Shawn came to Seattle last Thursday night to spend the weekend with me. We stayed at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront, and from the moment we arrived, things were remarkable! First, there was someone with an entourage of men in black on our floor. They even erected a curtain and set up a desk to deter people from going towards the presidential suite! I tried to pay one of the bell men to tell me who it was, but all he would say is that they had a "very important guest" at the hotel. Oh well. We will never know. The other remarkable thing was that the weather was actually cooperative all weekend!

On Friday, Shawn and I went on the Boeing Tour. The building was huge beyond comprehension! In the one area we were in, they were assembling five 777's at once! There was a lot of talk about their new 787's and a very cool 5 minute film about the assembly of a 777.



Randi met us later for dinner at Wild Ginger and then drinks. We always have a fun time hanging out together, and the only green thing any of us had on for St. Patrick's Day were Randi's green contacts! :)



On Saturday, Shawn and I joined a small bus tour, which started at three wineries: Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Winery and Silver Lake Winery. At the first, we had a nice tour of where they make the white wine. Maybe you recognize the picture of Shawn in front of the second? It was where that school teacher married her 14-year old lover. Yikes! We arrived there at the same time as the Spirit of Washington Dinner Train, so we just snuck in for three tastes. We had a quick five tastes at Silver Lake, which had the best to offer, but was housed in a building that reminded me of a pool supply store. Lunch was at the Redhook Ale Brewery.



After we were comfortably numb, we drove out to Snoqualmie Falls. Shawn and I tumbled down to the Falls through one of the dampest forests that I have ever been in. (Welcome to Seattle!) There were ferns and moss growing everywhere, and the sun struggled to come out. The walk back uphill was grueling and quickly cured us of our morning buzz, but check out these beautiful pictures of the Falls!



Another treat awaited us at the end of the tour…Boehms Chocolates! This was more Austrian than Austrian with saleswomen in dirndls and a sweet Alpine chalet. We were too full to even consider dinner after such a delicious adventure!

On Sunday, Shawn and I went to Pike Place Market, our mutual favorite place in Seattle. We started with delicious pastries from the Russian Piroshky Bakery. These kept us full enough to wander the busy market without drooling over all of the wares. We escaped with two small wheels of nettle gouda (one for Mom and one for us), a large pot of lavender-scented night cream for my face, a gorgeous Hungarian Tokaji from the wine shop, and salami and truffle gouda to eat for lunch.



For dinner, Shawn and I went to Brooklyn Seafood, Steak and Oyster House. Shawn enjoyed his crab cake appetizer and then halibut. I had a delicious salad and an excellent filet mignon with gorgonzola cheese. Also worth mentioning were the delicious Oregon pinot noir and the great service. Unfortunately, the crème brulee that we split for dessert was not as good as ours, but we had a great time. The next morning, I was sad to take Shawn to the airport for his long trip back to Atlanta.