Smith Family Adventures: May 2009

We had a great time in Seattle. We went with other homeschooling families on the Amtrak Train. We have taken this trip a few times in the past. It is by far the funniest trip we do. It makes for a long day as we have to be to the train station by 8:15 am and arrive back in Bellingham shortly after 9pm.

I can also say..we had the interesting situation occur. At first we were not sure exactly what had happened, but we eventually told the entire story. We left Bellingham with no problem, arrived in Mt Vernon. It stopped for a short time and was off again. But there was something happening in the car in front of us. A commotion of sorts...we were not quite sure, if someone was trying to get off with all their stuff and could not get off in time. That is what it initially looked like. We then found out as the train continued slowly southward on the tracks. That what in fact had happened was a older couple was helping their adult daughter and grandchildren get loaded onto the train..carseats, suitcases, etc. They had told the porter that they were just getting on to help their daughter get her items on the train, as she had a small child with her and that they would be getting right back off after getting it stowed. Well no sooner then they had sat foot into the car. The doors closed and train headed south. We were wondering what was going to happen. We thought they will stop and back the train up. We continued south but not ever really picking up speed. Then we soon find out that the northbound train is inbound to Mt Vernon...soon we come to a stop a few minutes later the northbound train arrives and comes to a stop. The couple are let off the south bound and cross over and get on the northbound train. It was interesting and they did such a great job of exactly stopping the doors right beside each other.

Then the rest of the trip to Seattle was uneventful. We arrived in Seattle to cloudy skies and a drizzle. It did not stay that way. It soon cleared to wonderful blue skies.

We first went to the aquarium. We were waiting outside for everyone to arrive...I saw my first interesting person of the day. Seattle has a lot of those. She was wearing a long cloak, barefoot and had a wooden walking stick. It was what was tucked into her button up shirt that drew my attention. She had a rooster, a live rooster with only his head sticking out and looking around.
In side the aquarium... Kodie was soon greeted with a certain fish seemed to be very upset that the glass was preventing him from eating finger sandwiches and a stuffed cat. The Otters were being oh so cute we could have sat there for a long time.

After there we headed down the waterfront to stores and the carousel. This is now on out must do list. I knew it was down there, I just never knew where. It is hidden in the back of one of the many little shopping areas.

Then it was off to the Ye Olde Curiosity Shop to check on Sylvester and Sylvia and any other unusual things.

After that it was up to Pike Place market...there we are standing on the street looking like tourist's as we look at the map..trying to figure out where the elevator maybe...there is no way I am taking the staircase hill with Kodie in her stroller...I also wanted to find a better elevator...I managed to locate one a couple of years ago...but it was just so hard to locate and in a parking garage.
I had been sharing with Linda (one of the other cool moms :)... that I got so lost and still ended up doing many stairs with Kodie last time...I was not about to do that again. The bicycle officer was going by, and must have realized that we had a need. She told us exactly how to find the elevator and how to get the top of the market place. The market place was fun...there were 3 of us that did the elevator and we eventually found everyone again, as others battled the staircase. We watched the fish market, bought some strawberries and mini donuts.

Then after about an hour, Kodie, Zeke and I headed off early as we needed to get the Klondike Gold Rush Museum, as it would close at 5pm. I had two reasons for having to absolutely go there. #1 There are only 2 National Historical Sites for the Klondike Gold Rush, one is in Seattle and the other is in Skagway, Alaska. Kodie and I went to the one in Alaska during our cruise. So now we just needed to go to this one...and we have officially followed the route of the Klondiker's...granted out ship part was a cruise ship and the trip up toward the Yukon was by train. All the same we traveled the route. #2 Was to have Kodie get her Passport to America Access Pass. This is a pass that is given out to anyone with permanent disability, you have to have documentation for free. With that Kodie was given her lifetime pass to the National Parks. So now she and her accompany caregivers..ie us her parents, can use this pass to get into the national parks at no cost.

After that we headed up to Pioneer Square, we rested for a little while at the Firefighters Memorial. Then it was off to the Toy Store...where we just happened up the rest of our group..that we had spent most of the day with.

Then it was off to find dinner...we did find a great hamburger place. Will keep it on the list of places to eat.

After that it was back to the train station and time to head home.