Visit to Seattle

This evening, I'll be headed home from my mini-vacation in Seattle. It's been so nice to get away and not be on any kind of schedule. I was able to see my good friends, spend Father's Day with my Dad, and take in a few sights. Two of my friends I have not seen in a year and I was surprised at how easy it was to pick up where we left off - it was like I'd never left. I don't think I've laughed this much in ages, which has done wonders for reducing my stress level. Purposely, I did not rent a car - mainly to avoid the cost - but also so that it would force me to walk a bit more. Dad rented a few flicks - Nashville (a 1975 Robert Altman film) and Glory Road. Both were pretty good, but Nashville was quite interesting and has stuck in my brain just from the sheer odd-ness of the story. I won't do a movie review for it, but if you want something a bit off the beaten path, then I would suggest this show. The pictures below are from Alki beach:

Anchor at Luna Park

cute goslings at boat launch

obligatory "flower" shot - because I love flowers

picture in concrete of swimmers at Luna Park

view of Space Needle from Alki

Interesting History of Alki: According to the government site for parks in the Seattle area, Alki beach was where the first white settlers came to the Seattle area in 1851. They were greeted and helped to build housing by Chief Seattle and his tribe. One of the first proposed names for Seattle was "Duwamish", which came from the Chinook word "duwampsh" (meaning many colored river). Apparently, in the early 1900's, Luna Park was built up - complete with amusement rides and music (none of which remain today) and was considered the "Coney Island of the West".