Seattle: An Adventure

I did the truly unthinkable today. I took the children on a grand adventure even though my house was a filthy pigsty. Dirty dishes piled in the sink, mail scattered on the counter, Legos on the floor, piles of laundry everywhere and fruit flies being fruitful and multiplying.

But, we had to hurry because the ferry waits for no mom.

I couldn’t decide whether we should just drive to Seattle (ack! the traffic!) because it would be quicker (an hour, probably) or drive to Bremerton (an hour, probably less) and take the ferry (which takes an hour). Finally, I decided we’d go with the ferry and I am so glad I did for two reasons:

1) No traffic.

2) The seagulls.

On the way over to Seattle, my kids noticed some older boys holding out bits of crackers, enticing the seagulls to swoop in and snatch the crackers right from their fingers. My boys thought this was fine, but all I could do was think of that time in college when a bird pooped onto my head one fine evening outside of the cafeteria.

So, we watched from a distance, but it was quite a show, worthy of a circus or an educational zoo exhibition.

I wasn’t sure exactly how our day would go in Seattle. I didn’t bring a stroller, but my daughter loves to run and walk (directly in front of me, tripping me and causing me to stumble as if I am one of those crazy city people like the guy we saw directing traffic from a street corner). Today? She wanted me to hold her.

My youngest son wanted to go to the Space Needle and although I remember walking from the Space Needle to the waterfront when I was a teenager, I didn’t think my kids would last. So, we walked up (and up and up) a rambling set of staircases to Pike Place Market, finally coming up into the fishy air of the famous fish market.

My boys: “Why are we here?”

Me: “This is a very famous place.” Pause. “Let’s go.”

I took a few pictures, but my kids were utterly unimpressed. They wanted only to see the Space Needle. My plan? Head for Westlake Center and take the monorail, which was supposed to be opened today after an unfortunate collision eight months ago. However, no. It did not open–much to my chagrin.

So, back down the escalator we went. (My daughter: “I want to ride the escalator again!” Me: “Not now, honey.” We repeated that exchange about ten times.)

We found a bus-stop, realized it was the wrong one, then walked up and over a block to the correct stop. That was much easier than walking to the Space Needle.

Once at Seattle Center, we found someplace for lunch, ate, drank, detoured at the carousel (for my daughter, the beggar), then went up the Space Needle elevator. I haven’t been up the Space Needle since I was a child, so that was fun. The kids loved it. I had disposable cameras for them and they took all their pictures from 520 feet up in the air.

We spotted the Seattle Center fountain from high in the sky, so we skirted by Frank Gehry’s cool building which houses the Experience Music Project. Someday, I’ll have to take the boys back there when we don’t have Miss Whiny along for the ride.

The fountain was glorious on this warm, sunny, Seattle-perfect day–my kids were just disappointed they couldn’t put on swimsuits and frolic like the other children crowding in the spray. They did edge as close as possible to the water and beg to stay, but I hurried us out of there before anyone got doused.

Then, back on the bus to the waterfront. We trudged (they were so tired by then) to the Seattle Aquarium, which we sped through in record-time. (My daughter does not appreciate lingering.) The coolest part was at the end where they display two octopuses (octupi?) and a clear arch full of jellyfish (you can walk under/through it).

On the way back to the ferry, I spotted a Red Robin, so we stopped and had an early dinner.

No visit to Seattle is complete without visiting Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, where you can gawk at the mummy. My eight-year old son loved it, as I knew he would.

Then, back onto the ferry for an hour’s ride home. This time, my boys participated in the feeding of the seagulls. (They got saltines from the snackbar, until I ponied up my baggie full of Triscuits.) My daughter got in the act by flinging grapes overboard. When those were gone, my little Gretel threw handfuls of Cheerios into the wind, leaving a path of crumbs between Seattle and Bremerton which was immediately gobbled up. Funnily enough, the seagulls would spot them and dive-bomb into the foamy waves to eat those circles of honey-nut goodness.

By the time we were halfway home, she had conked out in the backseat.

Tonight, while we rocked, she told me that tomorrow, she plans to go to the mountain, then back to the fountain in her swimsuit so she can play.

I hope she forgets by morning, but I know she will harass me for months to come about going back to play in the fountain.

Tomorrow? Mt. Rainier, unless I come to my senses. At least I got the kitchen cleaned up and my email all answered. (Sort of.)

All in all, the day was a fantastic success. The children had a blast, I got a bunch of incredible pictures (on a film camera–sorry!), and they will never forget the seagulls flying near enough to reach out and touch. At least I won’t.

(Oh. And when I got home? I thought that someone must have broken into our house and scattered things around because honestly, I never could have imagined leaving such a haphazard mess. Did she really leave her pajamas in the hallway? Did we really leave a pile of stuff by the doorway? Did someone pile up even more dishes in the sink?

If I had died while we were out, I would have been so embarrassed by the condition of my house left behind. Good thing I’m still alive!)