From Lovely Bremerton to Lovely Home

It was a great two days exploring Seattle. If you don’t believe me, you can read all about it yourself.

After I arrived back in Bremerton from the Seattle ferry, I decided to hit up my favorite eatery for a delicious dinner.

I passed part of the Bremerton Navy Shipyard while walking the four blocks to Toro Lounge.

Spring has definitely sprung in this part of the world. After a beautiful seventy-one degrees today, this flower was showing its beauty for all the world to see.

Or, at least the people in Bremerton. And the four people who read my blog.

Ah, the Toro Lounge. I love this place!

The inside is cute and quaint and modern. I usually grab a table to stay for my dinner, but I decided to get it to-go tonight.

My hotel is a whole two blocks away, and I can eat dinner, rest my feet, and watch some Food Network. You can’t beat that!

While waiting for my meal to arrive, I enjoyed the frequently-rotated art on the walls.

These are done by local artists and are actually for sale. I really liked this ski lift one, though I don’t ski.

When back in my room, I could hardly wait to unwrap my favorite food in Bremerton…

Truffle Oil Papas Frites with Curried Ketchup.

Yep, they are all that and a bag of chips fries.

These are pure heaven. They didn’t exactly go along with my healthy goals, but I walked off quite a few calories today, too. So we’re good.

And it’s worth it, anyway. I would never miss out on these beauties!

To counteract the papas frites, I also got an order of edamame.

That makes everything equal, right?

I thought so.

The next morning, it was time to head to church, then grab a quick lunch, then head to the airport to prep Gladys for our trip home.

This is our view of Bremerton after finishing the three-hour block at church. Isn’t this gorgeous?!

As much as I hate eating out like this on Sundays, sometimes it can’t be helped on a work day. We grabbed a lunch at Olive Garden before our 2.4-hour flight home later this afternoon.

I think it’s wonderful that healthier options are now available. It seems like a lot of the big chain restaurants are offering things like this for people who had papas frites for dinner the night before are watching what they eat.

Of course, I am not a fan of the prices. When on earth did Olive Garden get so ridiculously expensive?

They know that they’re just selling noodles and sauce, right?

I got the minestrone soup for my appetizer option. This whole bowl, of which I could only eat half, was only about ninety calories. Not too shabby!

I got the Capellini Pomodoro from the healthier menu. Again, just noodles and sauce. For $12.50.

It was OK, but I only had a few bites. I boxed up the rest for Hubby to eat when I got home. He wasn’t a fan.

Luckily, Gladys’ nose baggage compartment is a flying refrigerator! Since it isn’t pressurized, anything placed in there before a flight stays nice and sometimes frozen cold.

My extra pasta and some breadsticks when home in this manner.

Then we hit the road again to head back to the Bremerton National Airport about seven miles south of town.

And here we are!

With such gorgeous weather and it being a Sunday, this airport was hopping! Everyone wants to fly on a beautiful weekend!

Even little Cessnas with original 1970s paint!

As always, Avian Flight Center was just wonderful to us. We feel so spoiled when we come here.

Real stairs!

Man, I love this airplane!

Isn’t this a cute little terminal? I don’t even know what’s inside, since the solitary airport FBO is next door. And there is a little restaurant on the other side.

Who knows what happens in this blue building!

After our passengers arrived and we had the airplane loaded, it was time to make a call on the CTAF frequency to announce to the world that we were taxiing to the runway for departure.

Bremerton doesn’t have a tower, so we get to do a lot of stuff manually. Including calling Seattle Center on the ground to get our IFR clearance and release.

Soon, we were waving goodbye to sweet little Bremerton.

Can you see the runway down there just behind the wing?

And then we had to suffer through some gorgeous views of downtown Seattle.

Man, I feel like I was just there!

And we flew right over the tiny Tacoma Narrows Airport. Can you see it down there just to the right of the bridge to Tacoma?

Yep, it’s tiny.

There are all sorts of pockets of water around these parts. The Puget Sound is huge!

Mount St. Helens used to be huge, too, until she blew her top.

It was nice and cool, so Gladys has no trouble climbing high and fast. We were pretty heavy today!

We flew high and fast all the way home, actually.

Which put us above some of these developing storm clouds.

These would be buuuuumpy, so I’m glad that we are way above them!

Before we knew it, the descent into our home town had commenced. It had been such a wonderful nine days on the road.

Like we usually do from this direction, we flew the JCOBS2 Arrival into Phoenix. Here we are headed Direct to SWIRL, since it is highlighted in pink.

The little green noodle line just in front of us represents where we will be level for our descent.

We started to see signs of civilization once again. It feels great to be home!

We turned a right base-to-final leg for our runway. Isn’t this pretty? Cleared to land, Runway 21!

While on that turn, this is the view out the right-side of the window. Lots of green this time of year!

Since we’re already 103 degrees today, I think that some of this Spring green will wear off.

Hi, Tower! Thanks for welcoming us home!

There is the airport fire station, too.

I even wore my new shoes today! How fun!

Cute and comfortable…what more could you possibly need on your feet?

It was a gorgeous eighty degrees when we landed. We unloaded the airplane and loaded the car to get our passengers on their way home.

I’d say this airplane has earned her keep these past few months. What do you think?

One last shot to complete this looooong trip. We’ve done New York City and Seattle in less than two weeks. What more could a girl possibly want?

A week at Disneyland with her Mama and brother? Well, OK. There’s always that. And it’s next!

Chocolate Caramels and Space Needles

It was a wonderful walk through Pike Place Market. I love this entire city and sure do enjoy spending time here on a day off.

You can see the market down below, with the beautiful ocean right behind.

But just one block up from the market are even more adorable shops. I had never really wandered through these streets before, but you’ll soon see why I was particularly glad today that I did.

They call all of these tangents from the main Pike Place Market “Post Alley.” And there are lots of them!

But, for some unknown reason, one wonderful little shop in particular really drew me in. Any idea why?

“Tractor beam. Sucked me right in.” (Name that movie)!

I have been so good on my new eating-healthy goals that I decided that a treat could happen. A mini splurge, if you will. So I walked into this chocolate shop to see what all the fuss was about.

Stamp of approval here, folks. But I usually always get the same thing in places like this!

I was a little daring by having the sea salt added on top of this milk chocolate caramel. It was so delicious and sweet and salty.

What a treat indeed! I grabbed a chair and ate tiny bites to make it last forever.

Five minutes later, it was time to be on my way!

I decided to walk back towards the north side of Pike Place Market to visit one of my favorite parks. There are always tons of people here on a nice day, and, as you can plainly see, it was a very nice day!

Goodbye, little ferry!

The park, which is called the Victor Steinbruek Park, is just north of Pike Place, which is how so many people find it.

It used to house an old National Guard Armory before it was torn down in 1968. The land was then purchased by the city and transformed into a park in 1972.

I had a lovely bench that I enjoyed while watching some very interesting people.

It was a nice afternoon to sit outside and enjoy some sun.

Until…

The three kids (maybe twenty years old and not productive members of society, obviously) next to me had been talking about pot the entire time I sat there. Then, to my utter shock and horror, they lit up right next to me!

In broad daylight!

In a public park!

I couldn’t believe it.

So I kindly asked them to leave, and they did.

But, unfortunately, I now know what that awful stuff smells like. And it smells terrible, like a skunk. Who would want that in his body?!

After they moved far, far away from me with their stupid drugs, I once again enjoyed the view of the shipping harbor and ferris wheel.

As you can see, graffiti artists have even managed to climb this sign to leave their magical touch.

Crazy!

This keyboard guy was hilarious. He wasn’t very good, but he was very intensely into his music.

Apparently, he had some fans. Look at that cute little couple in the background enjoying his tunes!

If standing next to the park near the freeway, this was the view when I turned around to see towards the east. Lots of shops and condos.

After leaving the sunny park behind, I decided to head next towards the Space Needle. I always visit it on every trip. It’s a fun place.

As I walked, I passed a little bar that had these strict requirements for what their guests wore. I thought that it was very comprehensive and funny.

Boy, am I glad that I left my dew rag at the hotel!

One road was completely torn up. They are always improving this city, which I love. It’s very well-maintained.

Seattle is just so nice. Please go.

I try to walk a different route every time to the Space Needle. This particular day, I passed this cute little bakery.

Next time that I’m in town, I think that I will grab lunch here. For the rest of my day, I saw people carrying Macrina Bakery bags, so it must be quite a popular place!

Don’t look at their menu if you’re hungry!

I continued plunking along 1st Avenue and passed some pretty residential buildings that had recently undergone a facelift. It would be so much fun to live in this part of town!

And the street was surprisingly quiet for such a busy place just a few blocks away!

But oh these blossoms that were in bloom!

And they smelled so good!

When I was here with Hubby last Labor Day, we passed this Lucky Diner after eating at the Steelhead Diner near Pike Place Market.

We decided that next time that we are in town, we will eat here for a meal. So I’m going to wait for him to do it!

Their menu was adorable and looked pretty tasty, too.

Now I can’t wait!

I think a high-rise would be just perfect here, to take advantage of the awesome views all around. The Puget Sound on one side, the Space Needle towards the north, downtown Seattle just to the south, and Pike Place Market just in front.

Can you imagine? I do all the time.

My suspicions were confirmed! They did paint the Space Needle since last I came here!

It used to be orange, but I love this bright aqua mint green much more! I wonder how often they paint it?

What a gorgeous day to explore the Seattle Center area today!

In fact, I made a graphic to hang up in the guest bedroom. Want to see it?

Poor things. Like you have any choice!

Chihuly Garden and Glass is such a beautiful building. I’ve seen his work on display here in Phoenix before at the Desert Botanical Gardens.

Dale Chihuly does some pretty incredible things with glass!

I walked past the glass museum to see the rear entrance to the Pacific Science Center.

They made it look like giant orca whales were swimming in the courtyard. What a cool idea!

And totally believable, with a little imagination!

I also loved the surrounding gardens, which were immaculately maintained, with this bronze whale fin sticking out for all the world to see.

Shouldn’t he be a little embarrassed?! That’s not the best angle for him.

There was a little park back in this area, too, which provided a beautiful view of the Space Needle.

But, let’s be honest here. Every view of the Space Needle is beautiful!

I kept seeing people walking around holding giant sticks of chocolate-covered strawberries. And then I found this.

It’s a strawberry trailer! Isn’t that cute?!

And they make any flavor imaginable of chocolate-covered strawberries. What a brilliant and healthy idea!

Their menu was cute, but my favorite part was this disclaimer: “All calories have been extracted from Shiskaberry’s utilizing the latest in wishful thinking technology.”

Dang! They’re on to me!

Can you believe that I didn’t purchase one of these babies? I had already had my treat with that incredible sea-salted milk chocolate caramel.

I’ll come back tomorrow to enjoy one of these, though, so don’t you fret!

How have I missed all of this previously?!

There is a gorgeous park with a giant fountain! I’ve never even come back this far before, and it seems that I have been missing out for sure!

Aren’t those houses cute behind the park? I would never turn down a chance to live here.

I even plopped down on a bench to watch a skate park in action!

Ironically, these were all grown men. Or, at least, they looked like they were in the mid-twenties.

Who knew?

Some little kids showed up later with razors and skateboards, and these guys were all nice to them. So that made me happy.

Though I’ve never been inside, this little shop just across from the Space Needle is one of my favorite sights. I think that it is so cute!

I’m afraid that if I go inside, I’ll buy something.

So I admire from afar, thankyouverymuch.

This building is pretty stinkin’ awesome. If you come to Seattle, it’s a must. Of course.

There are more museums at the Seattle Center. They are so pretty from the outside, too!

I started walking south out of the park today and passed the usual totem pole. I love how much the local culture sneaks into to so many aspects of Seattle landmarks!

I got so excited when the monorail went overhead!

I waved and smiled and waved some more.

And then I realized that I wasn’t at Disneyland. And that it wasn’t the Disneyland Monorail.

But guess what?! We’ll be there next week!

Eeeeeeeek!

What are some of your favorite spots in Seattle?