September in Seattle. . . . . .

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all my fabulous Canadian friends.

Outdoor art at The Pink Door, Seattle.

I have enjoyed visits to Seattle several times over the years, often wishing

 I could have spent longer getting to know the city better.

This quick visit - really just half a day before heading to the airport to  

catch the red-eye home - was quite enough!  A fast walk through the aways colorful

Pike Place Market, a drink at the Athenian Bar overlooking the water watching 

the Ferris wheel turn as the ferries sailed back and forth between the islands of

Elliot Bay, and, as always, the visit topped off with a delicious dinner at my favorite restaurant.

The PINK DOOR is just that, an unmarked pink painted door in narrow, quaint Post Alley.

Enter the door . . . . down the steep stairs . . . . . the space is cozy with dining rooms, a bar,

 a stage for evening cabaret and burlesque, piano, even a trapeze, and opens

 onto water views from a lovely shaded lattice covered dining deck. 

The staff are friendly and totally laid back. Many are heavily tattooed, with

 multi-colored hair and unusual jewelry and clothing - all seem to love their jobs

 and some have waited tables there for years. The food, American-Italian

 is excellent. 

I think my only reason nowadays to be 'sleepless in Seattle', 

is if I'm offered dinner at The Pink Door!

Flying in to Seattle.

Elliot Bay

Have you visited Seattle?

If so, do you have a favorite dining spot?

Home after sunset. . . . . .

~  Spectacular sunset in Washington State ~ 

I'm home again now. North Carolina welcomed us early this morning 
after the 'red eye' flight from Seattle to Dallas connecting to the 
Raleigh flight. A missed night of real sleep, just those little naps again.
So, turning in early tonight and hopefully my inner clock will get 
straightened out again soon!

With Autumn now officially here I certainly have a lot to catch up with.
A lot of garden work required. . . . . . and I need to start hunting for pumpkins.

On the way to Western Canada -

Heading northwest is always a pleasure.

This time I had not only the widow seat, but the middle seat and 

the aisle seat! Bob had the same on the other side - a first for us I think.

The 5:30 am flight from Charlotte to Seattle was about half full. After all,

how many other fools were like us wanting to get up and be at the airport 

at such an ungodly hour!  

Neither of us slept really, just those brief 15 minute naps between 

 servings of water, coffee or tea, and more water.

 

Crossing the Grand Teton National Park.

 Stunning Mt. Rainier - 14,410'

 Arriving over Seattle, Washington - Space Needle just visible on far right.

Driving to Port Angeles, Washington - pleasant overnight with views of

 Hurricane Ridge (Olympic National Park) and a delicious fresh halibut dinner

 overlooking the water.

Early morning 1.5 hour ferry crossing to Victoria, BC, Canada.

Looking back towards Washington State as we arrived in Canada - snow

 on the stunning Olympic Mountains.

The cruise port was busy with several ships arriving and leaving.

Welcome to Victoria - British Columbia Parliament Buildings

Weather has been mixed - cloudy with light showers and then some sunny periods

making it comfortably warm - perfect for walking about and enjoying this lovely city.

This is my third visit here and I've loved it every time.