The Tirrell Family

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Sunday, February 2, 2014

One of our goals for this season has been to take advantage of winter. With both of us coming from warmer climates, we find it easy to complain about the cold and always be looking forward to the joys of summer. We've done pretty well going on a sleigh ride and snowshoeing. We added to our list with a trip to the Ice Castle in Miday, UT. We went on a Monday night for Family Home Evening. It is a popular attraction causing rather long lines for entrance. In talking about the construction the "artist" describes his process of "farming icicles." It starts with a frame of metal poles and chain link fence which is sprayed with water. The slow accumulation eventually creates the massive structures of ice. There are lots of places to explore including a maze and slot canyon. The castle also features a water fall and at night the ice is illuminated by colored lights frozen inside. We left right when the lights were turning on. It was a magical place and a wonder to behold.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Space Needle & Seattle Library

No visit to Washington is complete without a trip to Seattle. There are so many cool things to do there. Our last day seemed to be a good time to go since we we would already be in the area to catch our flight. We decided it was time to have the Space Needle experience. Of course Dad, Mom, Reesa and Madi had been there lots and even been to the top. I have even seen it with my own eyes on multiple occasions. But we weren't just going to look at it. Being able to ride the elevator to the top is fairly common knowledge. Something not so well known is Sky City, the restaurant at the top of the structure. Not only are you eating in the sky, but the restaurant rotates so you get a 360° view of georgous Washington. Our lucky weather streak continued that day. The sky was clear enough for a perfect view of our good friend Mt. Rainier.

The food was amazing! Our reservation was for brunch. The flat fee included an appetizer, entree and dessert (FYI: it's a pretty penny just to ride to the top of the Space Needle so a little more spent gives you an amazing meal and a long, comfortable view). We had fun sampling each other's food which there was plenty to go around.

After brunch we took the flight of stairs to the top deck. It was crowded and cold. We missed our cozy spot downstairs. It was still a thrill and the ambiance reminded me of the Empire State Building.

We had some time to spare before our flight so we went to the Seattle Public Library. Having had a conference in Seattle a few years ago, I was familiar with just how cool it was. We wished we lived in Seattle just to visit this building.