We went. We saw. We ate.

While Hurricane Danielle was making waves here on the East Coast, Kristen and I were munching our way through Seattle. We headed out there to mark our fifth anniversary, albeit three months early. (She's a teacher, so we try not to travel during the school year.)

Why Seattle, you ask? Because it's new. I've never traveled on the West Coast, and we didn't feel like hitting California. Several people questioned our decision, but we heard enough good things to know we'd made a good choice. 

Now that we're back, I have this to say: Visit Seattle. 

The city is clean. The air is refreshing. The people are friendly. And it does not rain every day

We had maybe twelve hours of clouds during our five days out there. Of course, it's amazing we saw the sun at all. You see, Kristen and I travel with one thing foremost on our minds: Food. In all, we hit about 15 different eateries or places at which we could sample food. (Note: If you follow my Twitter feed or have friended me on Facebook, you would have been able to track our gastronomical adventures in real time.) I returned with a thin layer of pre-winter insulation that I now have to burn off, even though we walked more than five miles a day. 

But even if you're not a foodie, Seattle absolutely is worth the trip. It has a world-class music scene -- which we didn't get a chance to sample -- and breathtaking natural features. It's walkable, comfortable and a freaking blast.

Check out some of my favorite photos from the trip. For the ones that are food related, I put the eatery's name in the caption.

Space needle on the left. On the right, the Experience Music Project/Science Fiction Museum -- building designed by mad genius Frank Gehry.

Me and Kristen atop the space needle.

During the Underground Tour. This is where the first floors of many downtown-Seattle buildings really is. A few of these skylights remain in the sidewalk. From below, they're clear; from above, manganese has turned them purple.

Pike Place Market.

Breakfast the first morning at Top Pot Doughnuts. Look at the size of that mama-jama!

Top Pot Doughnut.

When we got in our room at Hotel Vintage Park, the awesome concierge, Louis, had left this note congratulating me and Kristen on our fifth anniversary -- along with a bottle of wine, chocolates and fruit. That dude rules.

This is Kristen, about to dig in to the "world's best mac and cheese" at Beecher's Handmade Cheese in Pike Place Market. She's a big cheese fan.

This is Kristen after the first bite of said mac and cheese. Clearly, she's enthused.

The "life-changing toast" at Blackbird Bakery on Bainbridge Island. It's worth the ferry ride.

I love this shot. Clean and simple. Clear lines leading the eye to the center. I might make a print of it.