Seattle, WA

On the way to Seattle, we stopped off to view Mount St. Helen's. Mount St. Helen's looked so serene and beautiful that it was hard to believe that just 30 years ago it caused the deadliest volcanic event in the history of the United States. Once in Seattle, our first stop was the Space Needle. We rode the elevator up 520 feet to the observation deck where we were able to see 360 degree views of the city. The observation deck has both inside and outside viewing sections, which we greatly appreciated because it was extrememly cold and windy outside. We saw dense downtown skyscrapers, a working port, neighborhoods, and the snowcappped mountains in the distance. We were even lucky enough to time our visit so that we were able to see the views during the day, at sunset, and at night. After the Space Needle, we caught a bite to eat at a nearby Thai restaurant and called it a night.


Mount St. Helen's in the distance.


The Space Needle


The view of the Seattle waterfront from the Space Needle.


A view of the downtown area at dusk.


Kim and Lorenzo on the Space Needle.

The next day we took a 15 minute drive out to the Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, WA. We stopped at the visitors center and the Microsoft museum where we learned about Microsoft's history and how Bill Gates started it all and about the company's current and developing technologies. Here you can play XBOX, listen to Zune, browse software on laptops and even test Microsoft Surface. We then browsed the Microsoft store where we saw employees picking up loads of discounted software. We left Microsoft for a late breakfast at IHOP on National Pancake Day, then headed to the REI flagship store near downtown Seattle. Downtown Seattle has a large variety of restaraunts and tons shops and we ended the day by shopping and eating downtown.

Microsoft headquarters


Lorenzo added his picture and message to a screen at the Microsoft visitor center.


Lorenzo joining the Microsoft founders.

Despite the windy and overcast weather, the next morning we walked from our hotel near the Space Needle to Pike Place Market which is located on the waterfront near the downtown. The Market is full of little specialty shops and restaraunts and stands selling fresh seafood, fruits, and vegetables. As we wandered around, we smelled dried lavendar and fresh flowers and saw purple potatoes and a giant octopus. We also tasted chocolate pasta and ate a humongous oatmeal cookie and a delicious apple pastry from a small Russian restaraunt called Piroshky, Piroshky.


Pike Place Market


Giant octopus at Pike Place Market


Kim taking a bite of a yummy apple pastry.


Lorenzo enjoying a mushroom and broccoli pastry.

San Francisco

We excitedly drove north to San Francisco, passing through the changing landscape of California. We went from a big city with beautiful beaches to lush green fields, orange groves, farms, pecan trees, high mountains, and deep valleys. Along the way we stopped at Pea Soup Andersen's off of I-5 to try the split pea soup. When we finally arrived in San Francisco, we were shocked and disgusted to find that our hotel wanted to charge us $39.00 per day for parking. We knew parking was expensive in San Francisco, but this rate was five dollars more than the rate the hotel quoted online. We decided to instead park at the airport and take the BART train back into the city to the hotel to save money and make a point.


Driving through the mountains and valleys in Northern California.


Split pea soup at Pea Soup Andersen's.


The Bay Bridge coming into San Francisco

On our first morning in San Francisco, we walked the hilly streets to Union Square, passing by Lombard Street to take photos along the way. We were surprised at the size and fast pace of downtown San Francisco. It was an unexpectedly big city, with a lot of pedestrians and tall buildings. After shopping, we wandered around and eventually stumbled upon Chinatown where we visted a tea shop and a Chinese medicine store. In the evening, we explored the Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39, two of the major tourist areas in San Francisco. These areas are right along the water and are filled with seafood restaurants, musicians playing and selling music, shops, and views of the San Francisco Bay and Alcatraz Prison. We had dinner at Franciscan, where we ate local mussels and shrimp and watched the sunset over the bay.


Kim smiling as she walks the hilly streets. She won't be smiling for long.


Winding Lombard Street


Entrance to Chinatown


The Fisherman's Wharf


Dungeness crabs, a staple at the Fisherman's Wharf. Yum!


Dinner at Franciscan on the bay.

On our last full day, we decided to visit the number one tourist attraction in San Francisco - Alcatraz Prison. The only way to reach Alcatraz is by ferry and we enjoyed the smooth 15 minute ferry ride. When we got to Alcatraz, we took the audio tour of the prison, which guided us through the cell blocks, cafeteria, the yard, and the Warden's home. There was even a former inmate in the gift shop who was signing copies of his new book about being inprisioned at Alcatraz for armed burgulary. Our favorite part about Alcatraz, however, was the view of San Francisco from the prison. Later that evening while waiting for a restaraunt to open for dinner, we stumbled upon a beach and a pier that overlooked the bay. Based on the recommendation of our hotel concierge, we ate at Firenze By Night, a fantastic and authentic Italian restaurant. We ended the night by sharing a brownie sundae from Ghiradelli.


Alcatraz Prison from the ferry


Inside Alcatraz Prison


San Francisco street car


Golden Gate Bridge


The pier overlooking the bay.


Ghiradelli Square


Delicious brownie sundae at Ghiradelli.

Before leaving San Francisco, we stopped at the Golden Gate Bridge and walked across it. Despite the heavy fog and the fact that you can feel the bridge sway when trucks pass, it was an incredible experience. Kim even met some new friends as they exchanged picture taking efforts.


Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge.


The Golden Gate Bridge in the fog.


Kim showing her Tarheel spirit at the Golden Gate Bridge.