Sea-ing Old Friends

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Friday and Saturday were spent enjoying Seattle and reconnecting with old friends. After a leisurely breakfast, we headed out to Pikes Market and the waterfront. Pike’s Market was extremely crowded as the summer vacationers were out in force. The flower stalls were colorful and the fish were flying.

From Pike’s we walked down Post Alley to the waterfront. At the top of Post Alley is the not-so-famous Gum Wall. I’m not sure where or when the tradition started, but you haven’t been in downtown Seattle until you chew a piece of gum and stick it to the side of the brick building. Some call it art, others Don’t.

We strolled along the waterfront and made our way to Ivar’s for clam chowder. Besides Salty’s, Seattle’s best seafood can be found at Ivar’s and Elliott’s on the Bay. You can’t beat the clam chowder at one and dungenous crab at the other.

Friday evening, Lani and I met up with Tom and Cari Beck in Bellevue. Tom and Cari worked at Progressive many years ago and we have kept in touch through the years. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together. Tom now works for Microsoft, and we were treated to a panoramic view from the 28th floor of the Microsoft building. We enjoyed reminiscing over the past 25 years.

On Saturday, we drove down to the lovely town of Puyallup to see our friend’s Pam and Jerry Nelson, and their daughter Christina, affectionately known as T. Pam and Jerry gave me my start in the IT world back in 1982. I tried my hand at selling at their store, The House of Computers. I didn’t sell much of anything; however, it paved the way for my career in IT for the past 30 years. P and J are also Caitlin’s Godparents..

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Photos

Pike's Market
Another shot of a very famous landmark.

Pike's Market
The flowers were colorfull and fragrant.

Pike's Market
Look out for low flying fish.

Gum Wall
That's a lot of chewing.

Post Alley
Got Gum !!

Seattle's Original Monorail
I rode this during the World's Fair in 1962.

Lincoln Square Lobby
There are several spectacular blown glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly in the lobby of Lincoln Square.

An Italian Feast in Bellevue.
Tom, Paul, Lani and Cari as viewed by our waiter.

Outside Maggiano's
Filled up with pasta.

Tom and Cari Beck
Relaxing on the 28th floor of the Microsoft building in Bellevue.

Pets in Puyallup ?
A nosy racoon sniffs out his dinner.

The RAM in Puyallup
Finally, some beef in our diet.