Washington's a Wrap

It was tough to officially end our vacation at 2 a.m. when we got home, but we managed to sneak in a little more fun on our last day.

We checked out of our hotel in Bellingham after breakfast yesterday.

That created a bit of a moral dilemma. I mean the street value of one roll of this in Seattle could've extended our vacay another day! No worries. We left it there.

(But a side note: Hubby went to Walmart in Rapids tonight to get some groceries and TP, and there was only one package left. Everyone everywhere is stocking up... I guess in case they get stuck at home for 2 weeks and go through 2 rolls a day??)

After checkout and some sightseeing, we made our way down to Seattle for a lunch date. Yup, we got some bonus fun with two of Carter's classmates, who we know quite well – and are friends with their parents.

Nathaniel is in the Navy and stationed out in Seattle and his wife Olivia was just visiting for the weekend – she arrived on Thursday as well (early flight) but was taking the same flight back to Minneapolis with us late Monday afternoon! How cool to see them, catch up, and take pictures to share with Carter and their parents (along with virtual hugs home).

The four of us had a nice lunch at Alstadt, a German bar in downtown Seattle. "Vee have vays of fighting zee virus!"

When we got to the airport later, it really was the first time we saw a lot of people wearing masks. The thing is, you don't know if they're wearing them because they have the coronavirus and don't want to spread it, or it they're trying to protect themselves and cross their fingers they don't get it. And there were all styles of masks. Some were almost industrial-type and others silky and fashionable.

Needless to say, I wasn't completely surprised to get a call from my boss that I should work from home for a few days upon my return. That was fine with me. Getting home at 2 a.m., I was taking the morning off anyway. I had my laptop so I could work from home the rest of the day. While we were careful and washed our hands often, etc., I would not want to be the one starting the virus at a place with more than 2,500 employees on site. Nope.

Better safe than sorry. Sure hope our vacation stays wrapped up on a positive note. It was such a treat to see the kids and such a beautiful area of the country. Try to get out there sometime if you can.

Well, maybe wait a few months.

Soggy in Seattle

Move over, Sleepless in Seattle.  There's now a sequel: Soggy in Seattle,  starring Mr. and Mrs. Austin.

We waited until the rain turned into a light drizzle before venturing out about town this morning. We knew right away from the steady precip that we were gonna skip the Space Needle. Not worth the money to not see anything!

We walked down to the Olympic Sculpture Park and saw some neat things there.

And some unusual things like Japanese cherry blossoms.

And eyes on a naked man in a fountain.  You know,  just artsy stuff.

We could see the harbor and all that activity,  so I liked that.

Introduced hubby to Pike Public Market. Too rainy to lollygag outside. But we got to browse all the indoor vendors...

Including the fish-throwing guys. That's always entertaining. 

Walked by Amazon headquarters. See how they keep their employees in quarantine like the Bubble Boy on Seinfeld. These honestly are Amazon corporate offices in The Spheres. But all employees have been ordered to work at home through end of month. Honestly, after 5 miles of walking around, we only saw 3 people wearing "anti-germ" masks.

On way out of town, we found our way up to Kerry Park, where you can see the whole city below. Again, not the best day for scenery either.

Still pretty sights, though!

Thankfully there's a Starbucks around every other corner for warmth!

On way up to Bellingham, we detoured over to Mukilteo so I could see the lighthouse there.

It was quaint! (And closed to visitors.)

Saw plenty of gulls making themselves at home along the beach!

Got to Bellingham in late afternoon, checked into our hotel, then met Emily and Casey downtown after work.

Soooo great to see them for the first time since July!! Had a great dinner at Bantam 64, and tomorrow will be doing some sightseeing, time to see our grandpup Rey, and some 29th birthday celebration fun.

Crossing fingers for some sun, and no soggy bottom fun!

I Ain't Scared

After hearing the coronavirus-confirmed deaths in Washington state, I changed the image on my Countdown to Bellingham Weekend app today.

Hey, it's a joke. It's an old picture from one of the times I had bronchitis. But it does fit in with the frenzied, if not fanatical, reaction out in the Seattle area right now. Seriously, I have firsthand accounts!

And I'm not afraid.

Really, we're not. I probably had more concerns traveling as an American overseas in recent years than I do that hubby or I will contract this virus. And if we do, we're certainly of the mindset (like everyone else freaking out) to pay close attention to any symptoms.

So we're treating our trip just like our daily lives during flu season. We'll wash our hands – maybe extra often – and certainly do our best not to snuggle up to strangers who may be carrying something contagious. Seems logical to me.

I made sure I called my mom tonight, though, so she'd know this is not a big deal. Well, it is to the people sick or dying, but not to the other 99% of the population. I also promised her that if we felt sick in the coming weeks, we wouldn't be stubborn like Dad always was, and we'd actually get in to see a doctor.

So all bases are covered. Just need to pack (make sure to include hand sanitizer) so we can head to the wild west in 2 days, 20 hours, 14 minutes, and counting...

Ring that Bell-ingham

Those of us without a team playing yesterday made plans to see some of our favorite like-minded fans.

Yup. In 44 days, hubby and I will fly out to Seattle to visit son #1 and his girlfriend – and our grandpup, of course.

They moved to Bellingham last summer, which is about 90 minutes north of Seattle.  So we'll get to see some of Seattle and the gorgeous Washington coast. Pretty excited!

Christmas just wasn't the same without Casey and Emily here. In fact, we're timing our visit so we can celebrate Casey's birthday with him! Yay.

So let the countdown begin! As my girlfriend Jean recently pointed out to me, don't wait for the right or best time. Book the trip!

Great advice. Thanks!

How the Grinches Stole Playoffs

Turned on Monday Night Football and I thought our brand new TV was out of whack already. Nope. Thank goodness. Just a team of Grinches (aka Seahawks) trying to steal our Christmas. Or at least our playoff hopes.

Seriously, as much as I love lime green – and I have a kayak to prove it – it was too much. So hard to watch.

Well. That and the fact that the Vikings stunk.

Still, it was fun to get some back-and-forth razzing in with Seahawk fans. Some are family so I have to love them as they are.

In the end. Did the Grinches' hearts grow three sizes? Nope. Not so generous. In fact, they cheated. And we had a few injuries at their hands.

At least our TV isn't broken.

The Least of These

My Advent column for this week's church bulletin...

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’"

–Matthew 25:44-45

On my recent trip to Seattle, I was astounded by the number of homeless people “living” there. I had not considered the Pacific Northwest a mild climate location, but I guess it is. Enough so that people seeking a warm place to lay their head have been arriving by the busload over the past several years. Apparently, Seattle had a policy of sorts to be a “welcoming city” for homeless.

Welcoming, yes. But able to actually give them a home, not so much. They just can’t keep up.

What do we know about homeless people? Do we assume they made bad choices, screwed up their lives somehow, and that’s why they’re in the predicament they are today? Do we give them the benefit of the doubt?

There are plenty of homeless in Wisconsin Rapids. Most of us just don’t see them. Or choose not to see them. Out there in Seattle, though, they often told their stories on signs: Lost jobs. Veterans with medical issues. Single mothers. Was I in a position to help any of them?

Sadly, my first thoughts were concerns for my safety. Even though it was just a short half-mile walk from the Pike’s Place harbor area to my hotel, homeless or no homeless, it’s a big city for a small-town girl on her own. I had to be smart and nonjudgmental at the same time.

On my last evening there, I was taking pictures of the sunset on Puget Sound. I knew I had to hoof it back to the hotel to be beat darkness. But something in that sunset spoke to me. God was showing himself in the beautiful array of pinks and oranges. Was I overlooking other ways he was showing up – through people, maybe?

On my brisk walk back, I knew I had to slow down for one person. At least one. I stopped in front of an older gentleman in a wheelchair whose crude sign indicated he’d had a stroke. I’d seen him every day but walked right on by. That time, though, I placed some money in his hand and simply said, “May God bless you, sir.”  Then went to my hotel room and prayed for him.

As we focus during Advent on the coming birth of Christ, let’s not overlook the fact that he’s already here. We just need to open our eyes – and our hearts – and look.

Fly, Robyn, Fly

Today was departure day. Had to put on my big girl pants because one can only rely on themselves when they travel alone.

My challenge was to wheel my suitcase two blocks from the hotel, go underground and ride the light rail train to the airport.

Me to the hotel doorman: "So they'll just have a place right there to buy a ticket?"

I'm sure he was thinking: "Yes, small town girl. A machine does it!"

I managed to buy a ticket and get on the right train thing instead of 6 buses that also board there. Then it was off to the airport.

So long, Seattle. I do hope to be back!

Flight uneventful despite sitting next to a couple with a 2-month-old! My sister Rayna and brother-in-law Paul picked me up. We went to eat and I'm nesting at their place tonight since Rayna and I will head north in the morning for our 20th annual sisters weekend.

One of the many reasons it's good to be back in America's Dairyland!

Evening Stroll

After spending the day in class, I finally got out to enjoy my last mild evening of 2018. It was an amazing seminar, by the way.

But I am glad I got to capture some sun-sinking shots...

The Seahawks stadium with Mount Rainier in the distance.

They had lots of personalized pendants hanging from the fence by the harbor area. I found my age, ha.

I really could have wandered for hours, but I'm smart enough to realize that wouldn't be smart by myself.

With temps about 70, it was an amazing evening stroll. Fly out tomorrow morning. Hope I'll be back. I've got more strolling to do.

MARVEL-ous Monday

Oh you know, it was a typical Monday. Hanging out with the occasional super hero.

Actually worked this morning since my hosts had to work and the kids were at school.  Kristin got out of work at lunchtime so I caught a little sun in Mr. Deck Chair Northwest.

I realize that I am cheating on the other Mr. Deck Chair and he's covered with snow. Don't judge me. I'll make it up to him. Just couldn't resist 60 and sunny on my last day with some free time!

Kristin and I headed into the city for the afternoon. Visited the Museum of Pop Culture,  which featured a Marvel comics exhibit and exhibits of Seattle-based musicians Hendrix, Nirvana, and Pearl Jam. Plus all kinds of interesting artifacts owned by Microsoft founder and Seattle Seahawks owner Paul Allen, who coincidentally died today.

Fun and strange stuff, I tell ya!

We walked around downtown after that and grabbed lunch at the Amazon Go store. It is the one thing of all that Seattle offers that Carter told me to see.

You scan yourself on the way in, pick your stuff (pretty much food stuff), and walk out. It just knows what you put in your bag. Crazy and I was charged correctly for my lunch of Red Bull and a coconut cupcake. Ha.

After that, we meandered our way back to the car and she dropped me off at my hotel, just few blocks up from Pike Place market and harbor view park.

I took a walk and found an ice cream place. They call this Washington Hazelnut Brittle with Salted Ganache.  I call it dinner.

The sinking sun was also a treat.  Just couldn't stay out too long. The homeless come out in droves in the evening.  It is a sad reality here.

Was blessed to see so much of the positive aspects of the area. And super blessed to spend quality time with a dear friend of 25 years!

May just have to come back to this Marvel-ous neck of the woods.

No Snow-homish

Dateline SNOHOMISH, Wash. -- Actually is pronounced like snow-ho-mish, but unlike Wisconsin and Minnesota, nothing but sun and 60s out here in the greater Seattle area!

Arrived yesterday (Saturday) about 1 p.m. and my friend Kristin picked me up. We spent the afternoon in downtown Seattle, mainly walking around the Pike Place Market area. And some other touristy things because, well, I'm a tourist!

I took lots of pictures, naturally, but they're on camera.  Here's some from my phone though... (and disregard typos as I'm doing this all on my phone!)

Naturally, we had to get Starbucks.  Stopped at the very first one ever. Long line there so took pictures and got our coffee at the one down the block. Because well, there is one almost on every block in Seattle!

Something I did not know about Seattle is they have a great gym wall. Actually walls om both sides of this alley. I call it the ABC (already been Chewed) wall.

I think it would make a nice senior portrait background!

We did plan to go up in the space needle but it was a 3-hour wait, so we moved on.

Trolled the streets and found this guy! Weird but so cool. Lots of folks taking pictures. Does help to have a "local" as your tour guide.

This was a cool view! Have the Space Needle on the left, Mount Rainier in center, and Seattle's harbor area.

Met up with Kristin's husband for dinner (fresh seafood) then to their place. Was tired with the 2-hour time difference.  In fact I woke up at 5:30 a.m. local time because it would have been 7:30 a.m. at home!

Unlike the countless reports of snow at home, we had a gorgeous day out here. Not a cloud in the sky. And just shy of 70 degrees. Perfect to see some scenery!

Went for a nice 6-hour Sunday drive. One of first stops was Deception Pass.

This bridge is crazy high and I had a deceptively high amount of courage to cross it. Yes, a walking lane. A yes, I had a bit of a panic attack, but made it over. And back! Don't look down. Just breathe.

My heart was racing for an hour after that, I think. Good thing they sell ice cream in Washington so I could recover!

One of the neatest stops was Fort Casey State Park. Right on Puget Sound. Could see San Juan Islands and more on the Pacific coast. Beautiful!

And look at all this driftwood on the beach. Some pieces the size of telephone poles.

And look! A lighthouse! We climbed to the top. I have proof! I guess after that bridge,  everything was minor.

Took a ferry on the way back. Did not see McDreamy anywhere, even though he always rode the ferry by Seattle on Grey's Anatomy!

That's OK. This perfect, no snow weather is better than a celebrity sighting any day! Supposed to be like that here all week. I, however,  won't last here as long as the weather. Might get to do something tomorrow but for most part, it's work time.

There was an actual purpose to this trip. Besides avoiding Old Man Winter's early arrival.