Day 11: Cle Elum, Washington – Seattle, Washington
May 11, 2008
“I with you, and you with me, Miles are short with company.”
George Eliot
My mom has been sending quotes like the one above and I would like to thank her and wish her, as well as all the other mom’s out there, a very happy Mother’s Day.
We drive West along I-90. The weather is a mixed bag of snow, rain, and fog while coming down from the mountains, and clouds and sun while entering Seattle.
Before entering the Pacific Northwest, I have a conscious image in my mind of the people of this region: what they look like, the cars they drive, and how they act.
While driving we see what I believe is the epitome of this image.
We pass an old, cream-colored Merecedes Benz wagon in immaculate condition. In it are 4 young people in their mid to late 20s. I closely watch the group as they slowly pass us. Their skin is a pale yet rich, earthy brown color. Casual smiles are on everyone’s face and look as if they are high. Contemporary, dark rimmed glasses rest on the noses of 2 of the passengers. The haircuts are modern, sharp, and fresh. I feel as if I am watching Volkswagon commercial in real life.
We continue on and I drop Ethan off at the airport. He flies out to Kansas City and will return on May 15.
I depart the airport and meander to downtown Seattle to see the famous Space Needle and Pike’s Place Market.
The concrete floor atop the exterior of the Space Needle gradually rises and falls, and in turn makes every step I take feels as if the Needle is teetering back and forth with the shift of my weight. The view is overcast and rainy but somewhat beautiful, and I wonder if the price of admission, $16, is worth it.
Pike’s Place market is packed. The day is Mother’s Day and hundreds of people walk around with various bouquets of flowers in reds, pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows. I purchase a dozen tulips up for $12 for Kim, a great, longtime friend taking a bus up from Portland to meet up.
We catch up outside the Greyhound Station and make our way to the Bainbridge Island Ferry to head to Olympic National Park. The 3:45PM departs in 15 minutes and we make it in the nick of time; every car departure lane fills up minutes after we arrive.
The ferry ride is peaceful and welcoming, and the drive through Olympic National Park even more so.
We stop at Crystal Lake and the water is gorgeous. We then continue on through massive expanses of where the timbers are being both clear-cut and then re-planted, and I grow fascinated with the timber industry that is both supported and opposed here.
We camp for the night at <<>><<> and pay the $17 fee. Kim gets the MVP award for managing to start a fire in the damp, moist weather.
