For the life of me I have wondered why anyone would want to live on the West Coast of the United States. It has the reputation of being full of smog, lots of traffic, very expensive and those “valley girls”. Well, what a shock I recently had when I found a new paradise called Seattle, Washington. Now this was not my first time up there, but for some reason, I must have been too young to know what paradise was all about.

Seattle is a beautiful, well organized city overlooking the magnificence of the Pacific Ocean. It has a San Francisco flair, but does not have an attitude. The people were so friendly.

Seattle has great history and wonderful shopping areas. My favorite spot was the Pike Place Market. It was founded on August 17, 1907 and has grown over the years to 190 commercial shops and 50 restaurants, all visited by over 9 million tourists each year. You could shop all day and come away with an arm load of values. The most impressive part of the market is the flower area. Flowers of every color, size, and scent were lined down row after row. You can take a ten dollar bill and have a bunch big enough to fill two, if not three vases. That same bunch would cost $60 or more ordered or from a florist.

The food on the West Coast is so healthy. You know we Southern types just eat whatever we can fry and whatever we can dip. Out there it is simply broiled, baked, seasoned, green and FISH. Everything in seafood is always available fresh at the Pike Place Market. It is a fun shopping experience as they yell out the price and names of all the fish. You buy because of the rush!

Getting around the Seattle is the easier I have every found. No need to take a taxi! Take the bus, trolley, monorail or the “get on and off” Gray Line Tour. They are the best ways to see the City

One of the great highlights and probably on of the best meals in town comes when you make reservations and take the dinner cruise on the Royal Argosy. The view from Elliott Bay is your scenic backdrop, the sunset is spectacular and the meal will be prepared to order, on board, while you cruise. This is not one of those frozen dinners. The Royal Argosy’s three full kitchens are staffed by a team of Chefs led by Executive Chef Ron Arbour. There will be harbor lights and shorelines, beautiful waterfront homes, passing ferries, and more. There will be sea lions, bald eagles and other bird and marine life. If the weather is clean you will see Mount Rainier dominating the southern horizon. Breathtaking! Visit their website at www.royalargosy.com

For more than 50 years Argosy Cruises has been operating on Seattle’s Central Waterfront. It is family owned and locally operated for private, public and special event cruises year round. This is a must when visiting Seattle!

The flight to Seattle is usually direct from any major City. You can visit the Woodland Park Zoo, the Seattle Aquarium, the Famous Space Needle, the Seattle Art Museum, the Pacific Science Center and the Washington Park Arboretum. Hotels are many and the prices are very fair. Seattle really wants the tourist in town.
Check out www.seattleinfo.com