shadowmeboy

Look who joined me out on deck! As we got near Kingston, a Washington State Ferry heading to Edmonds from Kingston has to slow up and wait for us to pass. They timed it up perfectly, so they came around our aft and I got some beautiful pictures as you will see it this series! Meanwhile the other boat on the route, going from Edmonds to Kingston, was making the final turn to Kingston.

The US Coast Guard was doing some training flights over the Puget Sound as we were sailing out. While I was out taking hundreds of photos of the beautiful weather and scenery, Susan was attending the Spa raffle. Unfortunately, se did not win anything. Off they go!

I couldn't resist snapping this series of photos as this Washington State Ferry from Bainbridge Island makes it way to Seattle.

Wow! This screams Seattle and Pacific Northwest!

Sailaway Party was in full swing as I walked aft to the Great Outdoors Mt. Rainier was out today as well! A much clearer shot! Goodbye Seattle! It was a gorgeous day to sail out of Seattle!

A few minutes later it was time for Amtrak's Empire Builder to depart Seattle for Chicago. Gates are down One of Amtrak's Long Distance Siemens Charger units is leading the train today. Amtrak 301 As soon as Amtrak cleared, I packed up the camera gear and headed towards the Great Outdoors for Sailaway. We were just begining to push off the dock as I left the room. Here is the video from the trains!

While we were chilling on the Balcony watching them load the final cages of bags, our Latitude Strawberries arrived. Then our bags started showing up, so we started unpacking. Susan kind of lead the effort, as I hung out on the Balcony with my cameras hoping a train would roll by! We were departing on a Friday, so it was a workday in Seattle. At about 4:35, one of the Commuter rail trains left Downtown Seattle for Everett. I had a great view of the crossing from the Balcony! Sound Transit's North Line Sounder Train

While we were eating lunch, I realized we had an extra Specialty Dining Meal more than I had prebooked. So we figured out where we wanted to go and headed to 4 Seasons MDR where Restaurant Reservations is set up on Embarkation Day. The Sun Ship model is on the counter leading into 4 seasons from the Atrium. After getting our additional night situated, we headed to our stateroom. We were in a Balcony - Room 0208 - Deck 10 Forward Starboard - Under the Spa We had booked an Inside Stateroom originally through Casinos at Sea. We had opportunity to bid through Norwegian's Bid program. I bid $200/pp to go from an Inside to a Balcony which was accepted. If I had booked into a Balcony at booking, it would have been $1600-$1800 more than what I paid for the inside stateroom. So I consider our bid a great win! Letter in the room from Casinos at Sea Balcony Pano of Seattle

Embarkation Day Lunchtime! Seven Seas MDR I caught Susan in an awkward moment with this picture. Funny selfie time! pano Cobb Salad Wedge Salad So we got our appetizers at about 12:05; Our entrees did not come out until 12:45. People who ordered after us were getting entrees ahead of us. Finally, the entrees arrived. Fish & Chips Cheeseburger - I had requested bacon with it, but that didn't come. By this point I was glad our entrees finally showed up. Five Spice Mango Tapioca Pudding Creme Caramel The only good thing about the delay was that the staterooms were finally ready by the time we were done eating. Unfortunately, lunch took twice as long as it should have.

Ouch! Yeah, we are really lucky to live near the packing sheds and are able to get such a fabulous deal.

The climate is perfect for growing them, hot and dry. The irrigation keeps the trees watered. The perfect Cherry needs a bit of water at formation and dry weather to form that perfect fruit. We also enjoy the cherries. We buy a 20lb box each year from a packing shed nearby for only $20.

Atrium from deck 6 mid looking up towards 7 Atrium from deck 6 mid looking down towards 5 Atrium elevators from deck 7 Passing through the shops on deck 6 mid to aft starboard Lunchtime at Seven Seas - Deck 5 Aft Note: you can only get here from deck 6 or 7

Finally aboard our favorite Ship! We had Muster Station C, so we stopped and checked in. I love how almost all the muster stations are out on deck on the Sun! Freestyle Daily - Day 1 - Embarkation Day - Seattle, WA

Checking In! We headed down the hall to board the ship. Unfortunately, we weren't quite ready yet! All the people with boarding group numbers Here we go! Hello Gorgeous! This is our 3rd time sailing the Sun! I love how the Port of Seattle repurposed basically an airport skybridge for pier 66. Almost there!

Note: I was hopeful to get a lot done today, but I got mired in a project at work. So sorry I didn't get much progress. Time to drop the bags! I spy my favorite part of the Sun! Time to get our cruise on! The wandering line for document checks Lots of smiles! We cleared security and headed to check in! Check-in is upstairs in Seattle. Boarding Photo time!

Ah thanks! I would have declined it if I could have; unfortunately I didn’t have that option

Waiting for a few cars to head out before we can get parked in the lot. These are all in line ahead of us. Loading the van to head to the Port! Heading to the Port! Pulling up to Pier 66!

Fisherman's Terminal Turning off 15th Ave NW to head to Seattle CruisePark

We were literally on Interstate 5 for one exit, before hitting the streets of Seattle. Near Green Lake and Woodland Park Zoo Ballard - 15th Ave NW and NW Market St Heading South on 15th Ave NW towards Interbay Crossing Salmon Bay and the the Lake Washington Ship Canal - This is just to the east of the Ballard Locks Fisherman's Terminal across the water is where a bunch of different Deadliest Catch boats dock while in Seattle.

Heading out of Monroe towards Seattle We jumped on WA Highway 522. 522 goes from Monroe to the University District in Seattle. It was a beautiful day to sail out of Seattle! Junction of Interstate 405 and WA Highway 522 in Bothell Getting more urban! Not Keith Urban though! Reaching the end of WA Highway 522. 522 dumps you onto Interstate 5 Here is the video from highway 522

June 30th, 2023 Embarkation Day!! Happy 16th Wedding Anniversary Susan! We headed down to the lobby to get breakfast. Breakfast Enchiladas - they were really good After breakfast, it was time to pack up and head to Seattle!

After returning the heals, we headed over to Red Lobster for dinner. We were joking that we were having seafood from a chain before going to Alaska, oh well! Hi there Lobsters! We both got the endless shrimp. I got the Shrimp Scampi and Walt's Classic Shrimp. Susan got the shrimp skewers and coconut shrimp. We hit two different highways on the way back to the hotel. We made it back to the hotel! Time to head to bed and get ready for Cruise Day!

We had to run to a nearby city to return a pair of heals that just didn't quite fit Susan. They really wouldn't of fit my big foot (I wear a 15) 😉 Mt. Baker as seen across the Snohomish Valley from WA Highway 96. Another shot It was very photogenic! This is what the drive from Monroe to Lynnwood was like!

After the train rolled through, we went the final two blocks to the hotel. We were staying at the Best Western in Monroe! Our room for the night! This property was just a basic Best Western, but it was quite nice!

The train is running almost 50 mph through Monroe. Amtrak 139 leads the eastbound Empire Builder on this day. The Empire Builder travels between Chicago, IL and both Seattle, WA and Portland, OR. The train splits westbound at Spokane and the two halves complete their journey separately. This accordingly is the Seattle Section. It has a baggage car and a transitional dorm car (crew quarters for dining car staff, etc) The baggage car and transdorm are followed by two sleeper cars on this day and a dining car. Finally, there is a coach car on the rear. In Spokane, the train combines with the Portland section which has a Sightseer Lounge, 2 more coaches, and an additional sleeper. Here is the video I took of the train rolling through!