Day 3: Made It to Seattle

Our bus from the end of the train ride in Spokane got to Seattle's King Street Amtrak Station at about noon. The drive through the wheat fields of eastern Washington and the Cascade Mountains was nice. Walked to our hotel from the station.

Weather in Seattle is great. Bright sun, temperature in the 70s. It's supposed to be the same for the next three days, which people here say is rare (there's usually more rain).

We took the Underground Seattle tour in the Pioneer Square area (corny guide, but we learned a lot about the rebuilding of the city after the 1889 fire, when they raised the streets and left the old sidewalks underground). I went to the top of historic Smith Tower (well worth a visit; fabulous views of the city and Elliott Bay, distinctive design).  

Took a ferry ride to Bainbridge Island for views of the skyline and port. Went to the Pike Place Market for dinner at the Athenian Restaurant (great local seafood, great ambiance, with views of the ferries coming and going and the sun setting over the mountains in the distance).

It will be good to get some rest tonight after getting up early in Spokane. I don't think we'll be sleepless in Seattle.

Historic Smith Tower, 

for many years the tallest building in Seattle

Seattle skyline from the ferry

I love the Pike Place Market

Great seafood, great views, great ambiance 

at the Athenian Restaurant

Found a local coffee place called "Starbucks"