DAY 8 - MONDAY

Our first stop this morning is the most iconic landmark in Seattle---the Space Needle.  Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, entitled the Age of Space, the Needle offers an observation deck and a revolving restaurant at the top.

It was a drizzly, overcast morning but we still had some great views of the area.

Of course, there were things to eat and buy at the top.

This next pic is not a double exposure.  I am standing on the outside portion of the observation deck taking a picture of Sarah who is inside. 

Our second stop of the morning was the Experience Music Project, a museum founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen in 2000. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There were many interactive musical activities for the kids to do such as jam in their own recording studio.

 

 

After all the “learning,” it was time for lunch at Zeeks pizza, a local pizzeria with some great pies.  On our way back to the bus, the clouds broke and we were treated to some Seattle sunshine and blue skies!

 

Now it was time to head to Ashford, WA and our time at Mt. Rainier.  Along the way, we stopped at a supermarket to pick up supplies as we will be doing our own cooking in the mountains.

Once we got settled in to our cabins and rooms, it was time to do some cooking.  Lesley and Karen are great cooks and they even found time to instruct some of the kids about the fine art of preparing a meal.

 

 

With our dinner prepared, it was time for grace.

 

 

And a salute to our chefs for a delicious rotini pasta dinner, complete with salad and bread.  We left our plastic cups on the bus so we had to use the glassware in the cabin which consisted of a large supply of wine glasses.  So, the kids drank their lemonade from wine glasses!

 

 

Those who didn’t help prepare the meal helped with the clean-up and washing of dishes.

 

After all that work, a couple of the boys couldn’t resist the call of the outdoor hot tub.

 

We were grateful for the safe journey here and look forward to venturing into Mt. Rainier National Park tomorrow.  One thing about being in these “neck of the woods” is that there is no cell coverage (although those with Verizon may have had some coverage).  The wi-fi is down tonight but we are told it will be fixed tomorrow. The staff at Cooper Creek Inn could not have been any nicer or more accommodating.  They are awesome people willing to help out with anything.  They even loaded their cars with our luggage to help us get it to our cabins. 

We all gathered round the television to watch “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” and then called it a night.  We were tired, for sure, but tomorrow we would be on "mountain time."

Oh, and one more thing:  here in the mountains when you go the faucet and turn on the cold water, you get COLD water.  Good night and thanks for your prayers.