FrogLanding Blog: Seattle Sojourn

Friday, January 22, 2016

Seattle Sojourn

My morning view...for one week in January....

Sometime ago a plan hatches, to take a beach break and visit Jessica in January. With flights four days a week from Loreto to Seattle it is possible to be lifted out of beach camp life at 1:00 p.m. and dropped down in Seattle at 8:05 p.m. What takes us basically two and a half weeks to accomplish by RV, can magically happen in 7 hours. How can that be?

The original plan did not include my broken tooth, need for a crown or Jessica being sick. However, strangely, it all fit together....within 8 days of Seattle city living.

To my surprise, I walk out the boarding gate at Loreto Airport, and climb the stairs to a 737 aircraft! The plane is only half full, so I luxuriate with three seats to myself. A fast flight...one hour 26 minutes and suddenly I am navigating customs at LAX. That part is not so fast, as it's a long, long walk from the arrival gate. However, "Global Access" again proves handy as there is an open kiosk and I am cleared in just a minute or two. No checked luggage means I skate right up to the agriculture inspection and glide on through. Back through security again, and out to the next gate with 50 minutes to spare. Amazingly I stand at the arrival curb under the Alaska sign and my friend, Nancy, pulls up in her VW wagon. I have officially landed in familiar territory, but I still feel like a foreigner. I think it's the city thing.

Monday morning at 7:30 a.m. sharp, I am at a dentist's office and the procedure to set up the broken tooth for a crown is beginning. Two hours later the mold is ready to send to the lab...and the amazing news is, that with my traveling lifestyle and desire to get back to the beach without spending two or three weeks in Seattle, they are able to get the lab to rush the project. I watch as the package is driven away to the lab. Next appointment....in three days!!

Nancy is my cheery delivery driver for such an early dental date. Three days later, on Thursday afternoon, she takes me back for crown installation.

Wow! I never imagined I would be so happy to see this beautiful porcelain crown ready to go into my mouth! Thanks to Jessica for this great dental office referral!

The broken tooth, now just a faint memory. Let's hope it stays in that category.

Aside from the car trips to the dentist in the U District, I am able to walk everywhere on my daily routine. Visits to Jessica up on First Hill, about a 12 minute trip. Over to the art store on Broadway, another 12-15 minute jaunt. How about a tour of the new Starbucks Roastery and Tasting Room? Same.

I buy myself an early birthday present of black ink pens, sketch book and colored pencils that turn into watercolor wash. Fun coming up.

Nancy insists on a tour of the new Starbucks place. It's amazing. Darn it though...too late in the day for coffee. I will return!

Look who I found! A street musician! With the great grandfather of the ukulele!

Here's the latest in city parks in the street! Parking spaces are blocked off and painted, concrete barriers with flowers and chairs and tables added....bingo! A "park-ette "!

Nancy and Nan created a dinner and took it over to Jessica...including passing on the secrets of my mother's favorite salad dressing.

There was a birthday eve celebration for me.....complete with candle and mini music machine, birthday meal...sweet pastry "cakes" and, most importantly lots of laughter.

So, the girls weekend with Jessica will be a "do over," but this birthday and Seattle Sojourn will not be forgotten. Her health is improving and I am grateful.

Sunday morning at 3:00 a.m. the Silver Streak Delivery Service pulls up to SeaTac and Nan and her backpack and ukulele tumble out. (If you get up at 2:20, Sunday morning comes along pretty quick after Saturday night)

It's January 17th. The birthday of Benjamin Franklin....Betty White....and...ME! My flight to Loreto departed at 5:05 a.m. Whoever thought that was a good idea? But, it's the only idea.