The parents and I had one fantastic week visiting with each other and enjoying Seattle together. It felt like a pretty relaxing time yet we still got to do quite a bit. Here’s a recap of our events:
After Mom and Dad arrived in downtown Seattle by light rail we met up and walked to get some pick-me-up coffees at the Starbucks Roastery. We split the Brazilian Santa Ines over some conversation and exploration of the Roastery. Bryan then picked us up a little after 5pm and we made our way to Elliott’s Bay Marina to dine with the chef’s prix fixe menu at Palisade’s. We all had an exceptional 3-course dinner with views of the marina, ferries and Seattle skyline, a little special attention for Mom’s birthday, and shared a great bottle of Malbec together. Mom and I went splitsies on the steelhead with arugula puree and quinoa and the surf and turf with the sliced hanger steak, shrimp, asparagus, truffle potato cake and plate licking bordelaise sauce. It was fantastic and the plentiful and rich flourless chocolate cakes and hazlenut bread puddings sent us all over the edge. We made it home on the early side to tour the house before we quickly fell asleep.
Saturday was our most relaxed day but a great one. Seattle broke out with some sunshine and we had four different NCAA football games to watch. Midway through the Michigan trouncing on BYU game Mom and I made a Spanish brunch spread of a chorizo tortilla espanola, padron peppers with sriracha aioli, and a light lemony arugula salad. Once we had the victory and brunch we took a long stroll through the Washington Arboretum to take in the nature and the sailgaters. It was a pretty interesting sight and a warming 3 mile walk. We got back in time to watch the two Texas games and then mom and I left for downtown to find what we thought at the time was The Dress! We both left feeling pretty good about our findings. The boys however were each dissappointed by the outcomes of their games. We headed to Eastlake Bar and Grill to catch the last rays of daylight and get some good food. Mom and I again split the fish and chips with sweet potato fries and were happy diners. After dinner we picked up peach cobbler from Ezell’s to take home and have with ice cream in front of the fire.
Sunday morning we got to an earlier start to get on the road to head to Mt. Rainier for the day. We were packed and ready to go with coffees in hand by 8 am and made good time getting to Rainier, picking up McD’s for breakfast, and enjoying the sunny views along the way. We got to the Sunrise parking lot at 10:30 am and headed for the trails. Seriously perfect weather! Chilly but perfect while you are getting your exercise in. Not a cloud in the sky to interfere with some money shots. We got up to Second Burroughs in only 1 hour and 45 minutes and got a prime “bench” to snack and take in the views. We could see Mt. Adams, Glacier Peak, Mt. Baker, Seattle, and so much else it was utterly amazing.
After a good rest we continued on the loop, making our way back along the ridge and really just enjoying the walk down. We got back to the car pretty close to 2 pm and headed back with a stop in Enumclaw. We stopped at Kelly’s Mercantile which ended up being a great decision to watch the 2nd half of the Seahawks victory against the Chicago Bears on their 150″ screen. It was also all day happy hour so we all ordered brewskies and got a table full of goods; riblets, spring rolls, bacon brussel sprouts, sliders, bruschetta, and two sandwiches between the four of us. Nothing went unfinished after the hike and the game, food and beers all ended our trip nicely. We had an easy 45 minute drive back home, showered, watched SNF, caught the supermoon lunar eclipse, made popcorn, peppermint schnapps hot chocolate, caprese, and other snacks in front of the fire and TV. Great day!
Monday and Tuesday Bryan and I both had to work but that allowed the parents to get to do their own thing on their own agenda for some time. They spent Monday walking downtown and doing some shopping, fueled by a lunch at Capacabana in the Pike Place Market. Monday afternoon Mom and I met up at Oui Salon and Spa to get mani-pedis which was a much needed treat! We then headed to Tavolata with the boys for their extraordinary pasta on their happy hour menu.
Such delicious al dente housemade pasta and flavorful sauces. $5 glasses of wine, arugula salad and roasted beet salad to stuff us silly. Tuesday the parents biked to the waterfront via Pronto bikes, rode the ferris wheel, had lunch at Elliott’s and then meet me at Anthropologie for their wedding dresses. This ended up being our last stop for wedding dresses after we DID find The One. We have our final decision. We rounded out the day and the visit with a last dinner at Cactus with Polly and Marika for some delicious Mexican food and margaritas.
It really was such a nice visit with the parents and really quite a successful one too. I’m glad that Mom and Dad feel so comfortable at our house and I really appreciate them coming out to visit me again!
Chelsea
Evolving in the Emerald City 