Olympic Escapes: Pre-Vancouver

So, before I get into my post today, I just want to say I give all of you props that hold full time jobs, have kids, or otherwise have real, busy lives and still blog daily.  I strive to be as awesome as you.  *hat tip*

Alrighty!  So.  My Olympic adventure began several months prior.  And also with a bit of misinformation.  So, as you all may know by now, they were last month.  Well, before I saw any advertisements, I had text and verbal confirmation that we were going in January.  I was all in a fluster because I had't gotten my passport yet, and I had gotten time off from work, yadda yadda yadda....  Three days before I thought we were leaving, I saw a commercial.  February?  Well....don't I feel like an over-eager idiot.

Fast forward a month.  NOW I am for real ready, and getting excited all over again.  This was such a much-needed break for me.  We wound up staying in Seattle for a couple days prior to heading up to Vancouver.  We happened to be there for Ash Wednesday, which was perfect, cause there's amazing seafood everywhere.  For those not familiar, Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent, where you fast and give up some luxury in order to re-examine your faith.  During this religious season, meat (excluding seafood) is not allowed on Ash Wednesday or throughout the Fridays until Lent is over.  So you can see where being in Seattle was beneficial lol.  We went to church at a beautiful cathedral in downtown, and ate at Ivar's along the pier.  I had some great halibut tacos (though, to be quite honest, I think mine are better.  Sorry Ivar's!), and we wandered around Pike's place for a while before heading back to the hotel.  We also did a visit to the Space Needle and IKEA (which really deserves it's own post, but for a very accurate representation of what IKEA is like, go read this post from Greg @ Telling Dad.  He's hit the nail on the head.).  I did purchase a little moose for my friend Allison at IKEA because I thought she'd appreciate it, and let me tell you, I think I win for smallest, cheapest purchase there ever.

We really just kind of puttered around the city, biding our time until we headed up to Vancouver.  Seattle, I love you, but little did I know what was waiting for me!

Some photos from our Seattle time:

Me getting in touch with my inner (and outer) child at IKEA

My little ducky (who always travels with me) at the top of the Space Needle

....the Space Needle

Post Alley at night.  This is where the infamous chewing gum wall is located.  :)

Me adding to the wall.  :)  If you guys have never heard of this, you should google it.  It's pretty cool.  Here's an article to start you out.

A Ninja Turtle made from chewing gum!  Props to you, person that made this!  This was awesome.