Thank God for a great day in Seattle, Washington Sept 3, 2014 (pics galore!)

Aloha folks and welcome back to day 2 of my trip to Seattle with my family. So we woke up around 7AM in the morning and left the hotel (free breakfast grabs btw) around 7:45AM to head to the Big Four Ice Caves at Granite Falls for a friendly family hike. The drive from Aurora was nearly an hour and a half. To make things easier, make sure you buy a day pass when you see the ranger station as you enter Granite Falls to your left. The one day pass is $5. If you miss the station, you have another chance to pay by putting money into the envelope and putting it in the drop box in the beginning of the hike.

The hike is roughly 2 miles round-trip. The path way to the caves is an easy hike. When we got to the ice caves, lots of the ice melted. I could recall the ice being stretched all the way towards the beginning of rocks that lead to the ice caves when I was back here in 2011. There is also a memorial cross to Grace Tam, 11 years old, who died back in 2010 when a big chunk of ice landed on her. Though she never died right away, it took hikers a long time to rush back to civilian areas for help.

Pay your respects if you have to but remember to be careful as you can see there are a lot of holes in the cave decks. Plus, the ice really seems thinned out. For the most part, me and my family steered clear of going inside the caves. I did go inside one of the caves back in 2011. All I can say is be careful and if you do go into a cave, bring a flashlight, heavy duty jacket and boots. Because the ice is constantly melting causing a stream to run aground, jacket because its super cold, and flash light because the more you hike in, the less you will see light. Overall, please be careful because if something happens to you, its a long way from help.

Sadly, the U.S. Forest service made the Tam family take down their cross because of our God-hating laws these days. What has our nation turned into? And our nation preaches love but yet I don't see any love in this.  Remember we are still a nation under God plus freedom of speech and religion.  No reason for the U.S. Forest service to do what they did. I betcha if a bunch of atheists placed some marker, aside from a cross, there will be no hissy fit thrown. No questions asked, period. Oh well, God will resolve the rest. I will continue to pray for the Tam family that they stay strong in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here's the link:

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/family-grace-tam-11-killed-ice-caves-forced-take-down-cross-they-placed-her-memory

Return to the Ice Caves!

My mom having fun.

I will conquer thee!

The white parts are very slippery. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Roughly at noon, we decided to head back into town to eat at Paseo Caribbean Restaurant located at Fremont. I didn't get a pic of the store because it is very difficult to find parking so I had to drop my sister off and had her buy the sandwiches while I drove around.

The sandwiches are about a foot long and are very tasty. I recommend trying here if any of you ever come to Seattle. Definitely worth the $8. 

 Fremont Troll!

Very hard to find parking, so good luck. Thank Jesus that I found one close by. For those with smartphones, I recommend you use Google maps to find this place. This troll can be tricky to find. The address is 3405 Troll Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103.

The Fremont Troll!

There is a troll on the troll!

Many thanks to: Steve Badanes, Will Martin, Donna Walter, and Ross Whitehead-- the creative artists of the Fremont Troll. 

We are still hungry! Nah, my mom wasn't into the Paseo sandwiches so we went back into international district to have Dim Sum at Four Seas Restaurant. Cool thing is that if you eat there, there is free parking. As for the food, it was okay.

After Dim Sum, my mom had the urge to see the Space Needle. My sister also wanted to go check out the Chihuly Garden and Glass nearby. The parking is outrageously expensive. Be careful of some of the people there. They will teach you how to use the machine to pay for your parking lot ticket, but of course, their services don't come free. Its not that I don't want to help the poor but it really feels tacked on when people do this especially I've been lied to many times in the past by people begging for money. Times are hard I know, but it isn't right imo when you force yourself upon others expecting them to tip you money. I guess you can always say no if you see them. I guess its best to try buy them food and if they refuse it, then you know.

Space Needle

You have to admit, God made it a beautiful day in usually rainy Seattle!

 Chihuly Glass and Garden

Space Needle from inside

Chihuly wasn't my cup of tea. It was nice architect and designs but I don't think I will go for 2nds. $20 admission-take all the pictures you want for those who are interested.

Since we had time and still digesting from the food we scarfed at Chinatown. We went to Kerry Park, where the Space Needle is within your grasp. Lots of free parking, so take advantage of this family friendly area.

If you look carefully, you can see Mt. Rainier to your right.

For those who gave up, Here you go.

Poking fun at the needle.

Time to pick my artifact.

Dinner time! Back to Chinatown! Again!!!! Seriously, we were driving in circles all day.

Boiling Point

Next to Uwajimaya. They validate parking so no worries.

House Special Hot pot soup

Taiwanese Spicy Hot Soup.

Warning!!!! The Taiwanese Spicy Hot Soup is extremely Spicy. Not even the milk from the milk tea can cool your tongue. Taster's discretion is cautiously advised!!!

Next up: Home! Extended Stay America-Northgate for the 2nd and final night.

Thank the good Lord we made it this far. Day 3 will be next and we will be heading to Portland, Oregon.  Thank you folks. And thank you Jesus for a safe and great 2nd day in Seattle.

I recommend going to all these places that you've seen in this pic provided that you have the time if you are ever in Seattle. As for the hotel, Extended Stay America is decent. For $99 a night you can't go wrong. They don't do housekeeping so that is a big turnoff for those you expect tidy linens, towels, and accessories daily. So maybe $99 is too much. Free internet though... yeah, not much of an enticement these days. 


Disclaimer: E-mail me if you want pic usage. The copyright on the pics is to prevent false representations of me and my family or using my likeness to slander me. Have a nice day.