An Advenutre in the Emerald City

Today was such a great day. It was a day I got to live up to what I have recently been talking about. I got to be a bit of a free spirit in the wonderful Emerald City with my best friend Beckie. Our morning started off with a 6:30 wake up call. Which mind you, that is like death when all summer you have been sleeping until at least 9... Usually much later. But for what was in store today, it was completely worth it.

We started off heading to the train station by 7:45 to take the last train headed up to Seattle. Little did I know, Beckie hadn't taken the train to Seattle before. Today was full of firsts for her, which made this trip all the more fun.

Headed up to Seattle via the Sounder Train! 

So we got off the train, not knowing the bus system whatsoever. Which was just a little bit embarrassing. So we decided to walk through the city, rather than spend our money on bus fare that may not take us to where we wanted to be. It worked out well because we got to walk along the waterfront on the pier early this morning, nothing was open until about 10:00 anyways. So we had a bit of fun hanging out at the pier as we worked our way further north to reach Pike's Place Market.

So we continued walking, breathing in the wonderful scent of fish and saltwater. Mind you, I do not enjoy seafood, but the smell of being by the water is incomparable. But I was very hungry since I had not yet ate breakfast. I was in the coffee capitol of the world, so I was determined to find a coffee shop. We stopped at the first coffee shop we found which was about three blocks south from Pike's Place. It was a whole in the wall little shop, no indoor seating, but it was perfect. It smelled delightful, and it definitely hit the spot for my need of a coffee and a turnover. It was simply name Coffee & Specialty Bakery.

Now we finally made it to Pike's Place! I described the smell of this lovely place as one that is distinct, but not an essence that you would want to bottle up. Pike's Place Market is the home to plenty of vendors and shops. Most everything you will find on Pike's Place is all locally made or grown from Washington. It's great. Also, Pike's Place Market is home to the very first Starbucks. It was Beckie's first time visiting the first Starbucks. I was so tempted to have them call out "Hermione Granger" when they called for my drink, then I would yell out "Gryfindor!" But, I was too lame. Though I thought of it. Until next time...

Something else that I really enjoy about Pike's Place are the neat things you find in every nook and cranny you can imagine. You just have to look. though some of them are more obvious. Some can only be described in pictures. Others are harder to be pictured, such a the pig hoof prints that are in the sidewalk through metal. Also there are some neat quotes you can find in metal on the sidewalk. "I have always known that at last I would take this road. But yesterday I did not know that would be today."

Graffiti on a trash bin at Pike's. Very sarcastic, I imagine...

This Sasquatch can be found in the Atrium of Pike's. 

The funniest sign for restrooms I have ever seen.

And this pig. It's actually a piggy bank. It's famous.

And this is how they tell you which bathroom to go to. Chromosomes!!! 

Aside from coffee and rain, Seattle is also famous for possibly the nastiest alley way one could ever imagine. Well, that may be an exaggeration, but brace yourselves, germ-o-phobes. Beneath Pike's Place Market is the Gum Wall. Layers, and layers and layers of gum are piled on top of each other. Of course Beckie and I had to add to the wall. It was Beckie's first time visiting the Gum Wall. So this made it all the more fun.

Now we decided that we had had enough of Pike's Place Market. We came, we went, and we conquered. We were off to Westlake Center... If we could navigate our way around Seattle. We had to ask a bus driver how to get up to Westlake Center. It's a good thing we did or else we would have gone in the wrong direction. We stopped at a McDonald's to get wi-fi and rest our feet. We got the chance to help a couple of Japanese foreign exchange students find their way to Pike's Place. Then we went to a two story Ross store, and we headed up to Westlake Center to eat Chinese food in the food court. After we ate our lunch, we searched for the Forever 21 and Victoria Secret. Of course, girly stuff. We had to ask a concierge at the gorgeous Seattle Westin Hotel for directions to a Forever 21 and Victoria Secret, also to find the fastest way back to King's Street Station. We were able to find the Forever 21, which was great to go to all three floors, then we tried to find the Victoria Secret, but we failed. We got quite turned around to get to the bus tunnel, and when we finally did, we both decided that Seattle needs a better rapid transit system. Finally, we got onto our bus to King's Street Station, after we confirmed with the driver that it would indeed take us where we needed to be. She called us out on the intercom "Ladies, this is your King's Street Station stop," as we approached the stop, causing every bus passenger to look at us. But hey, it was better than ending up stranded in Seattle. Finally, after a very fun day in Seattle, we boarded the train and headed home. It was quite an adventure. By the way, I only paid $8.50 for my transportation, not bad at all! These kind of day trips are the kind that I treasure, and I hope to be able to do more of. It as such an adventure!

~Always,
Just a girl, trying to take on the world.

Exhausted on the train back from Seattle. What a great day!

With the gorgeous $5 flowers I got at Pike's!

'Tis A Gift To be Simple

Summer days come and go so easily, and so quickly. It is rather heartbreaking that summer is only with us for just a fraction of time. Summer is meant to be full of memories, the kind of memories you cherish for the rest of your life.

I am so lucky to say that I have been able to fill my summer with those kinds of memories. I spent a week on Maui with my cousin and we talk everyday about how much we miss being on the island. Then I spent two weeks in North Carolina, getting to experience the slow and laid back lifestyle of a small southern town. Then when I got back, though I was itching to travel again, I was able to stay busy here at home. The Pacific Northwest is thriving with plenty to do all of the time, rain or shine. I was busy preparing to participate in the Pierce County Fair with 4-H. I have been participating in the Fair as a 4-H member for the past 7 years, this year being my last year since I graduated. I like to keep busy, it keeps my thoughts from bottling up and pestering me too much. Speaking of keeping busy, tomorrow I am taking a fun little day trip with my best friend up to Seattle tomorrow, it will be a fun little adventure. Summer is ending far too quickly though.

I love keeping busy, the days that I spend laying on the couch watching television are wasted to me. Those days are saved for the rainy days that I know we will get in the next couple of months. Most of my summer days that I am not traveling are spent laying outside on the back lawn, reading a book, or writing, or playing with my dogs. There are plenty of simple things to be doing when nobody wants to go adventuring. Here are a few ideas; make friendship bracelets, read a good book, write a story, go for a run, go for a bike ride, walk around your town and discover something new, or find a new hobby like photography or painting. Don't spend your days that could be spent in the sun inside watching television or playing xBox.

One of my favorite quotes is "life begins the moment you step outside of your comfort zone." The days we have left of summer are very numbered, my best advice to you is to go outside and have fun. Go adventuring. Life is just another adventure, everyday, waiting to being.
~Always,
Just a girl, trying to take on the world.

I love days like this, the perfect puffy clouds painting the Washington sky.

Today, I spent the afternoon outside reading this great book!

I love being outside!

My biggest weakness, a beautiful day, and coffee.