Weekday Getaway

So when I knew Trinity had her fifth grade field trip right on our anniversary and Jeremy's birthday I sort of knew that I wanted to whisk Jer into the big city for some fun. We haven't ever really done the "tourist" thing in our own nearby city so what could be better to take his mind off his busy busy work schedule? We talked grandam into watching the boys (okay it wasn't that hard) and booked a hotel room right downtown. Monday we did the underground tour (interesting and cheesy but overall fun), the public library, and whatever that tower is that has the public observatory on the 70th floor. It was so funny to see Jeremy wig out whenever he looked straight down. Heights are not his favorite thing. 

 and I felt high when I was on the Big Wheel. . . .

 Hello Seahawks, some day I am going to one of your games!!!

 loved being near so many books!!!

typical soft blur of grey Seattle. 

 on the underground tour you get to see the "skylights" that currently exist in the sidewalks at ground level. So a little backstory, after a fire that burned down the entire downtown area the city wanted to rebuild in a way that got them out of the tidal muck but the business owners didn't want to wait to bring the dirt down from the steep hills around town down to the bay area so they began rebuilding immediately. The city said "fine we can't stop you but everything WE own, streets, etc are going to be built much higher". So the business section was rebuilt but the streets were built ten to thirty feet higher depending on the slope of the area.  First floors of old Seattle had to be reached by ladders that went from the street down to the ground level and these "skylights" were installed to allow light down to those floors. Can you imagine? whole blocks enclosed by these grids of tall streets?? These people were crazy. Needless to say you now enter many of those street level buildings at the third or fourth floor completely unaware that levels like that exist below you. Now you know. . . .

 the "red hall" of the public library

 that is not his Starbucks, He doesn't drink coffee. . .traitor.

a late dinner and dessert and day 1 is done.

On Tuesday we had breakfast at the hotel restaurant (bleh) and headed down to Pikes Place Market. Everytime I go there (about four times in my life) I'm reminded that I find it possibly the most tedious place on earth. We stopped into Anthropology. They have such beautiful clothes and displays.

hey ZACK if you ever come to town you will have to try this Ginger Beer place. It's all the rage.

                                                

after the Market we took the monorail to the EMP. PREPARE for picture OVERLOAD.

 the Chihuly glass garden is right next door to the EMP.

 this tower goes higher than you can see, has 700 instruments and 40 are programmed to play tunes you can hear through headphones

 gorgeous guitar gallery!

 up for a little old school nintendo? 

 the EMP is very shiny inside and out. I'm a fan.

washy washy

okay, on to the STAR WARS COSTUME EXHIBIT. Prepare to geek out. 

             

             

             

             

             

 um, yes I could have fit her costumes and yes I will play dress up ANY time. maybe not the bikini. .

             

                                         

                 

                 

                

                

                                     

                 

 this plaque made you realize that the actors in the newer films often worked so hard with only their costumes to give them an idea of what the computer generated surroundings would be. it shows pictures of scenes where they are working in blue screen and the later scene complete with background.

                 

the shots below were from the fantasy wing

 true wuv

more geek droolage

they also had a sci-fi section which had some charmers. . .

 back to the future hoverboards

 Alien

 Dr. Who

and Warfs' council robes and battlef 

(if that is how you spell that, I just watched them people, I didn't learn the language) They also had a small 12th man room that had some great video not to mention the Superbowl Trophy.

                         

needless to say we spent four hours there toodling

Then we had dinner at Palomino, Jer went to Macy's for hi annual I.NC. denim purchase and we went BACK to cheesecake factory for dessert. Shameless.

Our last morning we walked a mile for breakfast at Portage Bay Restaurant. YUM.

Then we hit the SAM.

My favorite installation was all the white Ford Tauruses they had suspended from the ceiling. That's the only car I have ever had besides my van and I LOVED that thing.

 Modern art, massive but boring

some of the displays of glass 

 this was a gorgeous piece of art capturing Mount Rainier

 lovely, sigh.

 I loved that the boys were blowing bubbles in this one

this one was done in the 14th century of a market day. You should have seen how perfect the little figures were right down to the tiniest ones in the background. Amazing! below is a current installation of Australian Aboriginal art painted on Eucalyptus Bark all centered around water. They were so meticulous and beautiful, by far my favorite exhibit open that day.

and then it was time to come home. 

Happy Birthday Daddy. Sorry Isaac is upstairs playing video games. . .lol