Adventures in search of pirates

Every year the Seafair Pirates land at Alki Beach as part of the summer fun in Seattle. Mom decided we should all go try to see them. The good news was, we got everyone in the car, including Dad. The bad news was that the most direct way to the beach was under construction that day. By the time we finally made it to the beach area, parking was nonexistent. However, since the people we saw on the beach as we drove past still seemed to be watching for something, Dad drove around the block a bit to give us another chance of seeing the pirate landing. We didn't see the actual landing . . . but we did see the pirates and their boat, driving past us down the road (gotta love amphibious vehicles):

Since the younger Muffins had been catching a nap on our adventure to find the beach, it seemed a shame to take them right back home again. So, we went downtown to the waterfront so that Dad and the smallest Muffins could have a look at the aquarium. Here's Curtis checking out a tide pool:

Lydia especially liked the tanks at her level:

This harbor seal saw it all as just a typical day:

The otters were generally laid back either relaxing or napping: 

The sand pipers were up, though:

And we found these active critters peering through portholes:

Lydia enjoyed sampling the wares at the gift shop:

All in all, a pretty fun family outing. (And there was even a pirate standing outside the Pirates' Plunder shop was we went past.)