September Seattle

With my Southwest non-refundable-in-stone tickets, I board the pre-yawn morning flight. My virgin-solo vacation, I settle in for my 48-hour adventure in the Emerald City.

Space Seattle under a blue September day

Three minutes ahead of my schedule, my shuttle arrives in downtown Seattle. Greeted by mountain dew and a sea breeze, Seattle embraces me with a palatable energy. A pull towards progression: a positive force, an entity recognized by the entrepreneur spirit. I’m in the pull.

Parallel to the waterfront a train makes a run. I pause and take a double take. Is that a torpedo on the rail car? With a smack of my senses, I realize it is a Boeing fuselage minus wings and structure; my adventure begins.

Built on the pier, the Edgewater Hotel staff welcomes the early traveler and offers me an upgrade room to a waterfront view.

"For only $50 more a night we can upgrade you to a waterfront room."

Ah, a majestic view of Elliott Bay from my own balcony so romantic but alone I decline and prepare to spend my night in my city side room. With the view of the Duck Mobile guaranteed to stay on schedule, I’ll not lack for entertainment.

"I'm putting you there anyway." The manager smiles, my trip to Seattle just got better.

Minutes later, I step into a rustic room with a French flavor. Fireplace, bear rug and two wingback chairs. With a balcony overlooking the Elliott Bay and the entry toPuget Sound, I pinch myself. I'm still awake. The only thing missing is Tom Hanks. Sleepless in Seattle, my all-time favorite movie I want a Sam.

Always stop to smell the flowers

Back to schedule, I hurry to my first tour, the Pike's Place Lunch Sampler. Overall, a terrific sampling of knowledge and food. The tour guide bubbles her stats although the word *tip* escapes too often. The array of sampling of fresh fruit, clam chowder, smoked salmon, fried donut nuts, more fresh fruit, crumpets and wine gurgles with indigestion equal to the eruption of Mt. Helena. Only three hours in Seattle and I'm looking for the nearest hospital.

After a brisk walk, the gastro intestinal war eases and I board the Goodtime II for the Argosy Tillicum Island Salmon Bake dinner and presentation. Note: schedule food tours to one a day. Tourists drape the guardrails and gasp at the panoramic view of the Cityscape.

On the island, Tillicum Native Americans greet guests with a bowl of hot steaming clams followed by a scrumptious salmon bake dinner. A brief program reenacts the Tillicum Native Americans story through dance and although the costumes are nice the performers appear bored and not vested in the ceremony. Perhaps, that's why the tribe no longer reigns in the region.

Salmon Bake

Afterwards, tourists explore the island and snap pictures. Soon I meet Mel, a widower from Philadelphia, and John and Vivian, from Oklahoma. Three's a crowd so they say so I join in and we make four.

"Mel, do you ever read Stu Bykofsky, a columnist in Philadelphia?" I ask while trying on a souvenir knit hat three sizes too small for the human head.

With a ‘yes’ an instant connection is created and we jump into chatter.

“What do you think of the recent political agenda?” He drops the unexpected *guy* conversation into the souvenir shopping. “Are you a Democrat or Republican?”

“I’m a Californian.” I answer, standing on neutral vacation ground.

“Oh, you’re one of them.” An artic breeze ices the “one” and I feel no global warming by the word “them”. Boy, weather does change fast in Seattle.

I sense the Liberal lights go off in his head and I offer, “I’m also an animal activist like Stu. Do you have pets?”

After neutral chatter and a gorgeous cruise along the City night lights, we wander the wharf and call it a night. Great company if only for a brief time, we hug good bye.

Early morning I'm ready to exit the city limits and go on the Snoqualmie Falls, Winery and Swiss Chocolate Factory Tour. Over the bridge and to the wineries twenty-one tourists laugh and ‘ooh’ and ‘awe’ at the local landmarks.

Can you say Snoqualmie Falls after wine tasting?

Lucky for me Dot sits by me and an instant friend is made. Between Chardonnay and Merlot, Dot, the chemist-quilter from Virginia, and I soak in the countryside and sample fine chocolates with her companions Richard and Jenny. Add three new friends to my adventure.

Back at the hotel, I nestle on a bar stool for a night cap and listen to the music.

The man next to me laughs at a commercial on the overhead television, extends his smile and says, "Hi, I'm Sam."

Sam? 

There's something to this Seattle thing after all I hold my thought and feel my heart patter. We chat about everything and nothing and close down the bar.

Next morning, one more tour but first a trip downtown to explore Westfield Center. With regret I check out of the Edgewater and lug my bag onto my back. Funny, it's a lot heavier now. Three tiny hotel shampoos add up to a ton.

Downtown, I do the coffee thing and buy a Seattle's Best mocha and rest my weary feet at an outside table.

Caffe Vita Artist Coffee too good to drink

Within minutes a man wanders by and asks, "May I eat my lunch with you? I hate to eat alone."

Glad to have the company, I move my cup over and motion for him to snag the empty chair. By his suit and tie, he's a native worker bee.

Between his nibble of fried chicken, he says, "I'm Bob."

I knew it was only a matter of time before a Bob crossed my path.  After chit-chat with the *Bob* I'm off to the tour.

Before the excursion, I visit the Ladies room. Purple people everyone. Doesn’t take long to figure out college football is underway. Everywhere I look there are Louisiana University fans. Baton Rogue. Lafayette. New Orleans. The home of Tabasco Sauce. Oh yeah, hot sauce. I got a tiny bottle at the New Orlean’s National Society of Newspaper Columnists conference; the bite is still on my tongue.

"Do you read Smiley Anders?" I ask while I wash my hands. "He's with the Advocate?"

"Every day!" The chorus erupts and I acknowledge that I know Smiley.

"Smiley's my friend," I introduce myself.

Without a doubt, I'm more welcome than a pot of crawdads at the tailgate party. Thanks, Smiley. My best new pals, the LSU gang, line up for the tour. This promises to be good.

My trip just gets better

The Chocolate and Coffee Decadence Tour by Seattle Savor Foods. Simply awesome. A must for anyone going to Seattle. First, Caroline, the perky tour guide, hands the eight participants headsets. No matter where we wander, we can hear Caroline on tour. Even those who step into tinkle or sprinkle - however you stand - attendees never miss a word of fun.

From Patrick's Flatliner cocktails at the Mayflower Hotel, to designer Lattes and salted caramels, Caroline keeps the tour on schedule, organized and professional. The tour ends at the top of the Space Needle as we enjoy the majestic view while savoring mocha braised short ribs. Superb tour.

Just under ninety minutes to catch my return bus to Sea-Tac airport, I go full circle and back to Patrick.

"I'm back." I relax on the stool as he notes my return. "Make me something very Seattle."

The perfect end to a fast 48-hours

Buzzed, I end my Seattle adventure. The aroma of fresh coffee beans drifts from my bag as I settle into my crunched airplane seat. The sun sets and a purple haze blankets the mountain range. Could it be? LSU fans take over Seattle?

Go Huskies…