Seattle

We had to escape from noise yesterday. More power washing, more equipment running, more annoyance at the apartment… so we fled west to the city once again. And I think we must have walked 10 miles – from one end to the other and back. There is a park at the end of the waterfront district that goes north way past Queen Anne Hill which we walked through, and then we went south, back to Pioneer Square – on the other end of the city – to Smith Tower. Quite a trip.

(And yes, we stopped for lunch, and found Stikine River King Salmon from Wrangell, Alaska on the menu and had to have some, of course. Yum!)

Smith Tower is quite the place. For many years the tallest building west of the Mississippi, it is still the best vantage point in Seattle – including a straight view back to the Space Needle. Just to give you some perspective, this picture was taken about halfway through the park at the north end of the city, with a view back to the Needle and the Seattle Skyline. If you can pick out the tiny spire that is the very last building you can see of the 'big' city – that is Smith Tower. (And yes, there is a grain elevator in front of the city - oh well. They wouldn't move it for the picture. But if you can make out the cruise ship at the pier, Smith Tower is the pointy building just to the left of it.)

Alternatively, here is the view from Smith Tower, back toward the Needle:

Pretty impressive, huh? Yes, we walked the whole way. (And, of course, back to the car again!) We were beat. But what a day!

(More pictures and description on my website if you are interested.)