Seattle part 3-Oh The Places I'll Go!

What a fantastic day for adventuring in Seattle! I slept really well last night, so I felt like I was ready to catch a ferry and get out on the water.

Riding a ferry in and of itself was a fun and new experience. I had crossed the Mississippi River on a much smaller ferry as a child, but this was much different. This ferry has 2 levels for up to 200 cars ,and a center area for larger delivery/semi trucks.

There were 3 levels accessible to riders that included inside and outside viewing areas, a cafe and bar.(Probably hopping around 5:30 commute home time) It was not crowded at all, and the staff were all more than happy to answer my many questions about the ferry and landmarks around us.

Mt Rainier is not always visible like this. She popped out to greet me!

I arrived on Bainbridge Island and found a storybook fishing community. They have created a lovely waterfront walking trail that wound its way along the shore, past marina's and through quaint oceanside neighborhoods. I would love to come back and stay on the island to really experience it.

Fun rock sculptures looking over one of the marina's.

Approaching picturesque Bainbridge Island.

I had such a lovely wander, and found myself going just a bit further to see what is over there..and then a bit further yet. Suddenly my body yelled "Um HELLO!" and I realized that I had happily wandered to the end of my oomph, and knowing that I had a ferry ride and a climb up Pike Street before I could collapse I started my "slow, strong, painful steps", just one after another.

The ferry ride gave me a bit of a chance to stretch, sit, and catch my breath, as well as make a friend. I had boarded the Ferry next to  a  young woman on her own, and we chatted. At the end of the ride we separately found our way to the front end of the ferry and were talking about the different landmarks, as she had not yet explored Seattle. Though I was so tired, we decided that we would go ride the giant ferris wheel together because some things are more fun shared.

In my short time with her I realized what I love so much about exploring on my own. If I had Dan with me, I most likely would not have engaged in the same sort of conversation with an absolute stranger. I would not have been spontaneous and seized the opportunity to connect just a little bit more.

This is Benafsha and I up in the giant ferris wheel, which was more spectacular than I expected it to be!

We hugged farewell, thankful for our hour or so together, and I started the intense and painful climb up the hill. I could have found the elevators from the parking garage for Pike Street Market and saved myself 6 flights up burning thighs, but I was determined to climb back up myself. I did!

I crawled into a hot shower, into bed with my hot pad, and spent quite a few hours trying to tame the aches, and to just glow a bit because I had just a wonderful day!