Freak Ice Storm and Driving Home

 

The week we need to go home Seattle had a freak ice storm that just shut everything down. People were out of power for almost a week and we were worried we wouldn't make it the 26 hour drive (with good weather) back to Iowa in time for Mike's next rotation. We had planned on leaving on Thursday but the ice was so bad that it was impossible to even move our car in the drive way. The electricity had gone out in my parents neighborhood and it was kind of eerie how dark it was outside. 

We ended up leaving Friday morning and it took us 3 long days to get home. I didn't drive and Mike did amazing. I had white knuckles the whole way. There was one near accident and we were truly blessed that nothing happened. We encountered everything on the way home; snow, ice, high winds, and crazy rain. So many people were in the ditch, and semis were tipped over with their load completely spilled out.  I had a constant prayer running through my head and I know that Heavenly Father kept us safe. I definitely don't want to travel in the winter again if we can avoid it.

Snowman

Proof that it does snow in Seattle. After church was cancelled following sacrament meeting, we took the opportunity to make our first and last snowman. It was so warm that Mike and I didn't wear jackets. I could get used to that kind of winter for sure. After we made the snowman we had a little snowball fight and waited for my parents to come home and then ambushed them. It was fun and it was so nice to be able to enjoy the snow without freezing to death.

Chambers Bay

Talk about gorgeous! We went to Chambers Bay because one of the Docs Mike was rotating with said it was a beautiful walk and he was so right! This picturesque place had a rocky beach and a beautiful path that took you through a "really nice" golf course, according to Mike. It was beautiful I have to admit and I bet when it's all greened up it would be breathtaking. I loved all the bleached driftwood and of course the sunset! I couldn't stop taking pictures. :)

Of course Mike was most excited about the golf course we walked through. Apparently, the US Open will be played at this exact golf course in 2015. This picture below catches his excitement about it. No he's not posed. :) It was a long walk and very hilly as it took us through a huge hill. Mike ended up getting the car because it was getting late and very cold. It was good night.

International Disctrict

Because Mike went to Japan, we have embraced Japanese food and dabble in other Asian cuisines. So, when we found out that we were going to Seattle for three months we were so excited about all the diverse Asian food that is found there. So, naturally we had to visit the International district that was famous for noodles, sushi, and other interesting things.

First we visited the food Market that they had. It was huge and they had many things there, not just Asian food. We loved the lanterns and the fish the best. We ended up buying a few things that we knew we could eat and enjoy while in Washington the next month. As a treat we bought some strawberry mochi ice cream and it was pretty yummy.

After visiting the market we wanted to wander around and find this Chinese noodle place that got rave reviews. Walking up to it we noticed a funny smell and concluded it was just a sewer smell that is often found while visiting big cities. Unfortunately, after getting our noodles we quickly found out it was the noodles that had such a funny stench and most unpleasant flavor. I concluded that if fish had feet, smelly feet, that is what those noodles tasted like.

Finally after walking around some more we found out that sushi places we wanted to go to were closed and we ended up going to a Chinese restaurant. Most of the food was pretty good and we also ordered a noodle dish. Surprisingly, the noodles smelled and tasted just like the noodles we had just tried. Blech!

Despite the disappointing food we had a fun time walking around and spending time together as a family. There were many things to appreciate, even though we didn't like the food.