profile
from Portland, Oregon to Seattle and then on to Whidbey Island on Puget Sound. The train trip was pleasant but getting lunch nearly required elbow pads and a crowbar to negotiate the line snaking its way to the luncheon counter...and we were one of
the first in line! I made do with a kosher hot dog.
The train ride along Puget Sound made it all worthwhile. We could catch a quick view of Mt. Ranier as we passed through Tacoma. We finally arrived in Seattle. We passed Safeco Field where the Seattle Mariners allegedly play baseball. Live broadcasts of Mariners games are highlighted by the sounds of passing trains and their pitchers dishing up three-run home runs. We'd arrived safe and (Puget) sound in Seattle.
We were met by my Sis Linda and took a ferry boat to her and
hubby Jim's home on Whidbey Island. When we got there we were
dazzled by Sis's latest quilting projects. It seems that the
womenfolk in my family have a highly refined gene that deals
with such work as crochet and quilting skills. Given a needle
I think any one of them could perform heart surgery and knock
out a quilt for the patient's hospital bed at the same time.
Sis is exhibit "A" to this notion. Her work defies description.
The next day we were back on the ferry to Seattle to take in
its new library and a trip to Pike Market, one of my favorite
places on earth. Seattle's library is like no other library I
have ever seen. I almost expected Spiderman to come swinging
through the rafters at any moment. Pike Market is its usually
quirky self with seafood, vegetables and flowers galore. I
was able to buy some fresh Halibut (extremely hard to find
in Japan) and a mixture of wild chantrelle, morel and cepes
mushrooms...supper will be served and I'm gonna cook it, by
golly. Halibut poached in a wild mushroom consomme!
On the way to a farmer's market on Whidbey, we passed a
gathering of Model A Ford enthusiasts. I had to take a pic
of Chizuko next to a roadster that I would die for. If I
had the cash I would've bought it for her, but she'd have
trouble with the old fashioned gearshift. But with a silk
scarf and wide-brimmed hat, she'd turn a lot of heads in
Tokyo! Maybe even stop traffic!
Whidbey Island has been berry, berry good to me...in fact
to anyone who's been to a farmer's market there. It's a
fresh berry wonderland. Boysenberries, Loganberries, Blue-
berries, Raspberries and more! Sis bought a whole box of
them. We had fresh berry pie for dessert after I cooked
the halibut.
Finally, we had to wish Linda & Jim farewell before
returning (retuning?) to Japan.
