Our first stop was Pike Place Market. Arrive early to avoid crowds, the guidebook suggested, but at 10.30am it seemed that we were early enough to beat the market traders too. Undeterred we filled up on coffee and made our way to the Seattle Centre, site of the 1962 World's Fair and the famous needle (like at the beginning of Frasier).
Inside a new Frank Gehry building are the twin museums of the Experience Music Project and the Science Fiction Hall of Fame. Only a classic computer games exhibition could have made it more perfect!
Once again, there was no one there. I got a weak smile from the receptionist when I asked if we got a discout for being their only visitors that day, and museum stewards outnumbered us about 8-to-1, but with no pesky children to push us off the play things we had a great time. On the music side there's a ton of stuff from Seattle's rich music heritage...and you get to drum, sing and play guitars. It's like Rock Band but with real instruments!
In the sci-fi bit there's a Blade Runner Spinner, a first edition of Slaughterhouse 5, phasers from every Star Trek tv series and film, and the actual colonial marine armour that Michael Biehn wore in his seminal role as Cpl Hicks in James Cameron's 1986 masterpiece Aliens. It was a very emotional experience for me.
Now we're back in our (deserted) hotel. The room feels warmer, but that might be because we've had borderline hypothermia all day. Tomorrow brings a visit to America's only indoor national park. I can understand why they put a roof on.
Pike Place Market - buzzing.
If this is Seattle's best coffee I'd hate to try their worst. It's back to Starbucks tomorrow.
The space needle! So big I had to fit it in diagonally.
Contemplating postmodern architectural trends.
Where's Wally?
David, Frank Gehry.
Frank Gehry, space needle.
This is more like it (and a bit warmer). On lead guitar: Hannah.
On keyboards: David.
On drums: Hannah.
On more drums: David.
Inside the sci-fi exhibition. Yes, that really is the organic spaceship from Aaronofsky's The Fountain!
Me and my favourite robot - Robbie from Forbidden Planet. Unfortunately I'm obscuring Tweekie from Buck Rogers.
