oysters

Bainbridge Island

Again, our "live" promise was short-lived. So, to recap from Friday: Hunger Games was awesome (if you haven't seen it, do), as was the sushi made in front of us and served on a conveyor belt in Kennewick for lunch. We drove past Brad's work, the Columbia Nuclear Generating Station, and I was fascinated by the role Richland played in world history, as it's the home of the atomic bomb. Dinner at Bob's Burgers-- jalapeno popper style for me-- was delectable, and the live music and Sauvignon Blanc (the best glass of wine I've ever had) at Bookwalter Winery (click here) couldn't have been better. 

Saturday, we hit the road again (get me out of the car already) for a weekend in Seattle with Brad, with a stop at the breathtaking Snoqualmie Falls. Although it took 7 green lights to get through one intersection to our hotel (we heard Seattle traffic was bad, but this bad?), it didn't take me long to start to love the city. Skyline + Puget Sound + Mt. Ranier/Olympic Mountains backdrop = one pretty picture. We were lucky enough to enjoy the view from a multitude of vantage points: 1) from the pier, 2) from a ferry en route to Bainbridge Island both during the day and at night, and 3) from Alki Beach, across the Sound from downtown.

We perused the go-to downtown attraction, Pike Place Market-- which was incredible. The fish throwing, rows upon rows of fresh flowers (especially the daffodils), and the photography displays certainly left an impression. Lunch was off the beaten path, at Emmit Wilson's Oyster House. We wandered down to the pier and headed to Bainbridge Island, where we tasted wine at Eleven Winery (click here). Named for the number of teeth on the smallest cog of a racing bike, it was started by a former professional racer and donates 100% of it's profits to charity (and 100% of it's revenue to charity during major disasters). We enjoyed a delicious dinner at Elliot's Oyster House-- Clay: crab-encrusted salmon, Brad: oysters and Coho salmon, and me: yam gnocchi with scallops (which may or may not have been from the Atlantic, not the Pacific). The restaurant's policy: if you've never had an oyster, the first one's on them, so Clay and I took the chance. To be honest, I barely chewed mine, so it wasn't too bad. 

               

I've come to the conclusion that everyone in Seattle lies to the rest of the world about their weather to deter tourists, because it's been sunny both days we've been here. No complaints there. This morning, Clay and I headed to the market early, and ordered coffee at the first-EVER Starbucks, founded in 1971. We stocked up on snacks (chocolate covered Oreos, Hawaiian caramel apple, chocolate-covered orange peels and truffles) at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Co., avoiding the chocolate-dipped jalapenos and potato chips. After checking out of the hotel, we drove to Alki Beach, ate lunch at El Chupacabra (awesome), and said adieu to Brad, who headed back to Richland. 

Because I am unable to move into my house until tomorrow night, Clay and I are spending the night at Cedarbrook Lodge, which I love because it has a free snack lounge, and borthGolden Gopher hockey AND Wild hockey on TV (what?). Off to round up some food (really, that's all we do), and to rest up for day #1 at MVP PT tomorrow! 

first. ever. oysters.