Signs of Seattle

At Wallingford Senior Center

At the Seattle Public Library Central Branch

At my Granddaughter's school

On the Metro bus

From my favorite restaurant

I leave with a heart full of joy!

The Doughnut Running Race

This is the first time that I have participated in the Top Pot Doughnut Dash 5K. When I was first planning to go to Seattle, my daughter asked if I'd be interested since I'd be there that day. I said yes and started training to walk the 3.1 miles. Well, hip, back, and foot problems aside, I was ready on the day of the race.

The rest of the gang took off running.

I started the race with only two goals:
   1. To finish the 5k without hurting myself.
   2. To not be the last person to finish.
You may not think those lofty goals, but they were for me!

Then, as I walked at a moderate pace for me, I saw this "old" guy wearing a bright green t-shirt that said "TEAM TRANSPLANT" on it. He kept getting farther and farther ahead of me. I decided that I needed a third goal:
   3. I will finish before the TEAM TRANSPLANT guy!

And once I really warmed up at around the one mile mark, I picked up my pace. It took me to mile two to catch up with him. But I did, and passed him and many others. I crossed the finish line in one hour and one minute! That's really fast for me! And Travis joined me for the last few steps.

Then it was time for the little kids' race. Travis ran like greased lightning! Look! Both feet off the ground!

Later in the day, we went to play at Ella Bailey Park. It was the nicest weather day of my whole time in Seattle.

I couldn't keep up with them, so I tried Katelyn's bike and peddled hard, but a too small bike doesn't help much.

So I went back to playing UNO in the wind with the gang.

The day went so quickly. Soon it was time for my last night of bedtime books and snuggles. I head back to Michigan tomorrow.

Camano Island Adventure

Happy Earth Day!

Today started early, leaving the house with the family. First we dropped off Travis at preschool, then Katelyn and me at Meridian School where I proceeded to the bus to travel further east to Magnuson Park to join other senior citizens for a trip sponsored by Seattle Parks and Recreation to Camano Island. Off we go!

Our first stop was a rest stop that had a really cool tree stump. Twenty feet in diameter, this Western Red Cedar is believed to have been 1000 years old when it was killed by a fire.

We then proceeded to the Matzke Art and Sculpture Gardens on Camano Island.

Here are some of the outside sculptures:

"Moving Upstream" by Tracy Powell

"The Brush Pile" by Steven Rock

"Owl" by Lance Carleton

"The Wisdom Seeker" by Leon White

"Bronco Rider" by Debbie Rhodes

"Burning Bush" by Don Anderson

"Jambalia" by Debbie Rhodes

Then we moved inside to the gallery. It was between exhibits, but everything was excellent! Sadly, that means that I do not have titles or artists' names for many of these. This one was my favorite.

Moryn by Janie Olsen

"Flying with the Constellation" by Todd Horton

"Don't Look Now" by Gary Giovane

"Patiently Waiting" by Gary Giovane

This one looked so much like a photo we took last week at Kayak Point looking toward Camano Island that I couldn't help but take a picture of the painting! There was no description or artist name.

Two more obviously by Gary Giovane but no titles. I love his choice of colors against the birch wood.

And this one is a photo on brushed aluminum!

"Mandala 1" by Steve Satushek

Next on our agenda was a quick trip to Cama Beach Historical State Park.

And lastly to a late lunch in Stanwood. Then back on the bus to Magnuson Park and the Metro bus #75 which magically turns into the #31 somewhere along the route which meant that I didn't have to go downtown to transfer. I got home just in time to see everyone cleaning up after dinner, but they left me a few crumbs.  :-)