July 10, 2015 - Alaska Trip - Seattle
We spent a day in Seattle.  Our first stop was the Chihuly Gardens and Glass at the Seattle Center.   This exibit features the art of Dale Chihuly, an American glass sculptor.
   
I liked the glass art.
   
 
   
Better than paintings, in my opinion.
   
 
   
 
   
Outside, the glass art was comingled with plants and trees in the gardens.
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
 
   
Then it was time to ride the Duck Boat!  It's basically a tour of Seattle on amphibious "Duck" boats which were originally built for military use in World War II.
   
Waiting to board our Duck boat.
   
The ride was hilarious.  The driver was part driver, part tour guide and part comedian.
   
Approaching the famous Pike Place market.
   
Each tourist is issued a duck call.
   
The Duck Boat ahead of us about to enter Lake Union.
   
Ah, the Duck Boats actually do float!  Good to know.
   
Looking back at the Seattle skyline.
   
Float plane coming into land.
   
Big house boats.
   

Near the end of the tour, we passed by the Elephant Super Car Wash, a Seattle landmark since 1956..

Alas, only two months after our Duck Boat tour, in September 2015, a Duck vehicle was involved in a crash on the Aurora Bridge that killed five people and injured more than 60.  Ride the Ducks of Seattle stopped operations in March 2020 and filed for bankruptcy in April 2020, citing the “legal issues” around the crash and the Chinese Virus shutdown.   Awards to each of the 40 plaintiffs ranged from $40,000 to $25 million.
   
We drove up to the Everett area and met up with my long time friend Stan.  Stan and I checked out Paul Allen's Flying Heritage museum which is located at Paine Field.  For details of the visit, check out this Link.
   
We stayed in his neat Bed & Breakfast at Everett.
   
The three of us reliving old times in a Seattle bar/restaurant.
   
The view out the B&B at Everett Naval Base.  I was surprised at its small size.  You can see a couple of Destroyers tied up at the pier.
   
The next day I checked out the Seattle Museum of Flight Restoration Center which is also located at Paine Field.  Here is the Link.
   
 
   
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