The Northwest Adventure: Day One

When my hubby heard he would be in Seattle for some job-related meetings, we decided I would go with him and make a trip of it.  My mother-in-law and sister-in-law came to watch the kiddies and after many gut-wrenching and stress-inducing hours of cleaning, organizing, leaving notes, folding laundry, arranging schedules and plans, we left.  It is so hard to get gone, but it's worth it when you're finally off.

So for the first day, whilst he was in meetings, I had the day completely to myself.  I slept in.  I got ready at my leisure.  I dilly dallied and I took my time-sweet-time.  I lounged.  I took a forever shower.  I tried on different outfits.  I gazed out the window.  I explored our very fancy and old hotel.  And I even got bored once.  It was fabulous.  I never get bored anymore.

Next I headed off to find breakfast.  I had a little quiche-like pastry on brioche and a cheesecake bite.  Then I went back to the hotel to check out and begin my epic adventure for one.

As I was checking out and gave my room number, the lady at the front desk said, "Oh, you have a message waiting."  She then handed me a sweet note from the hubby, pulled from the cubby corresponding with our room number.  Sweetness.  That is one of my all time dreams.  I about swooned.  Gosh how romantical.  Too bad I wasn't wearing an evening gown.  But.  Now I can cross that off my bucket list.  Receive a love note in a room-numbered cubby in a swanky hotel and have the front desk lady say, "You have a message waiting."  Check.  After that momentous moment, I hopped in a car for a complimentary drive to downtown, arranged by the concierge.  My own personal driver if you will (at least for those 10 minutes).  Again, too bad I wasn't wearing something a little more fancy than red tennis shoes. Also, too bad I didn't have a club or something to go to so I could have said, "Driver, take me to the club".  Either way it was awesome and as I scrambled in with my umbrella, camera and jacket, I said, "Ummmm.  Take me to Pike Place Market."  And he did.

I decided to spend the day at Pike Place because I figured I could kill a lot of time wandering, eating, perusing and people-watching.  I was right.  I looked at all the markets and little shops, I visited the gum wall (and forgot to add mine), I browsed used book stores (and bought a couple of books for Mr. C), I sat and ate a crepe while reading the book I just bought, I people-watched and enjoyed all of the different things going on around me.  I went where I wanted and left when I wanted.  It was fun and a bit surreal.  No one tugged on my arm or wailed, "Moooooooom, MOMMMMM!".  No one begged me to buy them something.  No one whined, complained or cried.  I didn't have to take anyone to the bathroom.  It was wondrous.  I strolled, I went where the wind took me, and enjoyed every last minute.  

After my hubby was finished with his meetings, I walked up to meet him and take in the view from the 73rd floor of the building he was working in.  It was amazing.  What perspective from way up there.  And then I jabbered incessantly because I'd been alone all day.