Seattle

Now that I have the endoscopy (upper GI reveal) procedure behind me (it was done on Thursday and three biopsies were taken; results later, but so far, it didn't look bad to the specialists), and, I feel a bit more rested up after our holiday, I think I can write about said holiday.

We left Honolulu about 9pm and landed in Seattle the next day just before 6am.  We rented a car (it was a lovely Ford Fusion) and stayed at the Navy Lodge on the Bangor Naval Sub Base.  We would have stayed with family, but their homes weren't as accommodating for the five of us, and, we weren't going to be there long (just six days, actually).  Here's some of what we did in pictures!  I hope you can click to enlarge, if you're so inclined (I know I do).

At the Point-No-Point light house.  (L-R: Bill, Christian, Mary, Hannah, Rachel, Connor).

Connor was looking out for a LIGHTHOUSE (as in Cape Hatteras), not a lighthouse as in a house with essentially a flashlight on top.  Across the straight here is Whidbey Island.  I got quite a chuckle from one of its bays called Useless.  I kid not!

Because it's pretty.

The only kind of surfing I reckon I'll ever do.

This is at Westlake Center.  There is a huge chess set there and two gents were having at it.  The blue trees were quite a distraction, I think.  How stupid, really.

There were these strange bronze-like statues everywhere.  Okay and a silver one (I sat in that one's lap and had a picture taken w/ my phone -shared on FB and perhaps later here, when I share the Underground tour pictures off my phone; Rachel didn't snap any on the tour).  Anyway, this one looks like he's taking a bit of a piss.  Who knows.  Strange.

Mary kissing her daughter, Hannah.  Rachel inserts herself.  It was so nice to see the cousins having a good time together.

My feet. It's just a good composition.  Art really is a thing of beauty depending upon the person looking at it, I reckon. 

Me acting the ham.  This is at Seattle Center.  We'd just toured the Music Experience and were getting ready to ride the Monorail back to Westlake Mall.

After schlepping through Pike Place Market, we saw the Great Wheel and decided to ride it.  Why not?  It had only opened a few days before and this was our chance.  The queue wasn't too long either.

Nice fountain. 

I was truly a bit frightened, but once we set off at a gentle pace I was alright.  It's the stop and go loading bit that gets my stomach in knots.

View.

The view was incredible.

Alaskan Way

This is likely one of my favourite pictures that Teenie took from the Great Wheel.  Bainbridge Island (home) is somewhere in the distance along with Bremerton, Poulsbo, and etc..

Pike Place Market and Alaskan Way.

Rachel playing with Hannah's kitty, Ninja.

Fireworks in Poulsbo at my sister's house.  I'll never forget her obnoxiously drunk neighbour.  He wasn't the kindest fellow.

A nice capture of Seattle and Mount Rainier from Bainbridge Island.

Mount Rainier.  I love this place.  This, to me, is paradise. 

The kids with their grands. 

My brother makes funny faces etc. when having his picture taken, hence the series here. 

This one cracks me up.

Love the car behind.

Me and my baby brother, Bill.

Uncle Bill gets Connor behind the wheel. 

Saying "see you" to my sister.  It's so hard to do that. 

The cousins.  I wish we could have stayed on longer. 

I have some good memories from this visit.  Mum did pretty good being on somewhat good behaviour.  She can get cranky and it sets my teeth on edge.  There was one blip brought on by her insecurities, but then, we all kind of prepared for this to happen.  Our time was short and she expected we should spend every moment at her house.  I reckon one day I may feel exactly the same when my kids come calling with the grands and I'm left feeling cheated (even though I couldn't possibly be - I understand).

I will try and get the pictures off my phone and do another, separate, post on the Seattle Underground Tour (and more on the Music Experience museum place - thing) in a few days.  I'll also write separately about our time in Iowa and Minnesota.  They all deserve their own post (especially considering how long it took to upload just a few of these pictures taken in Seattle).  Uff da!