Seeing Seattle

A few day's worth of blogs are missing because of our family trip. My wife and I wanted a short vacation that was budget-conscious, so we chose a one-nighter at Seattle. The drive from the Portland metro area to Seattle is not too distant, taking only about three hours. We stayed at Silver Cloud Hotel next to Seattle University, arriving on a Friday night. The next day, the kids swam at the hotel pool. After lunch, we drove to Seattle Center where there are many enjoyable activities for kids and families. My wife wanted to first go up the Space Needle, but we did not because of the long lines and and cost (I think it would have costed our family of four over $50). Instead, we did the following:

1. We visited the Science Fiction Museum where we saw many interesting displays. I enjoyed it, but my daughter found it spooky.

2. We visited the Experience Music Project where we saw what I call the "tower of musical instruments." Then we went upstairs where the public could practice on various musical instruments. The kids had a fun time playing electric guitars, drum sets, and keyboards.

3. We finally went to the Amusement Park. The kids rode the rides, played games, and enjoyed all that an amusement park has to offer.

4. As adults, we can only take so much of amusement park fun, so we left for other sights. We drove to the Government Locks (about five miles from Seattle Center) where we saw boats get transferred from one part of the canal to another on the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Boats would enter the "lock" from one part of the canal, the lock would be closed, and then the water level in the lock would either be raised or lowered to match the water level on the other side so as to allow the boat to continue on.

5. Before heading back home to Oregon, we ate at Fishermen's Terminal. The seafood was great. We left for home on a full stomach and with a full day of activities to talk about. Overall, it was a wonderful short trip for the family.