the big three.

Last weekends trip to Seattle. Portland. Vancouver. had been booked for about a month and a half (well before the days of Colorado – dipping in the vacation bucket two weekends in a room hit multiple facets of my life hard). The only things we booked were the plane tickets, hotels, rental car, dinner at the Space Needle and a tour of the Campilano Suspension bridge… to the average person that might seem like a lot, but our days were wide open until the week before. So Anna let me do the planning, and I went a little crazy. I searched and searched for fun things to do – I planned as if we were going to be there for a week instead of three days – I was just that excited. Fortunately though we managed to pick some pretty amazing stops…

Here are my favorite three a.k.a. the big three:

1. Mount St. Helen – it was gorgeous.. we didn’t exactly know how far we were going to be able to drive up the road to see it. When knew that at some point the road (we were told mile 36 was the stopping point) was going to be layered with snow (and with Sophia the Kia… well the name says it all) so we didn’t want to push it too far (but went to 38 or 39). Without a doubt, if you ever go out west… go to Mount St. Helen, in the winter time.. please. You will be utterly amazed at God’s majesty. Thanks God for being so creative, I’ll never get tired of your creation.

Our last view of Mount St. Helen:

There were at least 9 inches of fresh untouched powder on top of the snow - we just sank

2. Space Needle / Sky City – I know what it’s like to view a city from an observation deck… it’s gorgeous, breath-taking, a view with seeing, but this was my first time eating at a restaurant that had a view of the city (and it revolved – twice while we ate!). Our reservations were at 5:30 – strategically planned so that we could be there while it was still light outside and to watch the full sunset. It was indescribable. We were able to see Mount Baker, Mount Rainer, the city skyline, the pier, everything! God immensely blessed us with sunshine on the one full day we spent in Seattle. As we road up the elevator in Space Needle, the woman told us that we were there on one of the 100 days out of the year that you can actually see the city (and those days rarely come in the winter – summer is more ideal). Knowing that we had planned the trip over a month in advance not knowing the weather and everything else, it was perfect – thanks God!

oh you know.. there's just a mountain hanging out in the city background

3. Pike Street Public Farmers Market – I could have stayed at the Farmers Market for hours (silly parking meters and few coins)! It was magnificent, without a doubt my favorite part of the trip and what I had been looking forward to the most (which sometimes can be a let down). I just kept thinking, I want to see someone fling some fish around (I had seen it on tv before)… well I definitely got my wish. The fishermen on the pier were so entertaining – mad props! It’s as if they are stage performers, and the market is their stage. I took countless pictures of the fresh flowers, fruit, seafood and other goodies. The set up, scenery, workers and shoppers made the Farmers Market one of a kind. It made me wish I lived in Seattle. I’d love to go back to just spend a day to take more photos.

I wanted to eat everything! so fresh!

The trip was perfect. I have so many new travel memories… and so thankful to have a great friend like Anna to travel with. I’m also excited about staying at home with no travels… well for the next month.