FLEETING IMAGES OF SEATTLE

Seattle is a great town and the type of place I could see myself living in someday (if we don't return to Detroit). The city is lively, clean, and there are tons of things to do there - one moment you can be in your car in the heart of downtown and 15 miles later find yourself in the mountains.

Snoqualmie Falls is located just 25 miles east of Seattle and is a pretty spectacular sight. The Falls surge 270 feet over a magnificent rock gorge (that's 100 feet higher than Niagra Falls) making it one of Washington state's most popular scenic attractions.

Back in the city, you can take a boat cruise for more great views including some nice island scenery.

The Pike Place Market celebrated their 100th Anniversary just five days ago! To commemorate the occasion, a series of pig statues decorated by local artists can be found populating Seattle's sidewalks. This is in tribute to "Rachel" a 600 pound bronze cast piggy bank that is the Market's official mascot. It is said to bring the merchants that set up shop there good luck.

The Market itself is a fun place to hang out (and buy fresh fish and produce).

It is home to the famed Pike Place Fish Co. who attract throngs of customers who not only buy fish, but are their to watch others buy it as well. The big draw here is their "flying fish." When someone places and order, the employees throw the fish around to each other while weighing it, wrapping it, etc. before finally throwing it over the crowd and directly to the customer. The entire spectacle makes for a loud, fun atmosphere (something I never really associated with purchasing salmon or halibut).

Near the Market is the world's first Starbucks (founded in 1971). Man, do I wish I had thought of that idea (then again, I was only three at the time).

The Seattle Art Museum recently reopened after an extensive renovation. They had a pretty good collection, specifically their modern art section, which is something I really enjoy but didn't see when we were in Florence. Like the Uffizi, SAM had their own Botticelli and also other works by artists like Jackson Pollack, Jasper Johns and Jacob Lawrence (who gained fame while living in Seattle). Unfortunately, the Museum was enforcing the dreaded "no photos" rule pretty hard, so all I could get was a shot of the exterior.

The nicest way to end a day in Seattle is the nicest way to end a day pretty much anywhere else on this planet. Kudos to my nearly 6-year-old daughter Julia for taking this photo.

Finally, thanks again to my cousin Dan (and his girlfriend Sarah) for hanging out with us and showing us a great time in Seattle. Hopefully we can return the favor someday when they visit us in Thailand.