More fun exploring Seattle today! The highlight? As you can see from the wild eyes - Starbucks Reserve Roastery! Yeeeeesssssss!

We started our day low day - breakfast as the airbnb, a run (I'm up to 1.5 miles on these INTENSE hills) and a virtual meeting from Columbus.

Then Grace and I were turned loose! We hopped the bus for Capitol Hill to first visit the roastery. I expected a warehouse with machines and the small of burned coffee abounding. That was not the case! Beautiful building with roasters and conveyer belts in the most beautiful copper surround the interior and a tasting bar sits in the center! Heaven! We found a nice pair of seats at the bar and poured over the menu. Grace selected the ice cream with two shots of reserve expresso! I went for a Clover brew with the reserve blend currently being roasted at this facility. I enjoyed talking with the barista and learning about the Starbucks roasting plants. Amazing that there are only five in this country and one in Europe. Think of all the bags of Starbucks you see in the groceries and the many, many Starbucks stores you see - how can they all be served by only six roasteries world wide! Delicious, smooth and amazing. After that we were certainly well caffeinated ready for anything! :)

We explored Capitol Hill for the afternoon and found some really fun little shops. The Cap Hill vibe is "funky and fresh" (Claire's words, not mine LOL) and it was fun to just hang out there. We suddenly both had a hankering for a burger and thanks to Yelp found 8 oz Burgers. Yum! We split the House Burger and the most salty, tender fries ever. The bonus? Oregon made organic mustard and catsup!

A walk to Pikes market area included some stops to shop in major retail stores you would find at a mall. Looking, no buying, was the theme! It was a fun walk, but the crowds were getting pretty thick given that it was 5 PM on Friday and also the Friday before Pride Weekend.

We hopped the 28 and headed back to our little nook in Fremont! Our day was quiet from that point forward. I read on our patio with a glass of wine, Claire joined us after work, we ordered amazing pizza from Paglaiccis and relaxed on our comfy sectional! Rejuvenating for Saturday!

More to come.....