Day 2

Our lodge next to the falls

As we know coffee is to Seattle as corn is to Indiana. However, when caffeine deprivation hits desperate times call for desperate measures so our first stop of the day was to Starbucks. We felt guilty and vowed to never do this again on our trip. Next, we drove into Seattle to the constant commentary from Steven about how much he loves this place; I got a rundown of every location in Seattle he’d visited as a kid.

We found our way downtown thanks to Garmin and walked to the Pike Street Market. The market was everything I hoped it would be with many food stands and of course the tossing and catching of fish. We had a meal on the seafront of crab legs, steamed clams, and a lobster tail. We wandered around Seattle for quite awhile before heading back to Snoqualmie Falls, where we went to the lookout point. The falls are spectacular and the lodge where we are staying couldn’t be in a better location. We decided it was too early to eat dinner and head in for the night so we jumped back in our car and headed to Little SI mountain. Totally unequipped for the hike we set off as we scoffed at what the hotel labeled a moderate climb. Considering ourselves reasonably fit we saw the 2,000 foot elevation change as a light challenge for the day. Of course, the climb would have to be completed before the sun set so I decided to lead the place rather quickly. My co-pilot Steven was able to give a step by step account of our pace and distance thanks to the Garmin

now strapped to his wrist. (Think of a massive update to the once worn

At the top of Little SI

calculator watch). Somehow Steven makes even the most remote places seem technologically equipped. Pretty soon the slope steepened up quite a bit and

the breathing became heavier. The views were astounding and we both were thankful to have not settled for the typical honeymoon locale. After racing our way to the top we found what appeared to be a group of Microsoft

employees enjoying a snack (Steven insisted their jokes about software recursion made perfect sense). We took some pictures and then headed back down the mountain.

Driving back from Little SI to our lodge (a trip of about 10 minutes), we were surprised to see a line of cars pulled up on the side of the road. As we got closer, we realized the field nearby was full of large elk. This was the perfect opportunity to use our new camera to capture shots of the elk with the mountains in the background. I captured some stunning photos, once I finally got Steven to relinquish the camera (he keeps referring to it as “his precious”).

After a delicious dinner of sushi Steven’s elfish heritage required the consumption of ice cream. (Specifically sweet cream ice cream with smashed oreos).

Off to snooze, GPS fixed Steven and Lack of Sweet Tooth Libby

Traveling question of the day: If the lodge has only valet parking is it necessary to tip every time you need your car?

Credit: Libby Kady. Not Steven.