Kim--Yes, REI carries some very nice bikes. REI is nationwide, but go to their website to find where one is near you (www.rei.com). When you are back in OR there is one in Tualatin, one in NW Portland, and then in October one is opening in Hillsboro...so you could shop without tax too. If you buy anything, be sure to join as it is a coop and you receive a dividend.

The new Seattle library is amazing!!!

REI in Seattle is overwhelming !!!!
I heard (can't confirm this) that they have some type of trail to try out mt. bikes???
I do know ;if you buy hiking boots and for some reason (don't fit, hurt your feet etc.)you can trade them even if you have worn them out side
for months....
35 min, (one-way) ferry to Bainbridge Island --great view of city on way
back.
The new library,5th & Madison, is awesome- all metal and glass--
Speaking of glass-Oneof my favorite places to sit in the rain is in Pioneer
Square area--It is under the reconstructed Pergola (glass and iron tunnel like structure) has benches as it also a bus stop area..
It was hit by a truck 1-2 yrs. ago and destroyed.. The city had to search for a artisan that could build a new one with only pictures to guide his work.
He did a great job..
as you can tell I love Seattle too.
At last count, I've been there 12 times over 20 yrs. and am going back in Oct.
You will have a great time...

Thanks for the tips, MMS! I'm trying to decide between a Del Sol beach cruised (pink with a white seat) or a Diamond Back mountain bike like my old one, but in a pale lilac color. Hmmm!!

Another thing I like to do when it rains is find a nice spa! Where are the good ones in Seattle? ***kim***

We recently got back from Ireland where it rained just about every day, for at least part of the day. We did exactly what we had planned - we just got wet doing it! No big deal, just go & have a good time.

For the spa, head to Gene Juarez in Bellevue, just east of Seattle. Morgan gives a wonderful massage. They also have all of the 'usual' spa services, spa pedicures, facials, manicures, etc. There is a Gene Juarez in Seattle, too, but I have not been to that one to be able to give a comment on it.

The Nordstrom spa is very nice and is the perfect location to go shop and do lunch as well. I used to go when family were in town visiting and we would make a day of it. Always enjoyed the spa!

Good grief. So there may be a little rain in...Seattle....which is known for it's rain...hmmmm.... better than a hurricaine in Florida, so have some perspective!

Seattle is full of hundreds of unique little shops, great restaurants, a world famous public market, interesting museums, and a bustling, interesting downtown core. Go to a movie. Take a bus tour. Take a boat tour. Hop on a Washington State ferry. Sit in a coffee house with the paper. Go to Alki, and ENJOY the rain. You won't melt, I promise!

LOL, or as my CA neighbor used to tell me, "kim, you're growing webs between your fingers with all those PNW trips you take!"

Is there a spa at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel? Just curious for a future trip next summer. Teatro Zinzanni is definitely on the list, also. ***kim***

You know, I just don't get it, I have never been to Seattle, would love to go, but I don't understand the rain thing. Annually we (north Ga., western NC) get 15 -20 inches MORE of rain here, yet everyone talks about the rain in Seattle. Whats up with that? Must be a slow drizzle, huh?

I just checked out of curiosity, Smokyboy. Yep, somewhere around 185 days with precipitation each year, but only 35-40 inches.

Yes, plus it seems people are always looking for the half-empty spin on places. I don't get it.

It is absolutely true that we don't get as much rain as many other places, but as a previous poster said, it's usually a constant drizzle, with low, grey skies for months at a time. Miserable, just awful, avoid it if you possibly can...heh heh heh...is it working? Are ya gonna stay away? No, I bet not, because despite a little damp, Seattle is a beautiful place with an interesting city, and stunning nature nearby. Besides, the rain just makes the coffee seem better ;-)

I always try not to KILL Time because I know there will come a day that I will reeeally wish I had some Time!

We will be in Portland Oregon at the end of Sept.
I booked a couple of nights entertainment, we plan to go to books stores, see some good movies, shop, eat, go on a JetBoat ride, see some wineries and walk in the rain.
I even got my hair cut so it will look good wet :)
So with some planning and figuring it will rain (if it does not, what a treat!) You too can have a good time..
Pretend you are in England, stop several times a day and have tea or drinks..I plan to spend at least one afternoon, somewhere, having martinis ((D))

Of course I still can have a fairly good time in seattle even if it does rain. The problem is it is trouble for me 'cause I am a serious photographer. You know, taking pics in the rain....
:(

If it is of any inspiration to you, the weather in Seattle @ 1:30pm on Tuesday is just gorgeous!

That means the climate could change over and back a few times between now and your arrival, but I wouldn't write off the weekend to "all rain" just yet.

Pike Place Market has enough under cover interests to keep you busy for a while. Who says that a ferry boat ride across the water, even in the rain and gloom, couldn't offer SOME interesting pictures, and more importantly give inspiration for making another such trip IF the sun breaks out the next day?

You'll be fine, and the Seattle rain isn't as forceful as some of the storms in the south, east, and midwest. We walk around in the rain and function normally while doing so, it isn't like those times on eastern roads where you simply must pull over for 10 minutes until it passes.

Forecast for BumberWeekend is morning clouds, afternoon sun, temps in the high 60s - low 70s F. So there.

Just wanted to add my 2 cents since
I also live in Seattle and just watched the latest forecast. It's supposed to be beautiful! I mean, the weathermen are really clueless here...they change the forecast constantly, but right now they're not even entertaining the possibility of rain. The weather's perfect now and it should be over the weekend too.
Good luck,
jacqui

The good news about Seattle, unlike many other cities, is life goes on inspite of rain. Pike Market is covered, the Art Museum is generally filled with good stuff, and a ferry ride in the rain can be absolutely delightful. I'd even suggest a ride across the Bay to Salty's on the little boat. Watch the rain come down on those big glass windows. There is always our personal favorite which is to catch movies one or two in a row which we never have time for at home.
Head to Pioneer Square and catch up on what you should be reading at Elliot Bay Books. This alone could take you hours. If Salumi is open(I can't remember if it is on weekends) duck in there for some great sausages(lunch). Head to Matt's at the Market(upstairs at Pike Market near Cafe Shea) for lunch or dinner and wish you lived in Seattle so you could eat there all the time. Eat Salmon anywhere, Oysters at Elliot's and savor every bite. Stop off at Pure Fish in the Market and taste the hot fire smoked salmon(I dare you not to take some home). If you want to go off the beaten track try Mama Malina's in the U District for a neighborhood Italian place with Barry Manilow type piano playing. We hit Seattle yearly and religiously head here with our Seattle based family.

It's raining today, but supposed to be nice this weekend. I'm planning on getting out and about! And practicing with my new camera, whatever the weather. Besides, jz166, no one would believe you went to Seattle if you DON'T have some photos of rain... :-)

Very good suggestion for Salty's, Pam. Are the boats enclosed that go over there? We were taken to dinner there by a comp limo that Salty's provides. Our concierge at the Edgewater arranged that for us.

Those coconut prawns were a big hit with our group! ***kim*** :)