Our Trip to Seattle

Our friend Luke got married this weekend, so Joel and I got to go to Seattle for the wedding. My parents kept the girls so we could have some time away together. We've been to Seattle before, but it was one day at the end of our honeymoon almost eleven years ago now, so I didn't really remember much. 

We started the first day at Pike Place Market. I had the best cup of tea I've ever had in my life at this little place. 

After wandering around the market, we walked down the waterfront and caught a water taxi to West Seattle. Our plan was to visit Alki Beach and have lunch. We didn't realize the water taxi lets you off about 2 miles from the beach, and by that point we didn't really want to walk. So we decided to rent bikes. So fun!

Here's the view of downtown from the water taxi.

Joel is enjoying his fish and chips on the beach.

And here we are lookin' good with our beach cruisers. It was a leisurely ride to the beach but we had to haul on the way back so we could catch our boat. 

 No visit to Seattle is complete without going to a coffee shop. This one was Stumptown, just a few blocks from where we were staying. 

 The next day we had a free morning before the wedding festivities began, so we did some more sight seeing. We started at Ballard Locks, which was pretty interesting but the pictures were really boring. Then we did a walking tour of Fremont, which is known for being quirky. They had lots of random public art as landmarks. This one is probably the most famous, the Fremont Troll who lives under the bridge.

 That's me under the rocket, giving my best "guns up" in honor of my high school mascot, the Goddard Rockets.

We also went to Theo Chocolate Factory, which had the most free samples in one store I have ever seen. So delicious. 

Then, it was time for the wedding. It was a beautiful service, and we were so thankful to be there.  

 Joel got to recite a blessing during the service. He helped with the ushering too. Here he is with the groom.

 And the cheech pose, in honor of the other Mother Russia housemates who couldn't be there. 

 After the wedding Joel and I headed up to Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill for another view of the city.