While Chloe was at ballet, Randy, Christy, and I got donuts at the Top Pot in Capitol Hill and then went walking around some of Seattle’s more charming houses. We picked Chloe when she was done and made a quick stop at an outdoor market for some things, including smoked salmon—which I really must try again, it was wonderful.

Headed back downtown for some touristing at the Pike Place Market, complete with the famous fish tossing I remember having seen on The Real World. Found a store that sold nothing but old magazine advertisments. Wandered around Pioneer Square and stopped in the Elliott Bay Book Company where I bought my first moleskine.

The real treat was getting to take a harbor tour on the Spirit of Seattle, one of the ships Randy pilots for Argosy Cruises. The rare weather offered some breaks in the clouds so I took scads of pictures. Here’s one Randy took of Christy, Chloe, and me in front of Seattle Space Needle.

Here’s a view of the downtown city skyline as we approached the pier to dock.

After the tour we left Randy behind, he was scheduled to pilot the next cruise that evening. So Christy, Chloe and I went out in search of dinner, but not before stopping to see the quintessential view of Seattle, just as the sun was setting.

Stopped at Thai Tom along The Ave (UW’s Franklin Street) to order takeout, which I’m told should make Patrick green with envy. And it was damn good. We were thinking about you buddy, have a plate of pulled pork for us.

After dinner Christy and I went out to hear some more bluegrass, a local band called The Tall Boys, consisting of 4 dudes and a rockin’ female tap dancer for percussion. Apparently this is the thing. Makes me wish I’d learned to hoedown during my time in North Carolina. It’s never too late to dosey-do I ‘spose.