Two days over two weekends in Seattle

We were in Seattle for a day before our Alaskan cruise and a day after, and it seemed like we visited during two different seasons. The day before was gray and chilly, a week later it was terribly hot -- the first heatwave of the summer, from what we heard.

Whatever the weather, we spent our time wisely. During the gray day, we walked to and through Pike Place Market and grabbed some empanadas outside. Then we strolled to Olympic Sculpture Park and the Space Needle. The nearby Artists at Play playground was a grand surprise for and big hit with the kids, and we probably spent an hour there, watching them climb ropes even I would have been too scared to do!

Our second day in Seattle was the day we disembarked from the cruise. All in all, it was pretty miserable -- through no fault of the city's! It was already a sad day since the cruise was over, but the heat really put it over the edge. After we dropped off our luggage at our hotel (right across from the Space Needle!), we walked to Kerry Park for the iconic views. It was clear, so we even got Mount Rainier in our photos! The temperature at this time was warm but not awful, but the walk was nearly all uphill. Commence complaining -- mostly from the kids, but in my head, too. Luckily the views really were all they were cracked up to be.

Then we made the long, steep, downhill walk to Lake Union and ate lunch by the water. Saw the views but couldn't appreciate them in such oppressive heat. We walked back to the Space Needle area, which was enormously crowded due to the Pride Parade. Sat under a tree for a bit before we gave up and waited in the hotel lobby (and air conditioning!) before we were able to check in at 3 p.m.

We didn't even venture outside again until nearly 6 p.m. The sun wasn't as high, but the heat hadn't dissipated. Pike Place Market was all but empty, so no fish throwing for us! And the restaurant that Paul had chosen was closed despite its online listing. Ended up at a random Turkish restaurant that wouldn't have been good if it weren't for the heat. I could barely eat.

The walk back to the hotel was better. Checked out the hotel's rooftop terrace but didn't stick around. Paul and Atticus stayed behind while Edith and I went to the cool Artists at Play playground that we visited the weekend prior (fun!) and for a bit earlier in the day (waaaaaaay too hot!). It was now much cooler and there were far fewer people, so she had the run of the place.

Edith and I visited the gift shop at the base of the Space Needle so she could say she's been there, if not to the top! Atticus got to go inside the next morning so he could say the same.