Seattle, Day 2

Today, Justin got up early and worked out of the campground lodge before the kids woke up.  After a break in meetings, he drove us down to the Pikes Place Market, where we spent the day shopping.

Doesn't Rylee look thrilled?  I think she is done with having her picture taken.  Tatum was quite apprehensive about the market.  It wasn't like anything she'd ever experienced.

I don't know if it was the smell of the fish, the occasional homeless person, the street performers, or the fact that it just wasn't like the mall she's used to, but she stuck to my side like glue.

While we were scrambling to find WIFI for Justin, we came across this "gum wall" in Post Alley, where everyone sticks their used chewing gum.  It was so gross and cool at the same time.  We just had to snap a picture.

We finally found WIFI for Justin, and this was his office for the day.  We would shop for a few hours, and bring back food and treats from the market for him to try.  What a great dad he is to do this for us.  We were so sad he couldn't come along, but this was a good compromise.

While we were walking down the street, we smelled the most amazing meat pies cooking and just had to stop at Piroshky, Piroshky.  We decided that would be lunch, and it was so good.

After lunch, we shopped a little bit longer and waited for Justin to get off work.  Once 5pm hit, we walked him through the market to show him our favorite shops.  Then we headed to Pioneer Square on foot--about 3/4 of a mile--to take the Seattle Underground Tour.

Seattle has a long and bizarre history, much of which we learned on the tour.  In 1889, there was a huge fire, called The Great Seattle Fire, that burned the entire business district to the ground.  When the city rebuilt, they basically built on top of the old city.  The old city remains intact (in some places) beneath modern day Seattle.

Though much of the old city is condemned, the tour company has fortified some of these old structures for their own use.  It was fascinating to learn all about Seattle in the 1800's.  We had a fanstastic tour guide, and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Tomorrow, we are headed to the Fremont District and possibly Lake Union and Gas Works Park.  Justin has to work again, so we'll see what we can fit in while he is busy.  We'll try to check in again before we lose our good WIFI.  Once we head back down to Oregon, who knows when we'll be able to post.  See you tomorrow!