...And Off We Go!

Packing, closing up the home, dropping off the dog.

To pass the time, we are watching miscellaneous shows on tv - Heart is singing Barracuda on the Fuse channel -WHAT is the name of the other Wilson sister? With the computer already being shut down, we are unable to access Wikipedia to obtain an answer. Woe betide us as our memories are failing.

Then Joe arrives to pick us up at midnight. The weather takes a turn for the worst. Flying through a winter blizzard at 55 mph, we travel the 40 miles to the Amtrak station in Spoky-Jo. I am white-knuckle holding onto the door handle while griting my teeth as we speed through the dead of night. Only thanking the heavens above that there are not very many other vehicles on the road during this snow storm. It drops about 4 inches in the hour it takes to get to the airport, in addition to the 3 inches that we already received before we left.

Joe drops us off and hugs us; farewells are said. We wheel our luggage and bags into the depot-waiting patiently for the train to arrive. Encountering a man dressed badly as a woman (complete with enormous poky breasts that seem to jiggle, fake red wig, and a full beard stubble). This is the beginning of our great adventure.

A panic ensues as hubby starts asking about tickets. Tickets for Eura-Rail! Why would he ask that question now? As I leaf through my file folder of paperwork, passports, and reservaations, a breathless fear eats into my heart. Did I really leave them at home?

We board the #730 Coach, find Room #5 and settle into our warm little alcove wherein the bed is already turned down and treats are ready for us on the pillows. Watching out the window as the lights of the city speed past, we settle back and cuddle each other as sleepy slumber overcomes us.

Early morning hits us as the conductor indicates a call that breakfast will be short today because the dinning car will be closing at 0700. We spent the meal speaking with the nicest couple from Libby, Montana who were to spend a week in Ocean Springs. We explained about our vacation and they were able to give us some helpful hints. Greg broke his fast with the Bob Evan's special - pancakes with a scrambled egg entree. I enjoyed the Railroad French Toast. Lots of hot coffee as we only had 4 hours of sleep.

Watching the beautiful scenery across the state of Washington, the train arrives in Seattle at 10:15. Contacting the shuttle service at Comfort Suites prior to pulling into the station, we disembark to find our driver already waiting. A quick ride to the hotel and we are checked in early. WTG! While unpacking, Greg realizes that he left his coat & cell phone on the train. Oh NO! Contact with Sig at Amtrak Baggage nets us a quick retrieval of his coat and now we return to the station with Dave the driver, to pick up the coat.

Dave leaves us at Amtrak Station, we hoof it downtown to a wonderful BBQ restaurant-McCoy's Firehouse Bar & Grille. Yum. Beef brisket with onions. The place was definitely hoppingly full by noon!

We visit the Kilt shop http://www.utilikilts.com/ along 1st Avenue and Greg definitely had that glint in his eye! If the price had not been so outrageously expensive for a bit of skirt, I'm sure he would have been more than eager to purchase one...or two.

We passed the Underground Tour building that Kelsey will remember from when we brought her to Seattle. That tour was very great with informative hosts, and I would highly recommend it to anyone visiting.

From there we walked to Pioneer Square and picked up mini donuts (Greg twisted my arm!) Greg was wearing something special so we were 'teased' by most everyone we saw. This is a surprise to K&M, so I will reveal it at a later date. Needless to say, we stood out from the crowd.

At Pike Place Market we watched the fishmongers toss their fish into the air and give quite a show. Walking through that marketplace is quite an adventure. So many creative artists. (Greg notes-we got accosted by the 'hippie' who was selling natural beeswax candles that he & his wife had been making for the last 20 years-while he had a very beautiful collection, we were unable to purchase one.) I loved the variety of food within such a small venue-If I lived within the metro area, I would surely be down there at least once a week to pick up fish or fresh fruit.

Sitting down on a park bench at the Olympic Sculpture Park, we watched the homeless wandering around in the sun, children frolicking on the grass, pigeons & seagulls divebombing for scraps of food, tugs & ferries crossing Puget sound, and a police horse with the requisite officer upon his back.

We tramped back to our hotel and after a short nap, we luxuriated under a wonderfully warm shower, confirmed our boarding ticket with the help of a delightful french girl via the Air France customer service; and then Greg ordered a pineapple & canadian bacon pizza from Pagliacci. More deliciousness.

A phone call to Chachi to ascertain that Isabelle talked to him after he got home from work...then she watched out the front window upon the dog couch. So all is well there. No worries.

Off to bed with our bad selves so that we can be ready in the lobby at 11:30 for the car service to drop us at the airport tomorrow. Our flight leaves at 2:00 PM.