We arrived home from Washington DC on Saturday night and flew out Monday morning to Washington State. It was off to Seattle for a week to see Morgan, Lindsay and their families - especially Elliot and Edie.
There was a great view of the Grand Canyon as we flew north.
It was nice and cool when we arrived in Seattle. Morgan made us a delicious lunch as we enjoyed relaxing, visiting and eating. There was a lot of yummy food consumed on this trip.
Later that afternoon Adam made a smoothie for Elliot. Elliot was Adam's buddy for the week. He really enjoyed spending time with Uncle Adam.
When Jamie came home there was a package which contained a new bike for Elliot. Elliot and his dad put the bike together and we all went out to the backyard to see him ride. This is a new type of bike with no pedals. It is supposed to transition a child from tricycle to bike. What a cutie!
That evening we went to a restaurant called "The Pink Door" in downtown Seattle. It was kind of in a back alley and there was no name on the restaurant - but there was a pink door! Morgan had picked it because they were supposed to have acrobatic entertainment. The food was good, but we decided the entertainment was a little on the suggestive side, so we probably won't be returning. But it was a unique venue.
On our walk back to the car we found Dan's name on a door. It's probably too small to see, but Dan is pointing to where it says "For Lease - Dan Dahl" and a phone number listed. What are chance of that?
After a good night's sleep the next days we headed to a tour at Theo's chocolate factory. One of their claims to fame is that all the cocoa beans are purchased through "fair trade". That phrase means that the farmers are paid a fair price for their product, which in turn should allow the farmer to pay fair wages, purchase goods in his community, etc. As Martha Stewart says - it's a good thing. We heard a lot about fair trade while we were in Seattle.
We all had to don hats for the tour. Please note that it is July and we are wearing jackets! It was such a change for us. Seattle is a great place to visit in the summer. I must say the jackets quickly came off when we entered the factory where it was warm and humid.
This is the beginnings of chocolate. The cocoa bean.
This is where they turn the cocoa beans into deliciousness. We got to follow the process from the beans to the chocolate bars being poured. Of course any self-respecting factory tour ends up in the gift shop. I think we brought home one of everything! Our new favorite discovery is cocoa nibs. Next time you make brownies, try adding a few cocoa nibs (not too many). It will take your brownies up a notch.
This is the front of Morgan and Jamie's house.
Lots of things were blooming while we were there. That's their garage peeking through the greenery.
These pictures are out of order, but this is one of things we enjoyed for breakfast (and snacked on through the day when we weren't eating chocolate from Theo's.) Homemade multigrain bread.
Here's the bread maker's helper.
Later that evening we headed to Lindsay and Boyd's for some pizza and to see their new home. Adam and Elliot are headed up the stairs from the basement as we load the car.
Here's the whole family in Lindsay and Boyd's house.
We didn't take a picture from the front of their house, but the front yard is completely fenced in, so you really wouldn't see anything. This is the lush backyard. .
Lindsay and Adam are on the hill in the backyard looking at the back of the house. There are even herbs growing in the backyard. Their house is very cute. It is about the same size as their apartment in Tucson, but it has such a nice yard it seems bigger. The house has been renovated so it has hardwood floors and a updated kitchen. It is a great spot.
Lindsay said their cats are in heaven now that they can venture outside. In Tucson they were indoor cats due to all the predators. In Seattle, they get to explore the great outdoors.
I have to mention how it doesn't get dark until very late. Seattle is on daylight savings time, and they are far north. The sun wouldn't even set until around 9 pm. That sure was a change for us.
The next morning we went to Top Pot doughnuts in downtown Seattle. (I told you there was a lot of good food consumed on this trip.) This doughnut shop has been featured on a few food shows on the Food Network, so it was fun to go experience it.
There were only six of us, so we obviously needed a dozen doughnuts - and chocolate milk (or root beer if you are Adam). We each handpicked two doughnuts and sat outside to consume them.
Yum! We picked some good ones!
One doughnut with sprinkles for Elliot.
And one doughnut with sprinkles for Uncle Adam.
From there we headed to REI. This is not just any REI. This is REI's mother ship! This is where it all began. What a fun store. We found some good things inside.
And Adam found a geocache outside!
We thought it was very appropriate that a geocache had been hidden at the REI store.
We headed home for Elliot's nap time. Morgan stayed home for a little relaxation herself, and we headed to Duke's for some clam chowder. You may not know it, but Bryce is a connoisseur of clam chowder. He pronounced it very tasty! Another beautiful day in Seattle.
No comments:
Post a Comment