Solo in Seattle

Space Needle Seattle WA.

For one weekend in March, I was on my own in one of my favourite U.S. cities. Seattle Washington State.

TT had to fly off to do a show in Wabash Indiana so we picked Seattle as a great place for me to spend a “car-less” as apposed to “careless” weekend. Although it was pretty careless as well;  I didn’t have any “Roadie Duties” and no-one else to think about but ME.

TT settled me into The Ramada Hotel “Downtown” on 5^th Avenue.

He had carefully chosen it to be within walking distance of most of the places I wanted to visit. Just down the street, The Space Needle towered above The Seattle Center, venue for the Worlds Fair in 1962.

The overhead tram, carrying visitors to the Center, rattled to and fro outside my 2^nd floor window.

TT then drove in BB to the airport.

BB was left in the parking lot while TT flew away to do a show in the Honeywell Centre Wabash Indiana.

While he was away I had a fine time.

After he left, I didn’t bother to unpack as it was a glorious sunny afternoon and the Harbour,with Olympic Mountains and Market were calling to me.

It only took a few minutes to walk there and join the motley crew, sitting by the Harbour.

There were families with children enjoying the sunshine, Romantic looking couples, several police, one on a horse, overseeing the proceedings. They seemed to be keeping a watchful eye on some “less fortunate” folk, carrying their belongings in plastic bags. Some of them were quietly asking for handouts.

The sea gulls weren’t asking, just dive bombing onto any stray food.  I kept a wary eye on them while I ate a delicious Turkish snack from one of the ethnic stalls in the market.

Here are some photos of what happened to me a few weeks before on the pier at Santa Barbara California.

Seagull 1. Roadie Gran 0. At least I had eaten most of the Crab!

Crab lunch Santa Barbara Pier

Sea Gull steals my plate and left overs!

I wandered around Pikes Place  Market, revisiting the now world famous Fish Market.

I once attended a programme at work inspired by the philosophy of these crazy fish sellers. Here is a link. It’s worth watching the video to see the “Flying Fish”!  Anyway, I think my favourite sight was the fresh flowers stalls. No photos as I decided to walk around uncluttered by a camera.

I almost stayed until the sun set with other Seattle sun and mountain viewers overlooking the harbour and the mountains.

I hoped TT and BB were enjoying their afternoon and evening as much as I was.

Saturday

The next day I walked the few blocks to the Seattle Center. There were crowds of people standing in line for a “Star Wars” exhibit and movie. They were turning people away.

Fortunately there were hardly any takers for the Imax movie about Lewis and Clark. I loved it. So glad I had TT and BB to bring me to and from the East over the mountains to the “Wild West” What took Lewis and Clark about a year, took us about 4 days to travel.

While catching my breath after the adventure with Lewis and Clark, I dried my face. I’m sure there was water on it after Imaxing along those roaring rivers with them.

Next I wandered off in search of The Children’s Theatre. It wasn’t open. I found this out by walking the wrong way and arriving back stage at the loading dock. There were a couple of actors taking a cigarette break here.

They filled me in on what was showing here. Which wasn’t anything that day?   One of these young men was playing the part of a Glow Worm. I told him to “break a leg”. Not sure if this was appropriate as I imagine they are legless.

Next to one of the food courts, some students were interviewing a lady artist. She wore a dread locks, a long leather apron.

They were asking her about “World peace”. Her reply was that she thought it could only be achieved by everyone being at peace within themselves. Sounds great in theory, but obviously unachievable without finding peace with God first.

Isn’t all the lack of peace between us only a reflection of the unrest in our souls? What did St Augustine say, “ “Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in thee..”

Sunday in Seattle

Walked to City Church in the rain. Wore my U.K waterproof over-trousers, which I took off in the ladies restroom.

Sat in on an Alpha class.

Karla, one of the greeters invited me back to her house for lunch. Just like that.

Karla's house in the snow. It wasn't snowing but raining the day I visited

What a treat.

Karla and her family

She then gave me a tour of Seattle, which included a visit to “Starbucks” of course. Here I had my first experience of a vanilla scone. Very nice.

TT arrived home early the next day with BB and off we went again on our travels

Back to today. Good Friday morning.

Checking out of our hotel in Kansas City.

TT is asking me to finish as we are now heading off East to Warsaw IL for 2 performances over this Easter Weekend.

Remembering the death of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, I’ve been listening to this hymn on You tube.

The Servant King by Graham Kendrick

“Thanks be to God for His indescribably gift”

Advertisement