Is that a nod to the crispy Seattle weather?

We woke up this morning bright and early at 7:45 am to get a jumpstart on our day.  And by "we" I mean, I woke up and then woke Colleen up.  I don't want her adjusting to Pacific time until she moves here.

We got ready and then headed out to conquer the world one donut at a time at Top Pot Donuts which Kathryn recommended we try.  It was pretty delicious but we like the baby donuts better.  Then we headed to Nordstrom (the original one!!) to get Colleen some Hunter boots.  Well we probably should have called ahead because apparently Seattle doesn't get going by 9am.  So instead we walked a mile to get coffee from an independent coffee shop we hit on the tour yesterday but hadn't tried any coffee at (Zeitgeist).  Then armed with our warm drinks we headed down to the waterfront to go to Ye Olde Curiosity Shop.  It's just another site to see on our list!!

After that we headed to Smith Tower for a second attempt to get on the observation deck and SUCCESS!  Colleen and I both sat in the Chinese Wishing Chair upstairs.  As the legend goes, single ladies who sit in that chair get married within a year.  I sat in it two years ago and nothing happened but I kissed one of the lions this time, so here's hoping.  Two Kappa weddings in 2011?  Maybe!

By this time, Seattle had finally started functioning (in addition to all the crazies coming out) and we headed back to Nordstrom.  Unfortunately the attempt to get the boots failed but I at least discovered that I am too short for the tall Hunter boots.

The plan for day 2 was to go hiking so we were going to have to get into a car at some point.  We made it all day yesterday without every having to get in a car!  How Amish.   But today we decided to spice things up a bit.  We first stopped by Araya Vegetarian Place which is a vegetarian Thai buffet.  There were some pretty delicious things on the buffet, I do have to say.  I still kind of missed meat but I was definitely full all day.  Possibly from all the fiber...possibly from the mass quantities of food.  It was at lunch we discovered that we forgot to put the locks on our schedule so we were very spontaneous and went to the Chittenden Locks!  We got to see a few boats go through and we learned all about smolts (baby salmon).

Then we headed to Discovery Park which is said to be a sight to see.  It was absolutely beautiful and we walked the whole thing!!  We went down on the beach, played in tree houses, found walking sticks, climbed stairs, got super muddy, and were more outdoorsy then I ever could have hoped for.

After the hike we went and saw the Fremont Troll which is just something else you have to see while you're here.  We got our picture taken and then headed back to the hotel where Colleen once again forced me into the gym even though we had just hiked what felt like 100 million miles.

Then it was time to get cleaned up and head back out again.  We decided to go to dinner at Anthony's Bell Street Diner per the recommendation of one of Colleen's interviewers.  It was quite delicious and Colleen finally got to try oysters!  I tried oysters during an audit in New Orleans and have no desire to ever eat them again.  After that we headed to the market (for good measure) and then finally walk home.

It was quite an exhausting day but we have long flights home tomorrow to catch up on any sleep we're lacking.  And the best part, I got upgraded to first class!  Cha ching!