Off this morning for the Underground Seattle Tour. Couldn't believe that when we got off the Link at Pioneer Square, that there wasn't a Starbucks in sight. There are over 500 in this city. But no fear, we walked 2 blocks and found one for breakfast. Then across the street for the start of the tour. We began in Doc Maynard's Public House where Chris, our tour guide, presented a history of the city, it's founders, and how the underground came to be. It's a fascinating history that came about because of the 6 June 1899 fire and how the city had to rebuild. The underground was really the first story of buildings with the street level being the 2nd story. There were even skylights on the sidewalks that let light into the lower levels.
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| Doc Maynard's Public House |
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| An underground crapper! |
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| Looking up through the sidewalk skylights |
Pioneer Square is beautiful area lined with Romanesque buildings and trees and where the actual city was founded.
After the underground tour, we hopped on our Emerald City Trolley for a Hop on. Hop Off tour. We stayed on through the entire look to get the whole tour before getting off at Pike Market. We enjoyed the many neighborhoods and all the interesting facts about Seattle, including the fact that in 2 years Amazon will employ 20% of Seattle's population. They are building office towers and housing for their employees.
Around Seattle:
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| Public Art, part of the 1% rule |
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| Home of the Seahawks |
Pike Place Market is as is as incredible as everyone says. It's the largest and oldest public market in the U.S. You can buy anything there - fish, flowers, meat, vegetables, and tacky Seattle souvenirs!
And then there is the chewing gum wall. Very reminiscent of the wall outside Juliet's balcon in Verona. Disgusting, but interesting.
Then a time for some declicious chowder at Park Place Chowder. We had the sampler that gave us a taste of 4 different chowders. You could tell it was award winning chowder by the length of the line to get served. I felt like I was in a Seinfeld episode, although the servers were definitely not like the Soup Nazi!
A bit more walking around the market before it closed and then to the Seattle Public Library, which is an architectural gem and just what you would expect from this city.
Back down University Street to the Link and home to the hotel. Another great day in the city. Packed while listening to the Pirates. Extra innings tonight, come on Buccos. Off tomorrow for Alaska.
Thoughts about Seattle:
- The streets are really steep
- Starbucks and bicycles are everywhere
- Populace cannot live with smartphones
- Fish is very fresh and wonderful
- Mass transportation eases some of the traffic, but not all of it
- Great place to visit.
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