July Happens

What a month July was. We had three sets of visitors and moved to our new apartment in Seattle. First on the guestlist was Sarah who flew up from Colorado and spent the Fourth of July weekend with us. Linus quickly won her over with his coolness.



For the Fourth we headed to a Mariner's game which included the requisite stop at the Pyramid Brewery for pre-game imbibing.

The next day we hiked around Point Defiance Park in Tacoma where Sarah and Bridget upped their tree hugger cred.

After Sarah's visit we packed our things and moved to Seattle. We got the new place in working order just in time to welcome our second set of visitors, my mom and nephew Justin. First stop, the Market.

Later in the week we headed for the Pacific coast at Long Beach, Washington. It was the coldest day we had all week and even though it was July, the water was not inviting. Frigid indeed.

On the way back home from the coast we stopped by Mount St. Helens.

The next afternoon we made our way to Anacortes and went whale watching in the San Juan Islands.

We spotted several members of a local orca pod and were able to follow them for a while. On the way back to port Mt. Baker came in to view and we passed a couple of the ferries that service the islands.

The next day we somehow gathered the strength and energy to go to Mt. Rainier's Sunrise Visitor's Center. After a picnic lunch we went for a short hike through mountain meadows and summer snowbanks.

Returning to sea level that evening we celebrated mom's birthday with dinner overlooking Puget Sound.

The final day meant one last day at the Public Market where the fish thowers did their thing.

And on mom and Justin's final night in Seattle Linus gracefully modelled his new scarf and gave away free puppy dog kisses.

Shortly after our second set of guests departed Bill and Bernie arrived. On their first morning in town we made our way to Bakery Noveau in West Seattle. With good reason we refer to this place as "the world's best bakery." There are plenty of people who can back us up on that assertion. Right Eric? After pastries and coffee we went down to Alki Beach and strolled through the annual art fair.

The Public Market was our next stop as we grabbed some lunch, flowers and cherries. We spent the next day at the Seattle Art Museum before going to Teatro ZinZanni for dinner and cirque under an antique Belgian cabaret tent. After a couple of more days of gallivanting it was time for Bill and Bernie to return to Iowa. As always, everyone's visits seemed way too short and we were sad to see each and all go.