We Have Arrived...

(Rebecca aka Auntbot knit us these FABULOUS alaska sock pins to wear)

Monica and I arrived in Seattle at double o' dark thirty, to an angry car rental woman, and a ton of traffic. Ahhhhh, city life! Our first stop before the sun rose, was a local greasy spoon recommended by the toll booth guy who, judging by his bulging "AB", knew what he was talking about. After re-fueling our engines that were on less than fumes, Monica, Gwen and I headed toward Pike's Place Market. Who's Gwen you might be asking?? Gwendolyn is a sexy GPS friend who is guiding us on our journey.

After circling the downtown area once or twice, (this one was for you April!)

we pulled into a random parking garage and set out on foot, thinking we'd make it farther. On our way, we stopped to experience one of Seattle's prime example of fine art and culture.

Taking the extreme "scenic route" we finally found Pike Place Market. It was just like the pictures!! I was destined to catch my flying fish, because I am such a believer in the fish philosophy, it was gonna happen! We met a lad by the name of Ryan, who was actually from Kenai, and made all my dreams come true (the fish flying ones, that is). After a couple of practice tosses, I was ready for fish flinging.

After a successful catch, we meandered through the rest of the market, buying fresh pints of Raspberries and fried to order donuts. Then we took the not-so-uphill, straight forward route to the car. From there, we headed to the mother land.... IKEA!

We breezed through the store is a meager 2 hours, loaded down with our 2nd mortgage worth of purchases, we through it all in the car, and told Gwen to get us the hell outta dodge, and off to Portland. Stopping again to refuel at Dairy Queen, we were off again for the final sprint to Portland, where we came across an Electric Chicken.

We even found the Burger King's real Castle!

With Seattle behind us, our first major stop in Portland was to visit Liz's stomping ground at KnitPurl for S.E.X. (Stash Enhancement Expedition). And boy, was it good! The wall of Koigu alone was enough to make a girl weak in the knees,

and the electric ball winder was nothing short of spectacular.

Seeing other Sock Summit attendees, our excitement began to boil even more than it already had. We were off to find Queen Bee Creations, or last stop before we call it a day, check into the hotel, then head to the Convention Center to register.

Queen Bee Creations, was a perfect little hole-in-the-wall shop

with super nice chicas and a ton of beautiful things that were difficult to resist. Monica managed to hold herself back until visiting their booth at the market place. I, however, was not that strong, and gave fully into temptation.

At the hotel, we hauled our 42 bags, suitcases, IKEA totes, and purses up to our home for the next 5 days. (Though the convention center is probably going to be more home, while the hotel nearly a shower and bed.) Stopping only to drop off stuff, take a pee break, and grab our purses we were off again to the Convention Center where we were to find MECCA.

The heart of every sock knitter. It was the most beautiful thing I have ever laid my eyes upon. Just think, this huge space will be filled tomorrow with thousands of knitters feeling the same thing as me.

Big day tomorrow, time to sleep...