To the North West part 1

Making our way from Bozeman to Seattle, but not without a few stops in between ! Our number one stop would have to be the Wolf family in my hometown of Missoula Montana.

I remember playing at this house when I was only young (3 and 4 ) I was born in this neighborhood, but I don't remember all the years ;) But I was so happy to bring James and my kids to places that have such meaning to me. I would have to say, they like it so far.

26 years and still great friends. I can only be so lucky to have the friends I do. I just love catching up with Lianna and her family. It's not a trip to America without stopping at the Wolf's house.

Our stop was short, but sweet with the Lianna, but we had to chug on to our next stop. Pass through Idaho again to get to Washington state. One thing James noticed were how the trees changes every 100 miles. It was pretty amazing to catch onto that. The further West we got on the 90, the bigger and thicker and much more greener they got.

You can NOT pass through the pan handle of Idaho with a stop in Wallace. The town under 90. Also Dante's peak with out the volcano. Still holds some amazing character .

We made it to Spokane Washington and found a Red Lion Hotel, it was so late, so we decided to go right to the hotel and order room service. Z man was over the moon in "AWW" he thought it was so cool to have food brought to you...in bed ! He had no clue what was going on, but he loved it.

After Spokane we hit a few hours of Washington Desert... This picture says it all.

It's so cute, Z man kept looking at his pictures he took with Papa Weeks and kept asking about him. He was already missing his mate oh so much.

The Columbia River crossing ! Great Memories of road trips to see the grandparents while living in Seattle. I would just love seeing the Horse sculptures. It was so hard to see them this time because of the 19 + fires burning around us. The smoke was over the top thick and not fun to breath in.

Almost there...

My Dad flew out from Virginia to meet up with us for a few days. He got a house in Seattle, with a view of the Space Needle. In this picture, both James and Zeric are trying to teach him to use the ipad... it made for some good laughs.

For years now, I have been telling James the weather in Seattle if perfect (in my eyes) Cold and rainy. But for the first few days it was right out of Australia, It was HOT and muggy. You can see here Miss Eira is not putting up with it, so walking around in her diaper is how she was rolling.  She also took charge of the dinner table, she ate everything and picked what you could eat.

Z man was just in love with this city. He kept pointing out the space needle and saying " Space meedle"

He was so in love with the Space Needle, we decided to take him up to the top of it. He was in "aw" He kept pointing out boats and planes. We made our way around it checking out the city from above, this only helped James love for Seattle begin.

A view of the water and a boat ( ferry) Z man would scream " BOAT !!!"

I'm not sure what side of the Needle this it, but James was pretty pumped to see Safco Field (baseball) from up top.

Again, I use to do this a kid. I remember my Mom driving us up from Federal Way to play at the Space Needle and the children's science museum. So yet again, I was so excited to bring James and our kids here to share memories with them. I know they may not remember this trip, but I will and so will James... plus this blog might help.

Miss Eira, Z man and Grandpa up top of Seattle.

The Space needle, I thought I had more pictures, but I can't seem to find them. So this will have to do. Z man was just in love with this tower.

After the space needle we walked to the Children's Science Museum, that too was a place I used to go to. We had so much fun here. In this picture Z man got to make the jaw bone of a T Rex move.

In the foot print of a long gone creature... I'm not sure he knew how to take it all in, he just followed us with a little confused look. But he loved it !

After the dinosaurs, it was into the space section where James and Zeric got to fly a space ship.. There were other things in there where  you could see how much you weighed on another planet or touch rock from outer space. After the space section was earth Science... just amazing and mind blowing fun. 

Just a little fun with Mirrors

Eira had to get in on the fun... look at her hair, she thought it was so much fun.

in the middle of the science center... making our way to the King Tut expo

We took so many pictures of this expo, but pictures just don't do any justice. It was amazing to see objects that were in King Tut's tomb. Amazing art on rocks and gold, amazing statues of kings and gods. Seeing how they lived and what they did. I'm so happy we all decided to check out this part of history before they take it all back to Egypt.

More Science museum, I love this place and with a huge part of it closed down for a face lift, it was still so much fun.

Z man thought this guys music was god enough for money... he gave a little wiggle wiggle and then ran.

Making art into a stylish seat... why not.

Grandpa decided to join

Z man got a cake pop from Starbucks and most of it fell on the ground... As he cried the saddest tears, a little bird thought he would make the most out of this situation.. peck peck

Some more street art in Seattle and leave it to Z man to turn it into a game, My dad was fast into joining him and ran into the forest of metal. I'm not going to lie, I too joined and chased Z man around in them, it was oh so fun.

The Space Needle, The Music Museum and the tall sculptures that we used for hiding. Seattle has so much character and beauty to it. Grunge did start here, so the music community is huge and strong. There is so much to do here, we may have to stay a week next time just to see more. 

Little Miss Eira playing Peek A Boo with Grandpa

Now showing me she can get away with almost anything with that smile. She was very fast in figuring out she could run the show... very fast.

The next day we made it back into the city to check out pike place. A steamed milk for Z man to help him get the day started from Seattle best.

Pike Place... one of my most favorite places. We were there for hours and still didn't get it all in. So many side alleys and up stairs and down. You would need an extra day and a good pair of shoes to check it all out. You meet the most interesting people and buy the most amazing stuff here. The tasty peach I have ever had in my life... here. Amazing sea food and treats that could put you into a food coma.  Local Artist who are still stuck in the 90's but that's what makes them special. James and I loves every bit of this place, if only we had more time and energy.

This is a famous coffee drinking man... only in Seattle

What a good morning looks like in Seattle, As I said earlier, I think this kind of weather if perfect. It takes a select few to enjoy the true beauty of the fog I guess. At least that what I keep telling myself.

My Dad took us out for lunch at a place across from the water and right next to Pike Place. So any Sea Food would be to die for. I decided to get a Dungeness Crab Sandwich and New York style clam chowder. I have said it a million times and I will always say, My favorite sea food hands down is in Seattle. This place was so delicious.

What can I say, Z man just loves live music and the people who do a good job. Dropping coins in every case that was open. This man was a true character of Seattle... right outside of the first Starbucks.

I kind of wish all of them looked like this, but if they did... it wouldn't be so neat. It was super packed from coffee fanatics, but we still went in and got a drink and a mug.. it would be stupid if I didn't.

At one point we all had to have a seat. We sat down in a park full of 90's hippies and Navy entertainment. Some of the best music yet, leave it to the Sax and any band will be tops in my book.

As I have said before, the food was amazing and finding the right places you have to go off the beaten track and find a place in an alley hidden behind it all. We got some super yum cookies to end our day in Seattle.

The time with my Dad was fast, but fun. I was for sure I had more pictures, but we were playing with the kids so much and enjoying the view of Seattle, we didn't get as many as I thought. I know we wore him out because this is how we felt after. A good 4 day nap would have done us great, but as we all know... kids don't sleep. So it was a nights sleep, a morning walk with Grandpa to get a cuppa and then off to our next stop... Look out Tutu and Kapuna