Seattle Uncovered

Welcome to my hub. Before I begin this tale of insight into one of my favorite cities, it probably would serve you best to know a bit about me. I'm a student. I've driven coast-to-coast and lived a life of adventure. I spent a summer living in the Northwest and immediately fell in love. I've been going to Seattle since I was a boy, back in the days of the Kingdome. I love the Mariners.

Now to begin:

As I've said, I'm a college student, so I have a limited budget. Thankfully, I had a free flight, due to voluntarily giving up my seat on an overbooked flight last summer. Any person that relatively has no strings/few responsibilities, I suggest you do this. It landed me a $400 flight voucher. I also, having previously lived in the Northwest, had friends willing to let me crash on their couch. So all I had to pay for was food/entertainment/alcohol. Nothing out of the ordinary.

Like any other Seattle day, it was wet outside, but not wet enough to really soak the clothes. Since I was getting in late, we decided to take I-5 and stop at the nearest teriyaki restaurant which I have been so deprived of in the Midwest (it's a must for visitors). After having our fair share of food, we went to the nearest liquor store/convenience store to get Fireball (a Canadian Whiskey) and Red Hook Pilsner.

Yup, it'll be that kind of trip.

Following a night of heavy drinking, we got up and made our way to the EMP/Sci-Fi Museum, which at the moment has an awesome Avatar exhibit! Then, we went down to Pike's Place Market and wandered for the better half of the afternoon. Locals and visitors alike can easily spend many hours here, gathering fresh produce, meats, baked goods, coffee, or local made crafts. For example, I bought:

• Vanilla powder, Salmon rub and Cinamon Orange Tea from Market Spice
• A jar of Hot Lime Jelly from Micks
• A half dozen cinnamon doughnuts
• A leather bracelet (for the girlfriend)
• Starbuck's Souvenir Coffee Mugs
• A few street performer CDs (the group in front of Starbuck's: A Moment In Time)

This is only a small sample of what can be found at the market, as fish and other crafts/foods are available.

After the market stop/wandering around we ventured down to the Safeco Field so I could purchase a Mariners shirt and have a beer at the Pyramid Brewery across the street - I suggest their hefeweizen. After a few rounds we decided to head to a local bookstore that I fell in love with as a kid, Elliot Bay Book Company. Its a neat store that sadly changed locations, but kept its charming feel of wood shelves and staff recommendations galore. After purchasing a thriller for the plane ride Home, we change venues and make our way to the U district, where we found a local brewhouse that turned out to be not my favorite, and, in fact, the name escapes me at this point. All I know is I was not a fan of their Ski Lift beer. After struggling through the thick beer, we retire back to my friends apartment and start attacking the Fireball again.

The next day we took a trip driving around the state, listening to music, catching up, and adoring all the different sights of snow capped mountains, frozen lakes, and fields that stretch for miles.

Following the drive, we arrive at my friends parents house and crash, as our two day binge has consumed all energy we once had. We wake up the next day and drive back to the city so that I can catch my flight home.

In summary, the Northwest and Seattle are a great place to spend a little or a lot of time uncovering treasures unique to the culture of the USA. It is a timeless place that can and should be revisited several times. Until next time, go M's!