The Space Needle greets 45-millionth visitor with one big surprise

It didn't pay to be first, but rather the 45-millionth.

This is so typically Seattle: the prize for something that happens at the symbol of our fair city is a free trip to a another one.

Why not a free week's vacation for four in a downtown hotel? Why not a free two weeks in the International District? How about a month and a half in Ballard?

At least the contest dreamer-uppers had the good sense to not send the winner to another city in the U.S. That would have been completely counter to the public realtions goal.

Besides, I hear Detroit is lovely at this time of year...