Seattle, Day 1

We didn't get out of the Grandparents' until after 10, so we didn't make it to the hostel until 12:30. Following Google's directions, I was able to make it to the hostel and then to the parking garage in one try (no need to loop around the block). We did manage to haul all our stuff (including the cooler and food) to the hostel in 1 trip (yay!).

The Green Tortoise isn't the kind of hostel we normally stay in. We usually stay in Hosteling International hostels, while the Green Tortoise isn't associated with them. It must be political, because the Green Tortoise is a great hostel. We have real sheets instead of sleep sacks. The mattresses are spring (OK, I kind of prefer the usual hostel foam mats). The bunks each have a light, a fan, extra power plugs, and (so cool) curtains around the bunk for a little privacy :) It's nice to be able to shut out the light -- Haley was actually able to go to sleep before dark :)



Once we'd checked in, we wandered down to the aquarium. Very cool!

Haley's favorites were the sea otters.


She was a little unsure about touching some of the critters in the tide pool.


After the aquarium we walked to Pioneer Square and joined an Underground Tour.

This tour was actually primarily underground.


The city was originally built too low, so they raised the street level, leaving an entire street level more-or-less intact below. The original first floors of the old buildings became basements.


There was lots of neat old stuff down in the tunnels.


Then we ate dinner at Kell's Irish Restaurant. I got a bottle of Strongbow with my dinner!