In a trip to Seattle, I was with old friends, and in some instances, whatever is easiest for the group wins. We found ourselves at two conveniently located tourist eateries: Ivar’s Acres of Clams, located at the waterfront near the Seattle Aquarium, and Matt’s in the Market, located in Pike Place Market.
Going to a tame little urban park in Seattle seems a bit minor league considering all the spectacular hiking to be done around Mt. Rainer and the surrounds, but when you’ve only got a weekend and a few hours to spare, Discovery Park is worth the detour.
I know Seattle is much more than Pike Place and coffee, but for whatever reason I always find myself at the market every time I’m here. The brisk morning walk from a downtown hotel is just too convenient, the lure of the waterfront too inviting, and the draw of food and shopping and restaurants too exciting.
I can’t take credit for snapping this photo, my boyfriend was actually the one who found the cantankerous feller resting at harbor’s edge. Ah, gray skies and a grumpy seagull — only in Seattle is this considered a beautiful day.
Maybe it’s because Seattle smells like rain brewing in a big coffee pot. Or maybe because it’s the birthplace of Starbucks and Seattle’s Best. Whatever it is, you gotta “do coffee” if you’re Seattle, much like you have to “do Mexican” in LA or “do pizza” in New York. But if you’re going to be spending $5 on coffee, you’d want the good stuff, right?
In honor of the passing of Paul the Octopus — the famed creature who correctly predicted the outcome of eight World Cup games — today’s post is a tribute to the octopus, a truly amazing animal. I recently got to view a giant Pacific octopus up close at the Seattle Aquarium, where they keep one regularly on display.
