Seattle is a city I return to again and again, and not just because one of my sisters lives there. Despite its pricey real estate, its near takeover by Silicon Valley types, and its undeniable big-city problems, this boom town in the Pacific Northwest somehow manages to retain a jewel-in-the-rough aura, and its connection to nature and the sea remains unbroken. Even on a quick trip like this one, Seattle’s personality comes through, loud and clear.