La Quinta Inn Bellevue / Kirkland / Seattle

... next to come. But you are somewhere...you're 'between'." ~Mister Rogers So I'm in the 'between' part, and despite the fact I don't have a full time job, I've been finding plenty to do. One day a week I have an internship with City Arts Magazine, a free monthly publication with editions in Seattle, Tacoma, and the Eastside. I get to do a little writing and editing, and just generally see how magazines are published. While I am looking for another part time job, I'm ...

... which actually strikes fear into my heart: "Drivers, return to your cars." Surely I would still be running laps around the parking decks if I hadn't found my dad standing by my Acura, just as the cars were about to unload. My heart beating, my brain in panic mode, wondering how tears and hyperventilation would go over with the other passengers and crew. Oh yes, these moments brought back memories of losing my mom in the Safeway when I ...

Well today I boarded the cruise ship. Registering at the hotel was great as I didn't have to stand in the long lines here at the ship to board. I got to go through the 'short' line which was really short! For those of you who know I love Diet Coke, I signed up for their unlimited soda refills and it's Coke products so I have my Diet Coke - yeah! Okay, it cost money but ...

... and very flavoursome. The fries were pretty good and there were millions of them. We decided against dessert and headed out at around 7:30pm. Hannah headed back to her hotel and I took the longish, uphill trek to my B&B. I stopped in a mini-market on way for some pop and bananas - some right characters working there, all pierced and tattooed! I got back and settled into my room, spending the rest of the evening just reading and chilling.

... all along the way. We feel we are now walking in gratitude. The next morning we walked to the Agate Passage Friends Meeting, worshipped with them, and after a potluck lunch shared our skit and presentation. When we set out afterwards, several Friends walked with us to our next destination. Again we appreciated good conversations and made new F/friends. Our next hosts were not present during our two nights, due to illness and hospitalization. They gave their key to a neighbor and this ...

... bed early. Tues 14th Aug Woke up to a lovely sunny day, went from Stanley on the Salmon River Scenic Byway, amazing scenery through the Salmon River Mountains. Passed through thr towns of Sunbeam, Clayton and Chalice at 8283ft. They all had a pioneer, log cabin feel to them. Dropped down in to Salmon, lovley quaint 1 street cowboy town, shopped for gifts & food. Began to notice more smoke from forest fires as we headed north to the Big Hole National Battlefield just ...

... flyer miles, on Northwest or any other airline. Braden, our son, left somewhat later still because he lives in Boston, and it would be silly for him to fly to Seattle to fly to London, wouldn't it? Eventually, we are to all meet up in York, where the wedding takes place on Tuesday.

... His "roommate," which we have never met, is really the only one living in the house. So we feel a little like we are intruding on his roommate. He has been very gracious and even put towels out for us in case we want to take a shower in the morning. But, that sure wasn't happening for me since I also found out yesterday that they didn't have any heat in the house. I guess since Doug doesn't live there, he didn't want to pay to have the oil tank filled and ...

... adventure. During the next two weeks, we expect to experience a wide range of sights and sounds, even though we know that we are not being extreme in our travels. Along the way, we will stop in Atlanta to visit by brother and his wife. Then we are off to SA, with our next destination which is a game reserve in the Natal province ...

After being alone in Seoul for a few days I was ready to come home. The hostel didn't really have many other young folks that I saw, so there weren't good opportunities for doing things with others. Being on my own after such an intense month was actually challenging. However, I'm back at home and missing the darling country already.