We were up early and enjoyed breakfast at the hotel. Hotel breakfasts have really gotten yummy in the past few years. After breakfast we took the monorail, which was specifically built for people to use to get to the Space Needle. I was expecting a much longer ride than at the most 5 minutes.
Our daily walk to the light rail station.
Terra looks a bit grumpy.
Trent taking some pictures.
Tim being nutty.
Grandpa smiling for the camera.
There's the happy girl...it must be because big brother is taking the picture.
Getting a picture of the paparazzi.
Trent got a seat up front.
This picture amazes me every time I see it. Trent took this self portrait with the space needle...amazing!
The Space Needle is an observation tower in Seattle, Washington, a landmark of the Pacific Northwest, and a symbol of Seattle. Built in the Seattle Center for the 1962 World's Fair, which drew over 2.3 million visitors, nearly 20,000 people a day used its elevators.
Once the tallest structure west of the Mississippi River, it is 605 ft high, 138 ft wide, and weighs 9,550 tons. It is built to withstand winds of up to 200 miles per hour and earthquakes of up to 9.1 magnitude, as strong as the 1700 Cascadia earthquake. It also has 25 lightning rods.
It has an observation deck at 520 ft and a gift shop with the rotating SkyCity restaurant at 500 ft. From the top of the Needle, one can see not only the downtown Seattle skyline, but also the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Elliott Bay, and surrounding islands.
Visitors can reach the top of the Space Needle by elevators that travel at 10 miles per hour. The trip takes 41 seconds. On windy days, the elevators slow to 5 miles per hour. (Wikipedia)
On the deck checking out the view.
It was a really pretty day, so the view was awesome.
The view down below.
After going to the top of the Space Needle we had some time before the Duck Tour. There was a Folklife Festival going in the Seattle Center, which was quite interesting to say the least.
What will they deep fry next? Anything!
When we first got to the Seattle Center to visit the Space Needle, this area was empty and just a few hours later it was packed.
My Dad and I liked people watching.
Street performers.
YUMMY!!!
I shared with Tim.
Trent having some fun in the Kids Zone.
After all the fun we had at the Seattle Center, we walked across the street to the Duck Tour. Thankfully, we had reservations because since it was such a nice day everyone was out and about. I have been on a Duck tour before and loved it. I thought Trent would love it too because the humor of the tour guide is right up Trent's alley. And the tour is a good way to see the city. So, we boarded a World War II amphibious landing craft and were on our way. I think my Dad was wondering what he had gotten himself into.
This is what we will be riding around Seattle in.
I had to get Trent the Wacky Quacker noisemaker. Thankfully, he sat by Tim.
I don't think we were even out of the parking lot and the tour guide is making jokes and Trent is cracking up.
The tour guide...he had a very funny array of hats.
The building that is "Seattle Grace" from Grey's Anatomy.
Another Duck Tour.
The octopus hat...
Seattle Art Museum. The Hammering Man's arm "hammers" silently and smoothly four times per minute from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. It runs on a 3-hp electric motor set on an automatic timer. Hammering Man rests its arm each evening and every year on Labor Day.
Terra looking tired.
This time a wig.
The second busiest Starbucks in the world.
Terra finally gave in and fell asleep.
Heading to the water part of the tour.
Into Lake Union the tours go.
Beautiful views.
Trent got to sit up front for a minute.
And of course used his quacker.
The house to the right of all the sail boats is the house from Sleepless in Seattle.
Funny hats.
We had a great time on the Duck Tour. We all enjoyed it, but I think Trent enjoyed it the most and we loved seeing him laugh.
From the Duck Tour we headed back downtown to meet up with some friends Tim and I used to lifeguard with 20 years ago...I feel old. We had dinner at Cheesecake Factory and enjoyed catching up with Stuart and Michelle. We had another great day in Seattle.
After the long day touring the city, Terra needed a bath. We decided the easiest way would be the kitchen sink. Trent took this picture, so he didn't get that we wanted the sink in the picture too, but it's a cute picture of Terra.
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