I was going to start this post saying how day 2 in Seattle (Sunday 11/24) started out so leisurely, which I LOVE on vacation, but then I was like… “wait, but weren’t we like… out the door for our day by 9:00?!”

Then I remembered. I was on central time and up before 6:00. I went downstairs to start painting then Val showed up and she did too. Then Christina and I went to the local grocery store (it’s so fun to check out grocery stores in a new town!) then we went back, and we all went for coffee at a place recommended by the Airbnb owner, then we left, by 9:00 for our big day.

Phew.

Oh! As I am writing this, I’m remembering a conversation Snis and I had with a local the night before when we were parking the car and the local was walking her horse (maybe a Newfoundland? so big!). She was telling us which grocery stores to go to, and which to avoid, and she recommended a Mexican place to us (which we walked by, but never made it to). We talked to several locals and got recs from them (including the place we’d go to for lunch later in the day). Anyway. Not sure why I had to share that. For my memory’s sake. Moving on.

We decided to walk down to Pike Place Market and walk back (35 mins each way). I love seeing famous places like this that I’ve seen in movies and heard people talk about visiting. I never realize it until I’m there, but I’ve always created some image of the famous place in my head that never matches up! Not that I’m disappointed, but that it’s not what my brain created. For example, I was expecting the market to have higher ceilings. Random, right?

We enjoyed the shops around it, and the shops in it. We were all grossed out by the gum wall (which had recently been cleaned, but people were starting up again, ew). For lunch we went to a place with fresh pasta – Pasta Casalinga – that a local had recommended to us in line at Starbucks the day before. I’m usually not a red sauce girlie, but the simple flavors and homemade pasta hit the spot!

We walked around a bit more, a little down the pier, then back up to Pike Place to hit up the Original Starbucks. On the way there I gasped when I walked by an open bakery that had vegan snickerdoodles – my favorite! I HAD to get one! Another person getting a cookie laughed at how excited I was – but nicely – we passed him later and he was all “did you get your cookie?” I SURE DID! I had it later in the day and it was amazing.

What can I say. I get REALLY excited about food.

Back to Starbucks – we’d heard the lines were better in the afternoon and they were! We waited less than 20 minutes then were let in. Let me tell you, this Starbucks has it DOWN! It’s a tiny space (hence the line and multiple staff directing you) but it didn’t feel nutso in there – you’re directed to the counter to order drinks and merch from a barista (I got the almond milk sugar cookie latte with their special Pike Place blend coffee and a Pike Place Been There mug) then you go to another side to wait for your order. The staff were super friendly, and there is even someone walking around to take photos. A+ experience!

After that we walked back to our Airbnb and I lost my shit when I saw a döner kabob place! I’ve been dreaming about the one we had in Germany and knew I’d be back to try this one!

When we got back to our place a local rock painting friend, also named Carrie (ha!), was there to hang out with us and paint! We hadn’t met her in person before and had such a nice time chatting and painting together.

After she took off, Tiff, Val, and I went to the top of the Space Needle. What a trip that was! The night views were super cool, but the moving floor on the lower level made me feel dizzy and drunk!

After that I got my döner kabob (5/10, eh), Snis picked up Thai, and Tiff and Val got burgers from a local place. Then we hung out and painted. A full, fun day!

Seattle trip recap! Let’s do this!

I was in Seattle Saturday November 23rd – Tuesday November 26th with Tiff and Val AND MY SNIS! Tiff, Val, and I scheduled this trip right after we saw each other in August and I mentioned it later to my snis and she told me how she’d love to see Seattle and I was like “why don’t you join us?” I was so excited when she said yes! It was even more fun having her there. We rarely get time together without the family so it’s extra special when we do.

Funny thing though, I hardly saw her at all on our first day there! She got in hours before us and took a rental car to Forks and La Push since she’s a Twilight fan and these locations are featured in the books. She loved it – the beautiful drive, seeing the towns, and accidentally taking the ferry back (ha, more on that below). I was so happy she got to do that! It was high on her bucket list.

The morning of the flight, my snis text me that she had a cat in her security line, then I did, then Val did too! We knew that was the sign it was going to be a great trip!

This was my flight I splurged on first class for and I was pretty excited! I left around 10:00 am CT and landed just after 12:00 PT – a comfortable four hour flight that I spent all of reading. One downer – American Airlines put a fish meal instead of a vegan meal on the plane for me (?????) so I didn’t get a meal. The flight attendant was super apologetic and it’s not her fault (which I kept telling her) but I did feel sad I didn’t eat anything they were offering me. Womp womp. I had been excited about that! But you know me, I had snacks! And was VERY excited about our dinner plans!

Tiff met up with me when I landed, we got my bag, met with Val, then ubered to our Airbnb. It was this cute townhouse in the Queen Anne neighborhood, within walking distance to the Space Needle.

We dropped our bags and checked out the area, and the sun actually came out. That was the only time on our entire trip!

I was surprised by all the cool things around the Space Needle. Not because I didn’t think there would be any, but because I had done very little research and planning for this trip. That’s my MO when I travel lately – focus on my “must do things,” and figure out the rest when I get there.

All that to say, there was the Space Needle, the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Seattle Center, the Museum of Pop Culture, the Pacific Science Center, a playground, a children’s museum, and more! We enjoyed walking around and chatting, and made our way over to the Olympic Sculpture Park (which had a Calder) then back to our Airbnb, where our friend (and my coworker) Carrie was picking us up for dinner! (This was me and Val’s second time hanging out with Carrie in person!)

So, dinner. My friend from the salon recommended this place called Din Tai Fung. We drove to it and it was on the top level of a mall and I was kind of like… er, is this place going to be good?

Folks, it was probably the best Asian food I’ve ever had! It was family style, and we shared dumplings, buns, wontons, string beans, bok choy, noodles, and rice cakes. Hands down the best string beans I’ve ever had. And I will be dreaming about those chewy rice cakes for years. Please go if you can!

After that we got cookies, walked around some more, then Carrie drove us back (so nice of her to come all the way to the city from the house outside of town where she lives).

When we were getting back my snis called to tell me she was following GPS and was surprised it lead her to the ferry, and wasn’t sure what to do or if it would make her arrive later. It actually saved time though and was a fun experience for her and inspired us to try it later in our trip.

When she arrived (around 8:40) we talked about her and our days, and maybe even painted a little? It was a great first day!

I was sharing a room with my snis and every night ended with us giggling about something in bed. I loved it!