Seattle vacation

this is Nigel and Henry - best friends  Every day when Nigel would come out, Henry (the rabbit) would come flying out to greet him like a long lost buddy.  Henry showed up two years ago and has adopted Nigel. He somehow manages on his own.

the new growth and the old trees  from MtSt Helens volcano

this is Keely on the trail but what you don't see is the sharp drop off to her right!!  For those of you who aren't bothered by heights, isn't this beautiful?

SEATTLE       at Pikes' farmer's market in Seattle - this place is well known for its flying fish at the fish market but it also has anything you would want with lots of small craft artisans.  We spent part of every day we were in Seattle in the market.

view of Seattle from the ferry.  Isn't this the view you think of when you think of Seattle - fog?

part of the street scene in Seattle

SAN JUAN ISLAND'S KAYAK TOUR      don't they look happy?  They actually are on rocks

the lighthouse in the fog

same lighthouse on the way back - no fog

look at this kelp - isn't it fantastic?  I thought you could if needed make a raft out of a few of the stalks. Once in awhile if the kelp was out a ways you could imagine it was some sort of a very large sea snake/monster!!

My daughter and I flew to Seattle to visit friends on Bremerton Isl. I think that will be my last long trip that includes flying - long, uncomfortable, packed flights coming and going, of course no food - just not fun!  However once we were there it was lots of fun.  The first day we went to Mt.St.Helens which involved very steep roads which out west do not include any type of guard rails.  The area itself is still very stark but beautiful in its own way.  Marianne, Doug, and Andrew went for a hike but again the height was a little too much for me so I turned back on the trail after trying to convince myself that I could do it - my daughter came back with me and we sat and  watched all the people come back with buckets of berries.  They must be like gold to go to those heights to get them!!
The next day Keely and I headed for the San Juan Islands.  We had booked a day kayak trip the following day.  The trip up involved going on two ferries.  The ferry system is fantastic in Washington. On time, turnaround time is short, reasonably priced, relaxing while on it - loved them.
Our kayak trip was with http://www.outdoorodysseys.com/ who believe in small groups only.  Our group was only two kayaks (four people) and our guide - Thomas-who was also a naturalist.It was very foggy so we stayed in close to shore.  The shorline is very rugged but beautiful- but what I was really enthralled with was the kelp-I have never seen any this large,it was incredible.  If we hadn't seen anything else I would have been very happy but we did see eagles who just sat in the trees above us, and seals who were having their downtime and weren't about to be disturbed.  We then had our picnic lunch on a sandy beach waiting for the fog to lift.  It didn't lift in time to continue on so we headed back and then it lifted!!  Still a beautiful trip.  If I was ever in the area again I would definately take a longer trip, like maybe three days at least.  I've kayaked off the coast of Maine several times and love it but this was a different type of terrain.  And having a fun and fantastic guide just adds another whole layer!!
Once we got back to Bremerton we did some day trips into Seattle, again taking the ferry over and back.  My description of Seattle area is that people are very polite -we didn't hear honking in traffic, no hand gestures, drivers stop and allow people in and in the city no one jay walks!!!  Everyone wears a backpack -even in the city - no high heels and black suits for the most part AND biking is a way of life.