We're up early to vacate the rooms to be readied for the next group of cruisers. I glance once last time at my lovely balcony and head down to collect children. We have a final meal on board and proceed to the choreographed removal of passengers and our cargo. Finding all of our bags in the cruise terminal, it's quickly determined that there is no possible way we will all fit in one car/taxi. We wait - a.very.long.time - in the taxi stand and -finally!- split into 2 cabs for the short drive to our Seattle hotel.
We are staying near Seattle Center (and the Space Needle) due to it's proximity to Seattle's International Beer Festival. (No, not kidding.) It's not exactly a cheap hotel (only 2 stars, and not M. Dulac approved: they will be staying out by the airport for a cheaper rate in a nicer hotel) and has much O.W.C. (Old World Charm - Arden Hofler). It's literally across the street from Key Arena. And in the "international district" with a bevy of good restaurant choices. I'm not sure how old the Inn at Queen Anne actually is- but the rooms have a bedroom, small kitchenette, bathroom, and huge closet. Parts are updated, the rest is still back in 1957. It feels like staying at your grandmother's house. We have 2 rooms, one upstairs and one down. The boys are upstairs and Julia is with us. Her bed is in an alcove off main room - ("Look it's the cupboard under the stairs from Harry Potter!," Sarah Dulac) Happily, the lovely staff at the Queen Anne is ready to check us in, even though we've arrived early in Seattle (again) at 10 am at a hotel. We unpack a bit - I am on unsteady legs, a little souvenir from the week long cruise.
We head out toward Seattle Center in search of the Monorail - cutting edge technology at the time, Disneyland ride to us now - and take a remarkably short ride. We end up at a mall - and elect to eat lunch at the food court. Dosed up with McDonald's, the kids are happy. Dosed up with Mediterranean and Indian, so are we. After waffling a bit on Seattle activity possibilities, we decide to purchase City Passes: giving us 6 attractions for a discounted price. Now it's just a matter of deciding what order to visit the attractions.
After a stop at what we think is the first Starbuck's (it's not: and their coffee is still bad - even in the birthplace) we (ironically) pick the harbor cruise as our first attraction. It's the first really sunny hot day of the year for Seattle and it feels good to be out on the water. The kids grump about being on the boat and don't want to go up on deck. They all proceed to fall asleep. I enjoy feeling steady back on a rocking boat and 'get on top' to enjoy the views of Seattle and Mt. Ranier.
Next to the harbor cruise is the Aquarium - and it's the next stop for us after a quick soda and ice cream break. Unfortunately, the walking along the waterfront keeps taking us by an annoying political party group verbally assaulting the tourists and trying to convince us that Obama is as evil as Hitler. Complete with mustached portraits. I'm all for freedom of speech, so I laugh happily at the old man who passes the group with his pronounced middle finger waving in the air at them.
In the Aquarium, Edwin takes a little while to get into it. He's still kind of tired and cranky. But once he gets to the interactive tide pools, he's perked up and we stay until the aquarium closes. We all really enjoy ourselves at all of the exhibits - especially the octopus and sea otters. Making our way up all those steps from the waterfront to Pike's Place Market, whew! we get ourselves back to the hotel via bus. I've been pretty happy with the public transportation system in Seattle: it's a relatively easy city to get around, even with all those hills!
Brian scouts the neighborhood for eating options. He also grabs some breakfast items, and I'm happy we have those mini kitchen closets in our rooms. We order pizza for the kids and have it delivered to the hotel. They eat in the boys room and Brian and I go out to dinner around the corner at T.S. McHughs pub. The Guinness on draught is divine after a long day of sightseeing. Another short walk to the best grocery store in the world: Metropolitan Market. They have and entire deli section devoted to artisnal cheese. Cheese. Next to the cheese? Coffee bar. Heaven!!! It's an expensive store - like Whole Paycheck and Bristol Farms combined - but it is truly the best grocery store this suburban mom has ever been in.
Back to the hotel (and free wifi!) and a well-earned rest - Julia safely tucked away in her cupboard under the stairs.
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