Seconds With Steff

We arrived so late last night 1:00am my time EST, but we stayed at a hotel just three miles from the airport.  And with me being me, I had my Target run done about a year ago, so this morning the first thing we did was do a drive in and pick up the essentials, but even with all the planning, they didn’t have the cooler I ordered. Hunter and I ran into the store really quickly but couldn’t find it either. But that was OK, cause we’re off to The Space Needle, but first a fast stop at Top Pot Donuts! Links on all first pics, and sometimes second 🙂

I had originally wanted an afternoon reservation at The Space Needle, but when I bought the City Pass, only morning was left, so 9:15 in the morning we made our way up an elevator onto what I was sure would send me into a pure panic attack from heights hell. I went slowly, and I actually did pretty well. We got lucky with weather, and although we couldn’t see Mount Rainier, the views were still gorgeous.

Hunter was hungry, so we made our way to The Armory and he was feeling some Route 66 vibes!

Then next door to The Chihuly Glass and Garden. I was a little worried how interested Hunter would be, but it was a fast walk through and stunningly gorgeous.

I had a feeling the next stop would fast but worth it for my inner-nerd. The Museum of Pop Culture

Once we left, I was hungry and got a Seattle Dog: delicious grilled hot dog with grilled veggies and cream cheese… interesting.

We had some extra time, so we headed to see the Freemont Troll! Weird but also wonderful! We go incredibly lucky and no one was there. There is a little community park/pathway attached and in the three minutes it took to complete, the place was mobbed!

Then we did a quick drive over to Kerry Park. We still couldn’t see Mt. Rainier, but the views were great, and Hunter got his Route 66 on again!

There are only six true Starbucks Reserves in the World, with some specialty Starbucks carrying Reserve roasts like the one I went to in Palm Springs.  Now, here’s a secret: I am not a Starbucks fan. I know…I know… but it’s fine but it’s a lot of hoopla to get a cup of coffee for a girl who is totally happy with Maxwell House; however, I thought this would be an experience, and it was, for five minutes. The lines were out of control and there were too many people. However, with the remaining time, I was able to get the car organized!

Next we arrived at The Spheres! I had to register fifteen days ago to get this! During my 2019 trip to California, I went to Silicone Valley and visited the Google and Facebook campuses as well as the Hewlett Packard Garage, so heading to the headquarters of my favourite store while in Seattle seemed a no-brainer.  The Amazon Campus is not nearly the college feel that Google had and not the weird industrial buildings that was Facebook. Instead, a compilation of gorgeous office buildings within the city, there is a gem of an idea.  From someone who sits behind a desk for a minimum of eight hours a day but has been known to do ten to 12 hours with no more than bathroom breaks, The Spheres is an office worker’s dream. And I have no words for how far beyond my expectations it went!

We still had time, and there was something that I didn’t even put on the itinerary cause I knew there was no way to fit it in, so I told Huner I had a surprise and off we went to the REI Flagship store! It was seriously cool…they even have biking trails!!!!

Now around 3:00, we headed over to The Charter House Hilton to check in a bit early which they thankfully allowed! Hunter asked for a two-minute nap (no I am not kidding), so I gave him three (super generous!), and then we moved onto Pikes Place Market!

I have spent the last few hours trying to figure out how to describe it. It’s like a really big and possibly more narrow Chelsea Market with restaurants. Indoor Farmers Market meets fish store meets confusing labyrinth of hallways and floors … oh, and it’s on two sides of the street!

I have been dying to go to Piroshky Piroshky since I first heard about it! I got a Beef & Onion Piroshky and Hunter got a apple pastry … HOLY MOLY!

And don’t forget Post Alley and The Gun Wall. And also, in case you were wondering, and you really wanted to know…Hunter hates gum, so I had to chew it for him <insert vomit emoji> .. lol

The Flowers were just stunning, and I was jealous of everyone who bought a bouquet.

But the main show everyone wants to see is the guys throwing the fish. Hunter approached Nate (name tag) and asked< :when you throw the fish.” Nate said, “any time!” I told Hunter the rules are that someone has to buy a fish. Nate looked at me and said< “I’ll throw a fish for him.” which he did. Hunter said, “Wow!” and Nate insisted on a picture with him! Life complete!

Now with the day winding down, and with some effort, I found the Italian restaurant in Pike Place that gets the ridiculous reviews. As we arrive, the man at the counter goes, we’re not closed but we are out of every dish. WHAT?!?!?!?!?! How is that even a thing!?! Understand that this is NOT a restaurant but more of the smallest of small counter service paper plate kind of deal, but the food it supposed to be seriously stupid. But all was not lost, he gave us a recommendation and it was delicious! Il Bistro

Oh, and just in case you were worried … there was a Target a block away from our hotel, and they had the cooler!

And lastly, although we were lucky all day long with warm temperatures and sunny skies, a fierce thunderstorm has been raging for the past three hours. Night y’all!

Vertullo Summary – Scary heights, a troll, and coffee!

PS – I will do my best, but I most likely will be out of range of any signal tomorrow night. Any guesses as to what we’re doing?