Seattle's Best...

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It was a Wednesday morning as we soared over Mount St Helens and landed in Washington State. The fog was heavy and the air was painfully crisp. As we deboarded, I was swept away into a transic daydream of a Twilight chapter or some version of a vampire film where sunlight is a rarity and the people mope around all somber-like. Nevertheless my blood was going. I had always wanted to visit this Northwestern state and all its beauties...it was fresh and stimulating and thats exactly how I like it.

So we hopped in a rental and made our way Downtown where the city pulsates and the coffee continuously brews. The W Hotel Seattle was conveniently located in the heart of the city and made the access to shops and cafes very simple. We made our way down the city's steep slopes (and I mean steeeep) towards the waterfront known as Waterfront Park. This area extends from Pier 57 to Pier 59 offering clear cut views of the city skyline, the ships in drydock and Blake Island across the bay. Walking along the "park's" walkways we passed several contemporary fountains, the famous Seattle Aquarium, as well as plenty of seafood spots catching us with their lighted signs. To them we will return...

As we made our way up the old wharf, we headed towards Pike Street where the world famous Pike Street Market stood. Starbucks opened its first store here in 1971. It seems the company did well because there was literally a Starbucks every two steps throughout the city...it became a joke. The original store still holds its original look, giving the market a vintage appeal. This open air market is no joke (if you watch the Food Network, you've seen the specials). People come from all over the world to watch their famous crew of fishmongers throwing fish while singing and interacting with customers. They also come to buy some of the best seafood and have it shipped home; everything from smoked salmon, white fish, peel and eat shrimp, Alaskan Snow Crab and Dungeness (enormous and delicious) Cooked Crab, mussels, prawns, lobster tail, oysters, scallops, and clams! We watched as the fish handlers sang along while tossing fish from hand to hand and placing them on ice. And if you give them a tip...they'll sing to that too.

They actually provided us with one helpful tip when it came time for a lunchbreak (thanks guys)...Place Pigalle; a delicious restaurant hidden behind the fish throwers of the Pike Street Market and overlooking Elliot Bay. By far the BEST French onion soup ever tasted. As the bay caught the glows of sunset, the wine and warmth didnt hurt either. I highly recommend this gorgeous look-out, it served gratifying food for the soul.

After lunch and some walking past various stands of fresh produce, seafood, and flowers we left the marketplace in search for the monorail that would whisk us away from downtown Seattle to Seattle Center, home of the Space Needle. This tower of light definitely holds its presence in the city as it gapes above the tallest highrises and mountain ranges; or at least it seems. Once inside, you can access the observation deck and restaurant via an elevator that shoots you up at 10 mph in a glass dome. We watched as the city grew smaller beneath our feet and the once tangible holiday-adorned streets seemed light years away. Once at the top and 20 degrees colder you have the world at your fingertips. Literally. Pointing in any direction you could almost grab a city skyscraper, a mountain's peak, or an enormously sized pine tree...lit or unlit for the holidays. It was beautiful to see. Indoors on the deck, one can take in some information about this city's popular landmark by listening to a little history (ahemmm, the Needle was built in 1962). Or discover more about the different neighborhoods that comprise the city such as the International District known for its population of Asians and Native Americans, or the Pioneer Square, a much visited historic district downtown.

Now the SkyCity restaurant has been featured in movies and as much as I dont want to rip on it, I cant say I was tempted to try it. I wreaked of "tourist" as it was so with that said it was grub time with the locals. That would bring us back to the city's waterfront where we had previously spotted an enticing deal...The Crap Pot. We made our way down Pine Street towards the pier passing high end boutiques and wine bars. I cant lie, it was freaking cold but the buzz in the air from the cable cars, pedestrians, and city lights really brought about a pleasant vibe. So far, I had been very impressed with Seattle. The city hadnt skipped a beat. Every corner was well laid out with rich character in arquitecture and decor. Variety never fell short, even when it came to coffee.

Reaching The Crab Pot we were seated under heated warmers and given bibs. The chowdown was about to begin. We chose the Westport Seafeast where you're given a large pile of seafood goodness on some newspaper and you just gotta go at it. Add some butter or hot sauce and crack the shells open. The platters come with everything from crab, mussells, clams, shrimp, sausage, corn, oysters and lobster. Again, another excellent meal. I got my eye on you Seattle, you're doin good. Check them out on www.thecrabpotseattle.com

The next day after a (what a surprise) Starbuck's stop, we took a drive West through the Cascade Mountain Range towards the city of Wenatchee, the Apple Capital of the World. Yup. The trip from Seattle is a short 3 hours away and on a clear day it's probably one of the most beautiful Ive ever taken...by car. The cliffs show off their greenery as running rushes of blue spill below. With every twist and every next turn, the mountains displayed a new stage. Sometimes snow capped, sometimes pine. It was an "ooooh, ahhh" kinda moment throughout.

The city sounds more like a preserve, small and simple; but it actually holds more than the name would give it credit for. Passing ski slopes, water dams and picturesque towns along the freeway, its clear you are approaching some sort of civilization. Wenatchee sits in a valley and although there's a permanent haze of clouds that hang out overhead, the city offers wine touring, antiquing, hiking, biking, river rafting, golfing, fishing, and festivals...and did I mention the apples?

Once in Wenatchee we enjoyed an all-American afternoon in the mountains, sippin some coffee and overlooking the landscape below. There were fields of apple trees and pear orchards everywhere. The sunset came close to 5pm and moon being full brought out the deer. It was no longer safe to return to Seattle with unlit roads and wild bambi's on the loose so Wenatchee it was for the night. After some fruit salad consisting of apples, peaches, and more apples...we made our way into town to grab some drinks at Bob's Classic. This was an old cabin-like sports bar packed with Wenatchee locals and a lot of hype. The menu was classic American style dining but surprisingly varied and the beers were cold and coming. Best part was it was Ladies Night...which made the men happy since the ladies were happy (and drinking).

After another all-American breakfast of applepie (just kidding) at The Wild Huckleberry in the morning, we were back on our way to Seattle for another scenic route through the snow. No deer this time. The winding roads proved right again as the white ice spread across us and even gave us occasional icicle spottings.

Back in Seattle the day was sunny yet the Pacific winds brought air so cold it could cut me in half. We decided to head North this time towards British Columbia for some lunch. But that my friends is a whole other story if and when I get around to it...

For now, let's keep it in one state, the state of Washington which left its weight and impression on me, all in good ways. The best...

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