The Great Wheel adventure

West Seattle Water Taxi

My sister Marji and I were out and about yesterday and it was an amazing warm, cloudless day for early October.  We took water taxi across Elliott Bay to the Seattle waterfront.

Having out-of-state visitors helps you see your own backyard again with new eyes.

What a shock leaving peaceful West Seattle and getting dumped off the boat into construction chaos along the waterfront.  Big Bertha is seriously stuck somewhere under all the mess.  The optimistic estimate for drilling to resume is March 2015.




Most of the familiar places (Ivar's, Elliott's Fish House, Old Curiosity Shop, etc.) were closed and pedestrians had to weave along makeshift sidewalks.

Here's an artist's drawing of the future waterfront. I hope I'm still around then to see it!

Anyway, we made our way slowly along the waterfront with a few other hardy tourists. Then a tasty fish and chips lunch, right in shadow of the Great Wheel. Eating outdoors in Seattle in October?  Incredible.

Up we went-- no ticket lines, no waiting, and a private car. Four turns on the Big Wheel instead of the usual three. Amazing views as far as the eye could see.

 

 

I'd recommend eating that large, fried fish lunch AFTER the ride.
:-)