My time in Seattle was a really great time minus the Immersion/Trench foot problem.  Upon arrival, I was met by good friends Ruby (best friend from Portland)and Nancy (longtime friend through her sisters, Linda Jo and Bette, and as one of my campers in my swimming class at Camp LaJita).  Having someone meet you upon arrival is really awesome and those two being there plus coming home to America was really incredible.  One never knows how much it means until it happens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neil’s daughter came through with some sausage wraps for us when we returned from customs and Seattle provided us some goodies also in the form of gourmet popcorn, clam chowder, drinks and more!  Then to show the boat to Rub y and Nancy.

Then off to find some more food and to get my feet back into circulation I thought.  Wrong, the pain of the last two days was still in full force when I loaded into Nancy’s car to go to her house.  How lucky I was as she became a full fledged nurse the next morning when she had to take me to Immediate care clinic, then Pharmacy, then home to soak feet, warm compresses and elevate.  Really great care as laundry was done, even foul weather stuff was getting cleaned and hung out to dry.

I did take Amtrak down to Portland to celebrate Ruby’s 60th birthday.  That was a fun ride for me.

Back in Seattle I got to go to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation ?Museum? where they provided information about their funding along with interactive places that allowed us to make comments.  Lots of great quotes everywhere.

Then a great meal at Ray’s with a great view.

One of the best events there was being able to visit with several ex students.  Fun time Daryl Fiske, David Gibson from DS, Fisher from AYC Sailing camp, and Elaine and Kevin Bailey from Judson.  Wish I had pictures of all and if you have been watching Facebook you have seen most.

Missed Justin Freeman as he took ill, but will see him another time.  Loved seeing everyone!  Really proud of each of them.

Then Renee and Lynna came up from Austin to see me or to check out the boats.  Their time to sail though happened with no wind.  We did get to go to Chihuly Glass Museum together and it was amazing works of art.

Even saw a man playing an ancient instrument while we were there.

Then a quick trip to  Snoqualmie Falls where we ran into the wife of an LMax round the worlder, Nigel who took our picture!

Nancy played ocarina for a benefit for the lady who makes Ocarinas in the theatre in Pike market.

Amazing musician Nancy!  Really enjoyed hearing her play.  I have most of her recordings of Tingstadt and Rumbel so I know what a fine musician she is.  Plus she also does recordings for individual records and she showed me how she did that at home.  she plays her part and then sends it in and it is added into the mix.  How cool in that?

I even got to go to the GIANT REI store!

Is this my next adventure?

All in all Seattle was great.  My niece July came up from LA and it was great catching up on the family with her and also seeing her pregnant with the first child to come in July.  Looking forward to going out to visit and see the young one (I call him Jules though they don’t have a name for him yet) when I get home.

Enjoyed visiting with ExPow descendant Nancy Kragh and her daughter Kristen and her family.  Kristen and family are currently living on a sailboat and getting ready to take off on a year or more sailing adventure.

What I learned from this stop is that “friends are friends forever” and “Home sweet Home” and family are important in one’s life.  Another reason I am glad that I am on this adventure….discovering things about myself.