SEATTLE

Our flight to Seattle was dreadful. Seven hours on the equivalent of Easy Jet. No food, weak tea, soft drinks and 'Men in Black'. Check in at JFK was totally confusing, with Mike paying $25 per hold bag, when every other passenger hauled ALL their baggage aboard, despite frequent warnings that only hand luggage was allowed. Oversized luggage was crammed into overhead lockers and a dog in a cage  pushed under a seat. We were two of the four people who waited at the carousel for luggage to arrive!
It was 11pm when we arrived at our historic Seattle bnb to find the key in the mailbox and a note from our hosts telling us to help ourselves to beer and wine!!! We woke each morning to banana loaf, raspberry scones, yoghurts and fresh coffee, but not a greeting from their ferocious looking pit bull terrier, who is afraid of people!

 We could walk from the house Downtown.( It was tough walking back as the house was on a steep hill.) Downtown seafront was quite industrial. However, the famous Pike Market was brilliant with fresh fruit flowers, fish, meat, baked goods and crafts all stacked to tempt. Free samples were offered and we obliged.

Tescos could learn a thing or two about presentation!!

Starbucks originated here. The original Starbucks mermaid logo had boobs boldly displayed on the window. Black harmonising buskers crooned by the entrance as we queued for our coffee-excellent!
Smoke from forest fires obliterated the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier which was clearly visible on every postcard on sale. Consequently we didn't go up The Space Needle.

Sadly, there were many vagrants in this area, some clearly stoned. some kicking off. One beggar had a piece of cardboard on which was written ' Weed, beer and smokes'. Least he was honest about what HE wanted the money for.                     Pike brewery brought a smile to Mike's face. The bar was below pavement and full of atmosphere. We arrived at happy hour. Good food and cheap beer.
We walked to the old part of Seattle, where beautiful houses with immaculate gardens, formed streets lined with gas lamps overlooking The Sound.                                                                                        

  
 In the centre of town was a square where the trees were painted blue. Anthony Gormley type (I meant to look it up to see who created them) statues sat or stood around as if talking to one another. Tables and chairs were randomly set out for people to eat lunch or drink coffee while buskers played. An enormous chess set gathered a crowd as people challenged one another. It was a great place to relax and take five.


BUT after NY we felt we had had too much city. We were anxious to get our hire car and set off for Yellowstone........................................................................

New York Photographs. Have finally sussed how to do it,

The Chrysler Building

 The Empire State Building

 This one is for Shirls.

Fashion night, (really good fun) This was a real model!

The Emanu-el Temple on 5th Ave.

Excellent band in the heat of the subway

Walking over Brooklyn Bridge, having come from the Brooklyn Brewery!!!!

                                         Storm clouds over Manhattan. Two tornadoes hit NY.

 Times Square on panoramic

 The Roosevelt Plaza

 Times Square again.

The naked cowboy in Times Square!!!