September Seattle Trip #2

Greetings from the slacker blogger. Lately it seems that someone’s (not exactly sure whose but someone’s) expectations of my life have gotten in the way of my expectations of my life. Thankfully everything seems to be slowly returning to normal so maybe I’ll be able to do a better job of getting things caught up in the blogging world. Here's hoping.

So, a couple weeks after this trip it was necessary to return to Seattle for a quick, overnighter. I contacted Kara and she was thrilled to have me stay again, especially so soon. And I was just as thrilled. So I put Dan on a plane to Phoenix for a week of trainings for work, went to work myself for a couple hours (I'll be doing a general update and talk more about this then), and when that was finished I was began driving off into the sunset.

Thankfully the sunset was gorgeous. So beautiful I just had to stop at a rest stop just west of Yakima and snap a few pictures (which don't really do it justice of course).

You can't see it because of the cloud cover but when we drove through this time we could clearly see Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood on each side of us from this same spot.

I arrived at Kara's and we visited late into the night. Poor Dan had fallen completely asleep in his hotel room waiting for me to call him for our scripture reading and nightly prayers. Quick reading and prayers for us that night.

The next morning I had a few minutes to kill and chose to do so here...

 This was just the parking lot!!! Complete with....

This....

...felt forever away.

I had only 10 minutes to wander through the store. Though I can do lots of damage with only 10 minutes in IKEA, I didn't spend any $$$ but did find a headboard/footboard I loved as well as a couch, both of which were on SALE!!!! Neither of which have been, nor will be, purchased anytime soon. :'(

After IKEA I headed into downtown Seattle. I had directions (thank you Google Maps!) and finally made it only a little turned around and few minutes late (thank you Google Maps!).

When the appointment, which brought me to Seattle in the first place, was completed, I wanted to meander to (can you meander in a car???).... 

Ultimately for a stop here...

While trying to find my way to Pike Place Market I was driving down a street I looked up to see...

  

Since I was going to be only a few minutes, I thought I'd look for a parking spot on the street. After only a couple trips around the block I parked by this...

I fed the meter with all my change which gave me 20 minutes to trek the round trip from the Seattle Art Museum to Pike Place Market. I booked it as fast as my little legs could go! As I was briskly walking I kept crossing my fingers that Le Painer had short lines. Well.....

SUCCESS!!!!!!

(My mouth is watering right now just thinking about the yummies I bought.)

For good or bad I purchased two pastries one for the drive home and one for the next day. I also learned, for good or bad, that they ship...no orders placed just yet but you never know....maybe it could be a fun treat to send to Amanda or Sid...or me...

With pastries in hand and after taking a picture for a couple women, one or two of my own, and buying a few postcards, I raced back to the car hoping the meter-maid (or whatever they are called) wasn't anywhere near. By my calculations it was a race between me and a ticket. However, when I got there I saw....

Time to spare, are you KIDDING ME?!?!?! Those 5 extra minutes would have been so well used shopping/taking pictures/eating/shopping/walking/shopping...if only I had known!

Despite the parking "issue" it was another beautiful, clear, sunny, and warm day in Seattle. The only bummer was the construction in the middle of Pike Market:

At least they were smart enough NOT to have this going on two weeks earlier.

While getting back into my car a duck drove by. Someday I want to take a tour in/on one of these.

The drive home was beautiful as well. I took a few shots of the gorgeous scenery trying to capture the last of the summer colors and warmth before rain, snow, and cold settle in...

I stopped for dinner and discovered this...

Such a super yummy salad! I had to take a picture so that I could try and recreate it at home (which I haven't done yet!). It was absolutely delicious. Amazingly enough here's where I bought it....

Definitely a quick trip but I managed to pack in some fun after business was taken care of and still made it home with time to spare before heading off to the Relief Society Evening Activity.

Thanks again Kara!!! So sad trip #3 has been so long in coming. The offer is open for whenever you want to come over to our side of the mountain.