Seattle Jul 6-16

Into each life some rain must fall. No, we're not talking Seattle rain; we're talking breakdown. We were parked at a campground that was packed, and we were in a tight space. Friday night before we were going to leave, an arriving RVer hit my driver's mirror, broke it and spun it around. After duct taping it as best I could, it was driveable, but only the top third of the mirror was useable. We limped over to a local RV dealer Saturday morning; service wouldn't be open till Monday. Monday we discover that no one has any inventory of this mirror (the economy uncertainty is keeping everyone cautious), so the mirror must be made in Wisconsin (3 1/2 weeks). Below the damage. We found an RV surplus place in Oregon that could put together a surplus mirror; decided to have them ship one up to us. After they sent the first one to New Mexico, they were too understaffed to handle their increasing business (afraid to hire new people due to economy uncertainty) and kept missing their date for sending it up. We finally decided to drive the 250 miles down there and have our favorite guy install it. To be continued.

Seattle was great; famous for it's Pike Market among other things. Pike's market is a great fresh seafood (and everything else) market where they throw the fish for the entertainment of the tourists (that's us). Below, a seafood kiosk that pans to the camera with fish throwing on a regular basis; the crowd loved it.

While there we had a nice lunch at the recommended Maximilien's Restaurant. Below the view from their patio overlooking Puget Sound on a beautiful day.

Seattle and Tacoma are known for their artistic glass; below a nice shot of a retail shop in Seattle selling some pretty glass creations.

Great trip to visit the Boeing factory; toured the largest useable cubic foot building in the world (472 million cubic feet), watched 747s being put together (no pictures), which take 6-8 weeks and the assembly of the new 787s (lots of sub contractors), assembly here 3 days (new innovation from Boeing). Is it any wonder the rollout has been delayed numerous times, now into 2011? They are very excited about the 787; thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Below the big building.

Below the visitor's center, tracing the life of Boeing with simulators and mock-ups of airplanes. Had a great time there.

Visited Tacoma, which has a tribute to favorite son Dale Chihuly, an artistic glass blower that has become famous. The Museum of Glass there is filled with his creations; they also have actual glass blowing going on with practicing artists, Chihuly being the most famous. Below one of his creations at the Tacoma train station.

Chihuly created a "wall of glass" on a bridge crossing over I-705 separting the waterfront from downtown; below "Crystals of Glass" 40 ft high, that illuminate at night. Interesting.

Spent an afternoon at Weyerhauser's gardens; they have a great bonsai garden. Below, two of their more spectacular samples. First is a two toned Chinese Juniper (explanation follows, double click to read it).

Below the piece de resistance, a Korean Yew, trunk dates to ca 1600; magnificent; description follows.

Finally, couldn't resist this; me at one of our favorite breakfast places during the entire trip; Babblin Babs in Tacoma. Wow, what a menu, what a place. Enjoyed every morsel.