A couple of weeks ago I went off to Seattle for a 3-day Conference. I hadn't been to Seattle since my teens, and I was really looking forward to it. While it was technically work, we did take some time to play.
We stayed at the Crowne Plaza in downtown Seattle, and my corner room with a view was on the 22nd floor.
We got in on Tuesday and spent the afternoon at Pike's Market, where we had some awesome clam chowder, and saw the fish guys throw the fish. I also sampled some killer smoked salmon.
Our conference was held at the Washington State Convention Center. We walked a few blocks from the hotel to the convention center and back every day. BTW - Since when did Seattle have so many hills? I honestly don't remember them. It was like Seattle was replaced by San Francisco.
Other fun things 1 - there was a convention party held at the Experience Music Project - basically a rock music museum dedicated to Jimi Hendrix and the Grunge movement (both of which originated in Seattle). To get there we rode the monorail, and the museum is located right next to the Space Needle.
Other fun things 2 - We also got to see Safeco Park, where the Mariners play baseball, and Century Link field, where the Seahawks play (they're right next to each other). I remember my Grampa taking me to a Mariners game in the King Dome when I was 10. Alas, the King Dome is no more, but being from the Northwest, I've rooted for the Mariners and the Seahawks both, and it was fun to see their new hometown parks.
Other fun things 3 - We drove by Boeing field where we could see some of the new 787 Dreamliners parked outside. Even from a distance they are HUGE!
We went for sushi late one night to a place called Umi Sake. It was fantastic.
One night we went with some business partners (all of whom were Canadian and gave me a new appreciation for how awesome Canadians are) to a farm-to-table restaurant called Terra Plata. On the way there I happened to leave my phone in the cab. I figured all was lost, but about an hour later the cabby returned with my phone. With nothing else to give him, I gave him a hug (which perhaps was not quite appropriate, as he was likely a Muslim. Hopefully Allah forgives me). But back to Terra Plata - while there I tried something totally new, at least to me, called "Sunchokes". It's basically a root vegetable that can be roasted, and tastes a bit like artichoke hearts. Super yum. I also highly recommend the stuffed dates and the grapefruit sorbet to wash it all down with.
After several days of blah convention breakfast food, on our final morning we went to an awesome place called "The Daily Grill" for breakfast, where they have the awesomest blueberry pancakes (which of course I know, since that's what I had). It was a perfect way to end our trip.
So long Seattle - hope to see you again soon.
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