from Seattle to Whidbey

View from my room at the Coupeville Inn

Motorcycles on the crowded ferry!

Waiting for the ferry ~ more than an hour.

Lunch spot in Seattle

Fascinating historical tour

Underground Seattle

Our tour guide, Richard, in Pioneer Square

Wonderful old building

Rich's apartment in Seattle

Meet Desi, Rich's cat

Part of a huge dinner at Christopher's, across
the street from our Inn in Coupeville

I'm drying laundry out on my balcony this morning, my, those jeans
take a long time to dry. Waiting for the knock on the door telling me
that this is unacceptable. In the meantime, I post.

Another busy day starting with the gathering of luggage and people
and heading to Pioneer Square for our fascinating historical tour.
It was so much more than just the underground because Seattle
was really a lumber town, providing wood for San Francisco (we
kept burning down). No gold in Seattle. Then a group lunch and
back into the vans for the long drive to Mukilteo and an even
longer wait for the huge ferry to Whidbey. Busy tourist season
with tons of cars, vans, motorcycles and people w/o cars. A v.
short 20 min. ferry ride.

Whidbey is the largest of the San Juan Islands and is a world
unto itself, it appears. We are in Coupeville which is about in
the middle of the island. I was out walking this morning and it
is quite wonderful, reminding me a bit of Mendocino, Carmel
and all the resort-type little West Coast towns that we all love
so much. It even has a bus system and some place called
Useless Bay that I am anxious to see and judge for myself.

Today is a noon picnic and then a FREE night. Five people
joined our party of 18 total last night; there will probably be
another one or two today. I'm slowly getting the names
down and I do really like the group, but you all know that
most writers are loners, so I have perfected the escape
excuses and routes.

cats and baseball first

Sweet Seattle city cat.

Ugly fish made out of baseball covers at
Anthony's Pier 66 where I had lunch (outside).

Oh, the sky...

Our friend the Rev. Rich - his 60th b.day tomorrow.
Today I'll count how many of us are here to celebrate.

Colorful street cars in the Lake Union area.

Street art ~ Lake Union again...

Part of the sculpture garden at the Seattle Art Museum.

Seattle was beautiful yesterday, today there is some fog ~ imagine
that. I walked and walked and got to know Seattle and myself again.
(It's been awhile for both.) It's clean, hilly, and overbuilt here. Many
condos, apartments and flats to rent or buy. Interesting the difference
between SF and this city, because they are so much alike in so many
ways. My Best Western is about a block away from the Space Needle,
so I can't get lost.

I walked down to Elliott Bay and had a lovely outdoor solo lunch
and read my LindaKindle. Almost finished with Bad Things Happen
and it's a good one. Walked some more, had coffee and enjoyed
myself thoroughly. My knees are only barking lightly this morning.

Skipped Rich's church service (more about this later) and met
the group at Mistral Kitchen on Westlake Avenue in the Lake
Union section of town. About 6 easy blocks from our motel
and again, lots to see and think about. The food was delicious
and the service impeccable. Nice time. Rich has an abundance
of relatives gathered here, all enthusiastic Italians. Fun stuff.

Today is the Seattle Underground Tour and then we all head to
Whidbey in the San Juan Island chain. I promised Rich I'd
attend his outdoor church service on Sunday ~ are photos
allowed?

OK, time to call Husbando and pack up.

rebus interruptus

We have to put aside this DVD because I'm hopping on a
plane and van today ~ boat tomorrow. Rebus is pretty good,
takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland with the usual prickly,
determined cop who has a whole slew of his own problems.
Starring John Hannah. From BBC and the Flix.

OK, I'm packed and ready to go. First the oj and blueberries
with yogurt. I'll report from Seattle tomorrow.

monday weather report

Is this the worst summer ever? Do I say this every summer?
Fog and more fog. Vichyssoise sky with cold breezes. Windshield
wipers on the way to/fro work. Argh.

Yesterday I was talking with a customer from Seattle.
Me: "What's the weather like up there?"
He: "Just like here."

I leave for Seattle on Wednesday.

no room for fashion

I'm starting to pre-pack for my trip to Seattle next week. I'll
be taking MsBook, camera, Kindle® (!) and all the cords and
accessories that go with them. I know you've all gone through
this when you travel, but I spend a lot more time and space
with this STUFF than I do with the outdated travel questions
such as: how many shoes? which tank tops? one or two pair
of jeans? sweater? coat? umbrella? hat?

how about this library?

As you well remember, I'm going to Seattle and Whidbey Island
next month. I've heard from various friends about this spectacular
library and, as luck would have it, it's very close to my downtown
hotel. My friend Rich has also organized an underground tour
for us in Seattle, before we boat over to Whidbey. I'm starting to
get excited and even bought a new swimsuit yesterday and we
know that takes courage.