Back from Seattle

Amazingly, our vacation times aligned this year. This called for a small trip. We decided to check out Seattle. No particular reason, just seemed it would be different and hopefully cooler than it's been here.

An enjoyable trip. Lots of walking - I mean LOTS of walking. We stayed downtown and went everywhere by foot or bus. Nice to have a usable public transportation system. Went to the Experience Music Exhibit as well as the Sci Fi Museum, the Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Library (I know, sounds a little strange, but the architecture was interesting and it was kitty corner to our hotel). Best surprise was Pioneer Square and the Underground Tour. Seattle has an amazingly entertaining and bizarre history.

We ate lots. Salmon seemed to be incorporated into almost every meal. Some tasty spots. Seattle's a pricey city for food, much more so than LA - could be because we stuck downtown and/or we just didn't know where to look for the hidden treasures.

We just stayed four days. Short really, but I think we covered a lot in that time. I wish I had brought the passports - would have been nice to go up to BC and Victoria to visit the gardens. Maybe another trip.

Fun to be away, but also nice to be home. As much as I enjoyed myself, I realize during time off I prefer to be out in a natural environment - like Yosemite or on the coast. Neat to spend time in another big city, but there's something about letting your eyes rest on infinity. Next trip, open spaces, flora and fauna.

Oh and the cooler weather? Well, it was a nice wish, but Seattle experienced record heat while we were there - clear, sunny and in the mid nineties.

Some Seattle Photos:

The Holidays, etc.

I'm just not very good at posting here regularly. It's been a good holiday season here for the most part. Nice to have a little time off of work and just hang out. Saw King Kong a few weeks ago and was blown away. An amazing film which left me emotionally drained – so funny, so disgusting and so very sad. I haven't been effected by a film like this in ages. Saw it at the Vista too, which is always a plus!

My birthday came and went. A mellow day, but very enjoyable. Went to the Huntington Library and wandered the gardens taking pictures (see previous post below) and just enjoying being outdoors. The new (since my last visit) rain forest/cloud forest area is really interesting. What a variety of flora and fauna. Went out to dinner with the folks later that evening. Was good to see them and spend time together. Went to a great little Peruvian place in Glendale. El Husbanito surprised me with a ukulele on the big day. It's so much fun to play - maybe a little too much as it's distracting me from focusing on guitar. It's really perfect for playing in the car – the ideal passenger instrument.

First half of the holidays have come and gone as well. Went up to the mountains and hiked about – took the uke with and entertained myself during the drive to Buckhorn. Hoping I didn't drive the others crazy with my playing, but when asked all said they thought it was fun – guess I'll have to take them at their word. Had dinner at the house with a few friends and family. The boy made salmon (delicious with a honey glaze) and I made everything else – an awesome butternut squash soup, green beans and couscous. For dessert, I experimented with a tofu chocolate cake (not bad – more like a pie/mousse). Yum. It's nice to actually have some time to cook.

Just killing time now until the New Year.
Crazy how fast time is moving.