TGIF!!

This week has actually flown by, thank goodness!  But I will never be ungrateful for Friday.  Before I go overwhelming you with more pictures from Seattle, make sure *after you are done with all of THESE photos* to go stop by A Beautiful Day where I am guest posting for my monthly installment of In Focus Friday!

I failed to mention yesterday that last weekend's trip to Seattle also fulfilled one of my 2013 Bucket List items!!

2013 PHOTOGRAPHY BUCKET LIST

1. Sunset at Seaside
2. Twin babies
3. Las Vegas Strip
4. A beautiful waterfall (other than Multnomah Falls)
5. 1st birthday session
6. Downtown Seattle/Puget Sound

7. Timberline Lodge
8. City lights at night
9. A cactus
10. An engagement session
11. An extravagant themed photo
12. My new nephew
13. Jumping shot
14. A pier
15. Street photography
16. A series of old cars
17. A series of vintage signs
18. Golden Gate Bridge
19. Generations
20. Music

Technically, I took a picture of the pier as well, but that isn't quite what I had in mind when I wrote my bucket list so that one is going to remain un-checked for now.

Our next stop on my "tour of memories" wasn't actually a memory.  During the two years I lived in Seattle I never actually visited the Chittenden Locks.  The locks sit between the neighborhoods of Ballard to the north and Magnolia to the south and connect Lake Washington, Lake Union and Salmon Bay to Puget Sound.  The dam helps keep the water level of the lakes between 20 and 22 feet above sea level, while also keeping the sea water from infiltrating the freshwater bay and lakes.

There are actually two locks - a smaller one that is often the primary lock during the summer, when water levels are lower, as it takes less to fill, and a larger one that can hold even large fishing boats and cargo ships.  I didn't really realize what a big tourist attraction the locks were, but there were crowds of people watching the ships pass through while we were there.

Who here likes cupcakes?  I for one cannot turn one down.  If you are ever in Seattle, you have to find a Cupcake Royale.  I believe there are 4 locations now.  The Ballard store was one of my favorite places to go on "roommate dates" - their frosting cannot be beat.

Tristan had a Tiramisu cupcake, which he claimed was "not bad" - mine was lavender.  I really liked it, but when he tried it he gagged and said it tasted like he had just inhaled perfume....silly boy.  Apparently we got things a little backwards, and followed up our dessert with lunch at Red Mill Burgers - another Seattle staple!

Red Mill started out in 1937 and operated 30 years before closing their doors.  The brand was rekindled in 1994 and serves good food at really good prices - perfect for a college student's budget.

Next stop on the list was the Ballard Troll, on the way to Gasworks Park.  The first person to tell me what movie these locations are from gets a free "Sponsor Spot" for 30 days!!

Gasworks Park is probably one of my favorite places in Seattle - I wish I had taken more advantage of it when I lived there.  The park sits on the north end of Lake Union, opposite of downtown.  You can lounge in the sun, skate, watch the planes land on the lake, and play lawn games.

Before I share my favorite song of the week, I think that we should get these couple of "selfies" out of the way...

Don't mind the blur from the crack in my phone-camera lens....that's what happens when you drop your phone and don't have a cover!!

You know how I like to drag out these "trip posts" . . . so stay tuned next week for more!

Did I already mention that it is Friday?!  I think I did....but oh well.  That means it's time to 

#backthatazzup

with Whitney.