Sunny in Seattle (part 1)

I arrived in Seattle just before Memorial Day weekend. My friend Pat (Flynn's Mom) was there for a conference, so we decided to hang out for a week and check out the Seattle scene. For the record, I anticipated cool and grey weather and lots of rain. But no such thing, we've had sunny and warm for almost two straight weeks. The locals are surprised and pleased about that, and a little confused by it too - judging from all the people carrying umbrellas and raincoats.

Before Pat was free, I met up with my friends Liz and Mike (of Hilton Head fame) who just happened to be in Seattle for the long weekend to visit their son Sullivan who lives there. Liz had read my most recent post, so she knew that I might be in Seattle - what a happy coincidence to meet-up out here!!

I picked up Pat on Monday and we farted around downtown on day one. Then we went to the spa on day two - OMG! Google 'Korean body scrub' if you want a rejuvenating spa experience.

Each night we would go home to Edmonds and relax on the deck of this amazing AirBNB place that Pat found, with a deck overlooking all of Possession Sound. We relaxed by watching the sunset over 180 degrees of open water. Meanwhile we listened to the eagles and crows fight in the tree tops while harbor seals bounced in the waves in front of our place. It was perfect, punctuated only by the occasional passing freight train. Oh, and the neighbors asking to tour RosieVan.

Day three we went whale watching from Edmonds into Puget Sound. What a trip!

The boat was a hydrofoil-assisted catamaran, capable of 70 knots. We sped around the coast of Whidbey Island until people started looking a little green. We found a pod of Orca whales and spent a couple hours with them. Each of the pods has been photographed and the genealogy cataloged by marine biologists in the sound. So we knew we were hanging with the T-101 tribe (Grandma, Mom and 3 adult male sons in their late 30's). We also happened upon a Gray Whale named Little Patch (45 years old!). He's one of a group of approx 30 Gray Whales who stop in Puget Sound to feed on the way north and south each year. Pictures are from Pat, she’s a camera artist!

Day four dawned sunny and bright, so we went hunting for Rhodedendron. It's that time of year in Seattle and we found some fine specimens. Oh, and some top-notch sushi.

Day five, we were up and headed for the airport long before dawn as Pat headed eastward. I'm staying here in Seattle area for a couple more weeks to visit with my friend Patricia (not Pat), take in the vibe and enjoy the super weather.

More later, too much to see and do here while the sun shines!