Singing in Seattle Read Free Page B

asked.
    â€œThe Space Needle was built as an attraction for the 1962 World’s Fair,” Malika said. “From the Observation Deck, there is a view of downtown Seattle, plus some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the Pacific Northwest.”
    â€œI think there have been some changes since the last time we visited here,” Carrie said. “Isn’t there a restaurant at the top?”
    Malika nodded. “It rotates, so diners can get a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree view while they’re eating.”
    â€œI think that would make me dizzy,” Aly said.
    â€œIt rotates very slowly,” Malika explained.
    The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. The elevator walls were clear.
    â€œKeep your eyes open,” Malika told them. “Some people say the elevator ride is the best part of the visit.”
    The doors closed, and the elevator motor hummed as the elevator began its rise hundreds of feet in the air. Soon the girls could see the morning sun shimmering on beautiful blue water.
    â€œThat’s Puget Sound, an arm of the Pacific Ocean,” Malika said.
    In the next moments, a majestic snow-covered mountain peak came into view.
    â€œMount Rainier,” Aly said. “I remember now. I always thought it looked like a snow cone.”
    The elevator came to a stop. “Welcome to the O Deck,” Malika told them. “You are now five hundred and twenty feet above Seattle.”
    They stepped out onto the open-air deck. Tourists stood by the guardrails, gazing out at the view. Some had binoculars; others looked through telescopes located on the deck.
    It was early summer, but the morning air was chilly. Aly tightly wrapped the denim jacket she was wearing around her, and AJ zipped up her hoodie.
    They followed Malika to the rail. The tall buildings and skyscrapers of downtown Seattle sprawled out below them, shadowed by Mount Rainier in the distance. Fluffy white clouds filled the lower sky, but they could still make out the snowy mountaintop.
    â€œThis is the south view from the tower,” Malika explained. “From here you can see most of Seattle’s business district, including the city’s famous monorail.”
    They followed Malika around the circular deck. The view to the west showed more sparkling blue water, and the tall Olympic Mountains. To the north, ships sailed across the calm waters of the bay.
    The east view was another sprawl of buildings, houses, and busy streets.
    â€œI’m not sure, but I think I can see our old neighborhood from here,” Carrie said. “Girls, I’ve got to take your picture!”
    Aly and AJ posed in front of the rail, smiling for the camera. Carrie snapped the picture. When their mom put down the camera, the girls could see that her blue eyes were misty.
    â€œTo think, you were practically babies when we lived here,” she said. “And now, you’re all grown up, touring around the country!”
    Jim cast a nervous glance at his watch. “Speaking of the tour, I’ve got a meeting with the management at KeyArena about your show,” he said.
    â€œAnd I’ve got a conference call soon,” Carrie said. “I’m afraid we can’t stay much longer.”
    â€œWhat’s on our schedule?” AJ asked.
    Jim flipped open his BlackBerry and skimmed through it. “You guys are free today.”
    â€œThen why don’t we catch up to you later?” Aly asked. “I’d like to see more of Seattle while we’re here.”
    â€œSounds like a plan to me,” Jim replied.
    â€œJust don’t tire yourselves out,” Carrie warned. “You’ve got a busy week ahead of you.”
    â€œWe’ll be fine, Mom,” AJ promised.
    They all thanked Malika and headed back to the bottom of the Space Needle. Aly and AJ waved good-bye to Jim and their mom. Then they hailed a cab.
    â€œWhere to?” the cab driver asked.
    â€œIs there a