in Oregon on the way back. Anyway, we got to La Grande and got to see some beautiful pine forests, followed by fields and fields of blossoming apple trees and grapes growing and a winding river next to us. Washington was also beautiful, and full of water everywhere! Raining water, water in creeks and rivers, and water in ponds. It was insane how much water there was!

Ian sleeping the drive away

We arrived in downtown Seattle around 5:30 pm, so we could park in a parking garage. Most of them close at 7pm and are also closed on the weekends. Terrible set up, but we got it worked out. Anway, Ian's friend Corey lives in an apartment directly in downtown, and he was nice enough to let us crash on his floor for the few nights we were there. It was so fun to be a floor above the streets (and let me tell you, I heard some great conversations and loved people watching while waiting for Ian to get ready in the mornings). Corey showed us how to work the train, and we ended up walking all over the city Thursday night. We walked through Pike's Place Market when it was completely empty, got to see "The Sound" for the first time, went through a sculpture garden, tasted some tea with a Chinese man, and walked around the Space Needle. We wound up at a delicious pizza place and walked back to the apartment. It was a great introduction to the city!

downtown Seattle

Ian and the Space Needle

Space Needle and beautiful tulips

Friday, Ian and I went up to University of Washington, a whole 10 minute drive from downtown (so convenient). Ian had his grad school program open house and I tagged along awkwardly. Whatevs. They didn't give us anything for free so I didn't feel bad at all...only awkward. They told us things about the curriculum and the course work and it was lunch time. We went over to "The Ave" as the locals call it, where an immense variety of delicious local restaurants were fighting for us to eat at. We chose a yummy Thai place (first time for me) where I had some delicious orange chicken! We loved that street. We went back and listened to students and career services talk, ditched the reception at the end, and explored campus. University of Washington is a beautiful campus! It had cherry blossom trees, beautiful evergreens, moss everywhere, and the architecture of the campus is breathtaking! Afterwards, we drove around the north end of Seattle just to see what the neighboring areas were like, and we even got to see the infamous Fremont Troll. We made it back to Corey's after scouring for a parking place that would let us get our car early Sunday morning, and went down to the water and ate fish and chips at Ivar's. SO delicious and worth the cold rain and soaking wet shoes afterwards.

University of Washington

Ian and the cherry blossom trees!

cherry blossom trees and campus

at the Thai restaurant on "the ave"

fish and chips!

Saturday, we had all day to explore the city. We also knew a storm would be blowing in (none of the wimpy rain Seattle is used to...real strong rain). We first went to Pike's Market Place (because it was my number 1 thing to do) and we strolled the isles and levels multiple times! We sampled jams and fruits and saw all the beautiful flowers I wanted to buy. Ian and I bought two of the largest plums I have ever seen and they were the best I had ever eaten. So yummy! I ended up buying a scrumptious chocolate cake called "Chocolate Dream" and didn't regret it, even though I shared with Ian and Corey. (We went with the motto "treat yo'self" and we only spent $10) I went to a city Target (to avoid some of the rain) and we got to see the infamous gum wall! We watched them throw fish (like on the bachelor) and that was super neat too! After we felt like we had conquered the market, we headed down to the water again because Ian wanted fish and chips...again. They both ordered fish, and I got a burger (and got some strange looks). I also totally understand why there are so many coffee shops in business in Seattle...and found myself buying some hot chocolate. Yum. We savored lunch and the shelter from the rain, and headed to Pier 52 to ride the ferry to Bainbridge! I had never ridden a ferry, so it was very fun and neat to see all the people in their cars to drive onto the ferry. We got to Bainbridge (like Park City, but an island and for sailboats) with the sun shining and wandered the streets. We went to a local cafe and got the best apple cider I've ever had. We wandered around the docks and watched people sailing. We then headed back to Seattle for a quick nap and then had to find dinner. We ended up at a small Italian restaurant with only 8 booths and the menu in Italian. I ended up with a delicious dish and we got tiramisu for dessert with the skyline drizzled in chocolate in the background.

the fum wall down Post Alley

flowers and flowers and flowers

Ian is corny.

downtown Seattle from the ferry port

fun sculpture on Bainbridge Island

best chocolate drizzle ever.

Sunday, we drove really early after walking in the rain to the car looking a bit like hobos. We met up with Katlin in La Grande, Oregon for lunch! It was great to see her after almost a year!

Katlin and I after lunch in Oregon

Anyway, our trip to the Pacific Northwest was fantastic and a great adventure. :)