Seattle Day 1

Well actually we aren't really in Seattle and don't have plans to go to Seattle proper. We are staying in a suburb near the airport and drove into to Tacoma this morning to visit the zoo. 

It was a long 6 hour flight from Boston. We arrived in Seattle at 2AM Eastern Time. Ally was pretty wiped. But she walked with her heel down the whole way!

Ally found her second wind by the time we got to our room. Which she loves!

This morning we were at the zoo at 10AM. I forgot how chilly it can be in the Pacific Northwest. We had layers which was good, but Ally was chilly most of the morning.

First up was the aquarium exhibit.

That bright orange thing is a fish, it's a Chameleon Fish, here it looks like coral!

I loved these little fish. We did the touch tank for a while and touched anenomes, starfish, see cucumbers and sea urchins. Lots of fun.

Then it was on to the elephants! Ally loves the elephants.

We took a break and sat in the warm sun and watched them for a while.

On the way to the Penguins we saw lots of things, but the porcupine was the coolest.

Penguins! They are nesting now so pretty quiet, these are Magellenic Penguins.

One of my favorite things is to see walrus. But the walrus enclosure was very smelly, as evidenced by this picture of Ally with the two walruses.

Then the seals.

And underwater view of the, swimming is always cool. 

Puffins and the otters (not pictured).

We took another break at the polar bears. The polar bears were pretty active.

On our way out we stopped at the meerkat exhibit. Ally with her love of Alvin and the Chipmunks loved the cute meerkats. 

She said she was never leaving them. 

Becky took the picture above from inside look back out at Ally who was stationed at a window. Eventually we coaxed her away and promised her a stuffed animal meerkat. She of course also bought a tiny stuffed penguin with her own money as well! When we exited the gift shop, Mt Rainer was viable thru the hazy clouds. Look close below to the left of Ally's head and you can see it. 

Ally did great. She was tired, but managed well. She carried her putty in her hand for distraction for a while, and we took breaks when she wanted. Just like the PPRC says. It worked, she was never in unbearable pain, and when it was time to leave she walked to the car and didn't even come close to tears once all day. Then in the car on the way back to our hotel she conked out. 

Now we are all resting with an iPad. Becky watching a Hunger Games movie, Ally a new mermaid movie and I'm blogging. We are planning on going to the pool later, and maybe I'll go shopping. And having dinner in our room tonight and early to bed. 

Tomorrow is Charlie's wedding!