Taking a tour

My SIL and two little nieces just left and since I'm sleep deprived from giving them my comfy bed, I've decided to go with the easy...er, fun-filled exciting theme of showcasing Seattle. Some of you Grey's Anatomy fans might like some of it. Unfortunately, the day that I took these pics was overcast, but I included a shot at the end to prove that it's not always this way. Also, in terms of preconceived notions, Jess said she was surprised at how hilly Seattle is, which is more associated with San Francisco.

This is probably one of the most famous views of the Space Needle and downtown Seattle and is featured in many movies, shows, etc. I believe Meredith filmed a scene here with someone (I forgot) for one of the first season eps. of Grey's. It's close to the top of Queen Anne Hill (453 feet with an 18% incline). Also, I read somewhere that Meredith's townhouse is supposedly located in Queen Anne.

Last weekend, two of my friends and I walked to this from my place and then appropriately treated ourselves to pizza at the top:)

This is a shot from the top of the Space Needle facing West/Puget Sound. The yellow indicates Bainbridge Island, which is where McDreamy lives in his trailer. The green arrow is pointing to one of the ferries that runs from Bainbridge to Seattle, which are also featured in Grey's (though we've noticed it seems to be the same shot over and over). You can ride it as a passenger or drive your car into the bowel and out the front when it docks. If memory serves (and it may well not), this is also where Ashley Judd went searching for her husband in Double Jeopardy and jumped off the ferry to get away from Tommy Lee Jones.

This is facing Northeast from the top of the Needle and you're looking at Lake Union. It reminds me of a uterus with fallopian tubes (though you can't see the tubes from this angle). The yellow arrow is where I live (no, I don't have a view) and the green arrow is where the houseboat is that was featured in Sleepless in Seattle. My area is called Eastlake, whereas the other is called...surprise, surprise...Westlake. The green arrow is covering Gas Works Park, from which fireworks are launched on the 4th of July. Also, this park was in the movie, Singles, when Kyra Sedgwick and Campbell Scott discuss their pregnancy while eating hotdogs.
This shot serves two purposes. One is you can see how the exterior observation deck of the Needle keeps jumpers from accomplishing their mission.

Two, the building you see below belongs to the ABC-affiliate news whose helipad serves as the double for Seattle Grace. Also, whenever the characters are up on the roof and you see Puget Sound in the background, this is where they are.




I took this shot in the glass elevator going down the Space Needle. The red building you see within the yellow circle is where the Real World: Seattle was filmed. It now houses a restaurant and some offices.









This would be Snoqualmie Falls, which is about 30 miles east of Seattle. According to a friend of mine, Mike K., this is actually taller than Niagara Falls. When we went after tubing back in January, it had recently rained/snowed and the falls were much larger. This is also close to the town that served as some of the exterior to the show Twin Peaks, back in the early 90s, called New Bend.





A view of the Space Needle across the street from my building and now you know I'm not lying when I said it's not always rainy here. I took this about two weeks ago. The hill you see on the right is the start of Queen Anne that was mentioned above.

I must share this random tidbit in that it was so windy today that Kona's ears flapped back (the dachsund). And then at one point when a gust swirled about, he literally tipped over and I had to pick him up. Poor thing, but I have admit it was still cute to watch.


Now, just to really make sure you have a smile on your face. Check this little clip out of my two nieces "rockin' the house" at the end credits of Madagascar.