Seattle

In middle of August, Maria Nate and I packed it up and headed north to Seattle.  We flew up and stayed with Frank and Rhonda.  Rhonda and Maria knew each other in high school.  They had been down to see us a couple of times and we were overdue for a visit to their hometown.

Met a friend I haven't seen since our days at Sac State.  Lloyd Levine and his wife Edie Lambert were flying to Seattle on the same flight as us.  Lloyd was a CA assemblyman until term limits ended that.  He continues to work in politics while his wife is the Channel 3 news anchor.  As we were in line waiting to board, Edie was in front of us, with their newborn and I'm standing directly behind her.  She tells the gate attendant that her husband is right behind her, which caused me to protest.  I quickly stated that I was not her husband, right as Lloyd comes running to the gate, saying he's here.  We instantly recognize his voice and Maria and I quickly greet him. We got a short to chance to catch up and see how they are doing.

Our tour guides, Frank & Rhonda took us on a tour of the downtown Seattle area.  First stop was Pike's market, great for fresh fish and produce.  Shayne had flown up from LA to join us for our trip up north and he enjoyed hanging with his new friend Royce, whom he met when they met us for skiing at New Year's.

Nate was not a fan of all the walking and quickly found a comfortable spot on my shoulders.  With all the people I'm sure it made the views much better for him.

Mmmm Crab. 

Nate trying to twist my head off.

Our little family photo.

We found one of the fish places selling Poke.  Nate was in heaven.  We eat it quite often when we're in Hawaii, but it's been awhile since we last went and he was excited to get his fresh fish cravings satisfied.

After enjoying lunch in downtown, we headed over to the space needle.  We had every intention of heading up, but the two and half hour line scared us off.  We thought we'd make it back before our trip was over, but never did.  Now we have another reason to come back.

Nate found a cozy place to rest while we checked into the line for the Space Needle.

Nate ready to go to the next stop.  He was a bit sad that we didn't go up, but he got some candy and a laser light toy gun which was all he really wanted anyway.

In front of the International Fountain, which is the same area as the Space Needle and the Seattle center.  Nate wanted to chase the water and it was quite the popular activity on this warm summer day.

Our hosts took us for a day of wine tasting.  First stop was Chateau Ste Michelle.

Frank and I enjoying the red wines.

Marisol and Rhonda getting their turn at the counter.  We went over to an area where Frank's office used to be and they had converted the old office park into a series of winery tasting rooms.  It was a really interesting idea.  Apparently most of the grapes are grown on the eastern side of Washington, but most people live on the western side. To bring the wine to the people, these wineries have established this small area with a high density of tasting rooms.  A great place to go visit 20-3o wineries all within walking, or stumbling distance of each other.

After spending the afternoon wine tasting we headed over to another of Maria's high school friends, Brett.

Brett and his wife Sonya at their home.

Brett works for a seafood company and brought us these amazing Alaskan King Crab legs.

To go with the surf, they had some beautiful filet's and several more bottles of wine.

The high school gang reunited.

Brett is also a big Scotch fan.  He brought out several bottles for us to sample.  While I enjoyed the 14 year old Balvenie, I could have done without the Ardberg Supernova as it was just too peaty for me.

Maria's favorite show is Northern Exposure.  While the thought never crossed her mind before we left, it quickly became a highlight of the trip when Rhonda suggested we travel to Rosalyn, the town where the show was filmed.

The town looks like it did in the TV show, and they clearly still use that as a tourist draw.

We had lunch at a place called the Brick.

Got a couple of photos at the bar, although not the same bar inside as what was portrayed on the show

Frank and Rhonda waiting while Maria ran from shop to shop to see where the radio station was, Joel's office, the general store etc.

On the way back from Rosalyn, we stopped at this little waterfall.

Can't say Nate was impressed.  By this time he was pretty bored with a day in the car touring things.  Besides he missed his new friends, Carson and Cole.

Here's an actual shot of the falls.  It's odd because it's in the middle of a long flat drive, you wouldn't expect theire to be any sort of water fall in the area.

Frank and Rhonda enjoying the view.

Carson, Cole and Nate hanging out.  Carson and Cole are Rhonda's grand kids.  Nate enjoyed hanging out with them and playing the whole time we were in Seattle.

Nate even got to go on his first real fishing trip

The boys sitting calmly trying to catch something, alas no luck.

We had a great time, can't wait to make it back.  Frank and Rhonda were great hosts.  While there was much more nostalgia for Maria I had a fun time.  It was nice to relax and get away for awhile.