Bainbridge Island

I have lots of lists of things to visit and do in the various cities I visit, but a trip to Bainbridge Island wasn't on my Seattle list (in face Seattle was only on the itinerary because it was a convenient point between Vancouver Island and San Fransisco) but I ended up catching the ferry over there yesterday afternoon and having a lovely time. It was a glorious clear sunny day after the rain and there were fabulous views of snow capped mountains in the distance - including Mount Rainier, Seatle's local volcano. Bainbridge Island is very low key; the attendants in the tiny museum (both aged around 90) were thrilled to have an overseas visitor. But the great thing was the well-signposted walking trails along the waterfront, and through woods and delightful residential areas. (Plus a cafe serving real PG Tips)

I also ended up on the same ferry there and back as two French women teaching in Los Angeles who were in the same dorm as me and have given me their contact details to look them up when I hit LA.

Earlier in the day I'd been to the Olympic Sculpture Park (see picture) - great landscaping, but some of the artworks didn't seem to have much in the way of craft or beauty - some were excellent though.

Today the rain returned - but Seattle has the answer - an underground tour. Seattle used to be very prone to flooding, so they raised the streets and pavements up one storey and turned upstairs windows into doors but the old pavements and ground floors are still there and make for an entertaining and very different visit.

Back on the train tomorrow - this time the Amtrak Coast Starlight to San Fransisco. It's a 24 hour journey but I'm told the reclining seats are very comfy so I've not booked a berth! Next time I add to the blog I may have a stiff neck or be very sleepy.

PS - I've not been up the Space Needle in Seattle, though I've taken lots of photos of it - you can see it through the sculpture in the picture here. I decided that the Empire State Building and the CN Tower were enough tall buildings for one continent!