SEE SEATTLE!

SEE SEATTLE!

Have you ever had a day, a week when you feel the entire planet was reserved for only you?  I don’t mean you found yourself alone on a street or in a market.  I mean that everything you were experiencing was exactly how you wanted it to go.  Your life was part of a movie and you were the central character.

It happened for me during my birthday trip to Seattle.

I don’t even recall what year it was.  Every year since I turned 30, I have planned a trip for myself to a major city.  It’s part of my life goal to spend at least 24 hours in each American state.  Thus far, I have visited 43 states.  On this particular trip, I was visiting Washington, the state, and I chose to stay five days in Seattle.  I made the right choice that year.

My decision wasn’t about trying to go to the original Starbucks, although I did.  My decision was because of Nordstrom’s.  I wanted to see the flagship store.  At the time, Nordstrom was rated the #1 department store for customer service.  I needed to have someone treat me like a queen, so off to Seattle I went.

My first glimpse of the area revealed an environment right out of my dreams.  As I love winter and its cool air along with gentle falling snow, Seattle had a dominate backdrop view which included Mount Rainier with its snow-capped peak.  It was picturesque and quietly peaceful.

I was ready for adventure. 

The air was clean.  The Douglas firs were extremely tall.  And the city’s iconic symbol, the statuesque Space Needle, was a sight to behold.  Lunch would be there my second day.  Revolving slowly like other restaurants in Atlanta and Louisville with spectacular views of their majestic cities, the SkyCity restaurant had breathtaking views of Seattle’s harbor and hills, which were highlighted brightly in the lunchtime sun.

Breathe.  You are living in the glow of life right now.

Recommended for a visit by hundreds of people, before and during my trip, the next day was reserved for the historic and most popular, Public Market Farmers Market.  Located in downtown Seattle, with cobbled-stoned streets near the lower section of Seattle’s water-lined edge, Public Market Farmers Market was a busy, busy marketplace filled with restaurants, fresh produce, seafood, fish, fruits, meats, and merchandise.  I must have gained 10 pounds by lunch, mainly from consuming every morsel offered for the tasting.  Gratefully, due to the expanse of the market, I managed to walk off the extra weight by dinner.  With several sips of my after dinner coffee, purchased from the original location of Starbucks hidden deeply in the maze of the market on Pike Place, I walked back to my rental car, happily strolling with my sore feet from a fully engrossed day at Public Market Farmers Market.

I’d go again at the drop of a hat. 

The following morning I was up early to catch the ferry to Bainbridge Island.  It was to be my first ferry ride.  I was really giddy and excited.  Pulling up to the ferry, I was told to stay in my vehicle, drive onto the large carrier and park directly behind the car in front of me.  “Are you kidding?!,” I thought.  Really!  Wow!  Wow!!!

This was just like in the movies.  I’m in my rental car riding across the Puget Sound on a very large vessel.  Yeah.  I did that.

   

We landed on Bainbridge Island.  I was still amazed by the image of us driving off the ferry.  First, the cars then the motorcycles and bikes, and then the people who simply had walked on board.  Oh, this image would remain with me for life.  Such a simple trip for the residents, yet oh so foreign for a visitor like myself. 

Onward.  I was famished so, I went to the first little eatery where the locales had suggested.  It was on a back bay-like area, very small and non-descript.  I wanted a view, thinking I would be seated by the front window, but no.  I was ushered to the back of the place, facing a long narrow waterway.  Hmm…I wondered.  Is this their racism?  You can only sit in the back of the restaurant.

Moments later, as my salad was served, I realized that I was getting more than a view.  I was about to get an experience.  For on the river was activity.  There were a few boaters slowly drifting pass.  A dozen or so large river birds flew by to land on various trees branches.  Then the sound on the river, faint echoes of light waves in varying hues, repeated softly under a changing sun.  What a day and what a great meal of quiche.
 
Yeah, Bainbridge Island.  I’m loving this trip.

Driving through the back roads of the island and trying not to get lost, I saw a sign that would take my day to the next level of excitement.  It was 5 miles ahead.  The Susquamish Clearwater Casino Resort.  I had forgotten Native American casinos would be here.  There were two casinos on this little island.  The other one was called The Point Casino.  Yippee!  Fun.  Fun.  Fun.

I left the island rather late that evening.  I know it was after 7 p.m.  Going across Puget Sound back to Seattle, I had moved inside to chat with a few people I had met much earlier in the morning.  They told me to get ready for yet another great view. 

Shining brightly from left to right and in all directions, there was Seattle at night.  Lit up like crystals, broken and splattered on a sandy beach, the twinkling lights of Seattle at night were both romantic and warmly comforting.  Happy Birthday, Vanessa!  You’re having another successful trip.

And it wasn’t over.  I had not been to Nordstrom’s yet.

Morning traffic in the heart of Seattle was like any other big city.  People were hustling and bustling.  My spa appointment at Nordstrom was not going to wait.  If you run child, you can make it in time to shop first.

            

Looking up at eleven floors of clothing heaven, there it was…the one and only Nordstrom.  I scoured each floor searching for the right birthday gift to myself.  I must have tried on two dozen items from shoes to suits.  I was in a magical land of designer labels.  Settling for jewelry, I was finally off to the grand spa at Nordstrom. 

I asked for something to soothe my aching feet; I had walked for days in Seattle.  A good rub down was needed.  The recommended treatment was Reflexology, a really great selection, I noted.  However, with all the pampering, time had slipped on past.  I had completely forgotten I wanted to see the main library and fine arts museum.  So, there I was once again ripping and running all through town, wanting to see it all and do it all.  Yet, no time to spare because the clock was ticking without pause.  Seattle had cast its spell on me and I was mesmerized willingly.

            

I love that city.     

Like any last night in a town, I make sure some of my money goes to the African-American community.  I had heard about a savvy-smooth Black-owned restaurant with roots in the South called Simply Soulful.  Featuring the recipes of a relative from the state of Mississippi, a mother-daughter team had taken the classic recipes of soul food to the next level of yum.  I would spend my last bundle of dollars eating everything in sight and taking a couple of desserts back to the airport with me.  I had left my heart in Seattle.

With pleasure, I knew I would return one day to retrieve it.



*Vanessa Brantley  Style395.blogspot.com, June 18, 2017,  "See Seattle!", Volume 7, Blog 1a [vol. 7, 1a-1c].