Day 16: Seattle, WA

The crew was given a special treat this morning: breakfast in the restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. As we indulged in fresh fruit, mini muffins, ham, scrambled eggs, hash browns, and fresh squeezed juices it seemed the world turned around us. The restaurant slowly spins 360 degrees every 47 minutes giving up the patrons inside a wonderful aerial view of Seattle and the surrounding Cascade and Olympic Mountains. On a clear day the snow capped Mount Rainier can be seen in the distance. After breakfast the tour members were allowed to walk up one story to the observation deck where they could walk outside for an even better Birdseye view of the city from 520 feet. The students enjoyed playing with the interactive maps, adding their names to the guestbook, and seeing what people from their town had checked in at the needle previously.

(Breakfast at the Space Needle)

(They were excited for breakfast in such a beautiful setting)

(500 feet above the ground)

(Overlooking the city and the sound)

(They liked being inside where it was warm)

(Signing the guestbook and seeing who they know who has visited the Needle)

A few hours of the day were then spent on a bus tour of the city with a private guide to narrate. We drove through many neighborhoods of Seattle including Belltown, Center City, and Fremont. In Fremont we stopped at Theo's chocolate factory for some free samples. The group got off the bus at the Locks to take a guided tour. Students got to see boats enter the locks from Union Lake and be lowered to sea-level to go out into the sound. We also got to witness some salmon climbing back up the salmon ladder to move from the sound back into the lake. Every year salmon migrate from the ocean back to the place they were born to lay eggs and then die. The babies then swim back out to sea to live their life. Many salmon in Seattle are chipped to help record their movements and control the population. Since the dam was built to control the levels in Lake Union the city created the Salmon ladder to help the salmon with migration.

(At the Lake Union dam and locks)

(Smile even though it's cold!)

(They find dogs to pet everywhere they go!)

(Learning about the salmon ladder)

(While waiting for the locks to fill and move the boats.)

The group tour ended at Pike's Place Market where the group got to see the famous fish throwing, the gum wall, and the oldest Starbucks. We then had free time in small  groups to explore more of the market and downtown Seattle. 

(At the Pike's Place market)

(Enjoying the market)

(In front of the oldest Starbucks)

(Spending free time enjoying the view of the Space Needle..and napping a bit.)

(Giant sculptures make fun places to hang out)

(Climbing on the sculptures)

Dinner tonight was as a group as Ivar's Salmon House which sits right on the shore of Lake Union. The group had a choice of chicken or salmon (most went for the salmon). Stuffed we went outside after dinner to enjoy the sunset over the lake with the city and Space Needle close in the background. 

 
 

 

Day 15: Polson, MT to Seattle, WA

Day 15 started with a spectacular sunrise view of Flathead Lake as we ate breakfast at the KwaTaqNuk in Polson, MT. The crew then loaded the bus made our way towards Seattle, WA. 

Along the way, we had a scenic drive through parts of Idaho and Washington and a quick lunch in Ellensburg. It was a long day of travel, with approximately 486 miles now under our belt. A shout out to Clarence for being the best bus driver we could ask for! The crew passed the time by sleeping, playing card games and watching Grown Ups and Grown Ups 2. The group is becoming champs at long bus rides. A three hour trip at home will now be a breeze!

Upon our arrival in Seattle, we visited the Experience Music Project Museum (EMP) which is right beside the Space Needle. This is a museum built to honor the evolution of music culture and art. The building is shaped much like a guitar and houses exhibits for Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, sci-fy, fantasy, and horror genres. 

(EMP Museum)

One of the most interesting exhibits at the EMP was the World of WearableArt (WOW). Today was its American debut, so we were very fortunate with our timing. WOW is New Zealand's largest art show that fuses art and fashion. The exhibit showcased 32 awe-inspiring, award-winning garments.

The EMP also has a studio where "bands" can record their own jam session. The GWT had at least five bands to perform including The Rolling GWT, Point Killmington and ECCT. Who knew we had so many talented musicians! 

(The Rolling GWT)

(Point Killmington)

(ECCT)

After checking into our accommodation for the night, Hotel Deca, everyone dispersed for dinner and some free time. The hot dinner spots were EJ Burgers, MOD Pizza, Chipotle, and Small Batch Ice Cream. Yum! 

(Hotel Deca view)

It has been a quick change from mountain life to city life but I know the group is excited to be in such a vibrant place! Stay tuned for a full day of fun activities tomorrow in the Emerald City!

Day 14: Polson, MT

As the sun was rising over the mountains the crew was making its way to the bus. We were able to have one last home cooked meal at the ranch and watch the horses being corralled and brought back in for the day before heading west. 

The short drive brought us to Polson, MT where a stop at Walmart and quick check-in at the hotel had us back on the bus heading to the river. The Flathead River originates in the Canadian Rockies and flows along the western side of Glacier National Park. It runs into the Kerr Dam in Polson to form the beautiful Flathead Lake. We split into groups of 8-12 and loaded our rafts. After some general instruction on how to raft and what to do if you fall out of the raft the groups pushed off. Some of the rapids were gentle and bounced the boats as we glided  over them. Some parts of the river were calm enough the kids could jump out and swim within close distance to their boats. Other parts consisted of rough Rapids. The Buffalo is the biggest rapid on the river and it is said there is a one in six chance for a boat to flip going over it. As our guides urged us forward each boat in turn buckled down, paddled hard, and raced into the roaring rapid. Looking back at the pictures many of the boats had the front dip down deep into the water so the front riders were almost completely invisible behind the wave, then the boat shot up over the rapid bending at almost a 90 degree angle with the front riders in the air. The riders in the back paddled hard and the boats soared into the air with everyone hanging on for dear life. Overall it was successful with only one boat flipping completely and another losing three passengers. After the panic ended and everyone was accounted for smiles could be found everywhere. Then the playing started. We had students jumping in the water everywhere. They struggled against the easy but quick current to stay close to their boats but enjoyed jumping, flipping, and sliding off the rafts into the water. It was another successful trip down the river with the Flathead Raft Co. 

Dinner was held on the pristine patio of the KwaTaqNuk hotel and casino overlooking the Flathead Lake and surrounding mountains. The group enjoyed Indian Tacos which is a lot like bean and beef chili layered over a fried bun topped with the normal taco fixings. Many in the group went back for seconds of the unique dish.

After dinner a little free time was alotted for the group to hang out at the hotel. Some stayed at the dinner tables to order dessert. Others gallivanted across the docks to take pictures. The sun set as the Grand Western Tour headed to their rooms for the night. In our last night in Montana all will go to bed to dream about horses, beautiful mountains, and raging Rapids.