Seattle

You all know that I do plenty of research before taking a trip..... yes, partly because I am crazy like that but also because I want to be able to take in as much as I can in a new city. Good news about that is I am sharing with you all the fun we had! Sometimes the typical tourist spots can still be the best places to visit.

The gum wall. Why? NO idea but this Instagram worthy spot is a hot destination in Seattle. This is tucked in a alleyway by Pikes Place market and the fact that it is hidden and dirty just adds to the draw, for real. 

 The Fremont Troll is a massive art installation under a bridge. I will say this is about a $19 uber ride and 20 minutes outside of Seattle, also this is in a off beat spot so once you get your picture that is that. If you have the time go check this out, it's neat for sure but this doesn't need to top your list.

 I love everything haunted and historic so absolutely our first stop was the Underground Seattle Tour. I researched all the tours and took the Bill Spiedel's Tour which had the best reviews. You can check out their site HERE
Seattle is essentially built on top of old Seattle and the stories are incredible. The tour is 75minutes and I loved being down there picturing what is was like, seeing the memories left behind and wondering if spirits still lurk down below. Sadly, my hopes were a little high... the tour was jammed packed and although I learned a ton I still wanted more. BUT everyone I know loved this tour more than me and I highly recommend it.

There are still shop signs, bed springs and walk ways underground the Seattle that we all know. I wish I had had more time to go back and do a haunted night tour!

 We were lucky to be able to take in a baseball game while in Seattle. Matt and I love checking out stadiums and taking in games when we are on vacation. And this was a stunning Seattle day, it was so enjoyable..... Baseball, Sunshine, Food and drinks!

 Safeco field is pretty neat with the retractable roof and all and this stadium sits right next to the NFL stadium as well.

 I knew that Washington has quite the large wine industry and I was able to carve out a little time one afternoon to visit Chateau St Michelle winery in Woodinville, WA! You can check out the site HERE

 We got a free tour of the winery, saw the grapes and then had a tasting! It was fun because this brand is literally on so many wine lists it will be fun to look back and remember our time there! If you have more time there are a TON of smaller wineries all around Woodinville and you can stay the whole day and wine taste away!!! HERE is the website all about Washington Wine Country!

 The Space Needle is the one thing you always think about when you hear Seattle so we headed on over after breakfast one morning. Funny thing is that when we got up top I was SO SICK! I literally got vertigo so bad I felt like I was on a ship and I was sick to my stomach. I swear I am such a weirdo!

 The views from up top are awesome and you are able to stay as long or for me as short as you want!

 Then much to my surprise next door was the Chihuly Museum. Dale Chilhuly was from Seattle which I didn't know and this museum at the base of the space needle is the perfect place.

 Can you spot the space needle in this pic?

 The outdoor garden was equally as stunning and we were so glad that we stumbled upon this hot spot. Plan your trip HERE

 One day while Matt was in workshops I had a lovely morning at the Seattle Japanese Tea Garden!

 What made it even more incredible is the Fall colors all over Seattle and especially at this garden! I highly recommend checking this place out and if you do be sure to feed the Koi fish!
Check it out HERE

 Matt and I spent some time walking along the "boardwalk" we had Ivars clams, watched Seagulls attack people, we rode the huge Ferris wheel and then we checked out the Seattle Aquarium. We enjoyed it and we got to get really up close with otters and sea lions... both are Puppies of the sea! And you can't tell me anything different!

 You thought we were going to get thru this post without talking about the market? HA! Each day I spent a little time here, even getting flowers for our room for the week! BUT the best thing I did all week was the Early VIP Market Food Tour! They offer a ton of tours you can see HERE but the early morning was perfect. The market wasn't busy and who doesn't want to start the day off with fresh donuts? What was really neat is after the tour I went back and shopped at all those places!

 The famous fish throwing guys gave us a chance to catch fish and answer questions which was very cool! Just as I type this I am hungry for some fresh seafood!

One night for dinner we ate right next to this sign at Matt's in the Market, which was delish and with views like this... perfect!

Speaking of food where should you eat?? Oh don't worry I have you covered!!!! These places are so good and you won't go wrong.....
* Matt's in the Market
* Pikes Place Chowder 
* Ivars
AND my #1 place to eat in Seattle is...........
The Pink Door
Matt and I were both obsessed with that meal from start to finish and the fact that everything but their meat comes from their own farm is even more amazing!

Extra thing to do: Tour the Boeing Factory in Everett, WA! It was an incredible tour and day spent there!



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Day Trippin'

Saturday was a beautiful Colorado day and the perfect weather for a day trip! We headed up for a quick detour of the Georgetown house and as we were driving up the Guenella Pass there were hints of Fall Colors already!

 This picture should be called LOOK! We are on a rock! LOL! And ya those are two kayaking strangers photobombing us!

 On the drive to Georgetown I always pass Idaho Springs and I see the Argo Mine off in the distance and this was the day that we finally stopped!!!

 This mine stopped working over 100 years ago and JUST this past May was open to the public for tours! You didn't spend much time in the tunnels since most of them are flooded out but this mine still has the mill, it was incredible.

 There are rumors this is haunted and everything is JUST as it was 100 years ago so you can literally feel the past, the energy and imagine the stories these walls have seen!

We had such a fun day, busy yet somehow relaxing at the same time! The only bad thing about this weekend was after we got home from Idaho Springs I got really car sick which brought on a HUGE migraine which lasted thru Monday!

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

You all know that I LOVE animals but I have a hard time going to Zoo's. 4 years ago Mom and I went to the Denver Zoo and we left so upset that I haven't been back to any zoo since. I have always read about the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, one of 2 Zoo's in the US actually in the mountains and this is also the #5 Zoo in the country. I did research, read about their enrichment programs for the animals and conservation efforts and we all decided to give it a whirl!

 I am SO glad we did, this was the BEST Zoo experience I have ever had! And not just because we were able to get so close but because the animals all seemed so happy, their enclosures were amazing and every single day each animal has wonderful enriching things to keep them occupied.

 And oh ya, this happened........ We got to feed and love on Giraffes. We arrived right when the Zoo opened so there were over 16 Giraffes ready for breakfast! PLUS a baby Giraffe which was SO cute! And I thought their tongues would be slimy but they aren't! LOL

 We watched the Elephant yoga, which helps them loosen their joints and then we got to feed a 45 year old Elephant! She was so sweet, I was just sad it went by too fast.

 I haven't been this close to an elephant before and it was incredible, animals are so amazing. But no I couldn't pet or hug her that was against the rules and I get that!

 This is a a smile that conveys my pure joy!

 The Zoo is in Colorado Springs and overlooks the Broadmoor down below, it was just stunning!

 We were so lucky right when we walked up to the Tiger exhibit she was in full play mode! She was jumping, attacking her ball and swimming all around. It was the best.

 You guys check this little guy out..... this is a porcupine asleep on a branch with it's little tongue out. I swear it was so cute. Also a lot of animals are able to roam free, different birds, wallabies and these guys, sloths.... so neat

 Heck ya I snuggled a goat! Dad caught me telling it how sweet it is while giving it so much love.

 They had this fun restaurant in the Zoo that overlooked all of Colorado Springs and it was nice to relax for a bit before heading on. We thought we would be at the Zoo for 2 hours or so but we loved it so much we spent over 5 hours at the zoo!

 Ya, so this happened.... Mom and I rode the Carousel! It was actually MUCH faster than we thought it would be! LOL

 The Zoo also had a Ski lift that takes you over all the enclosures so the 3 of us jumped on. It was so fun.

 And of course before we left we had to go feed the giraffes one more time, it was just the neatest experience

 We had a great day, the only down side was navigating the 1000s of strollers everywhere! LOL

The Biltmore Estate

Each time we get to go on a Farmers Topper or Championship trip there is always a day where they offer us several day trips to choose from. Like coming up in Seattle we are going to the Boeing Plant which I am very excited about. And in Asheville we did the MUST see Biltmore Estate. 

You must check out the website for more information and pictures (HERE)The place and gardens plus the village is so large you literally cannot see it all in one day! The home was built in 1889 and that is mind blowing to think about how this stunning home came to be back then. To read up on the History of the Estate click HERE

This is the first thing you see when you walk into the Estate... the GRAND atrium and from this room, rooms like the foyer, office, sitting room, piano room are all set off this grand indoor "garden"

 The basement was my favorite part... to see the servants quarters, gym, laundry, pantry, bowling alley and this pool. I personally thought it was kinda creepy and I couldn't imagine swimming in this enclosed room. BUT especially for the time period this is incredible and those lights on the bottom are original.

 The kitchen was also in the basement and it really encompassed around 3 rooms, I can't imagine cooking for hundreds in this kitchen in the 1800s.

 The Grand ballroom was just that GRAND! When we walked in it truly took my breathe away, I can only imagine how stunning this room is at Christmas time... Now and Then.

The gardens take up acres and we ran out to time to see them all but man it was a HOT day so we were excited to find us some shade to enjoy some afternoon relaxation!

After the Estate Tour we headed over to the village to visit the Winery, it was so neat! They have a HUGE tasting room and you can taste as much as you want before you buy. 

 Matt and I really enjoyed the Malbec so we got us a bottle to bring home and are just waiting on the right meal to open it up at.

Over all this was such a lovely day and all we needed was MORE time!