Last day in Seattle for now: short and sweet

What's striking about this picture? If you're one of the friends I've visited during the last 10 days or so in Montana, BC, or Washington, or this weekend's coming visits in the Portland area, you know the answer immediately: shadows! The sun was out this morning for my walk around Green Lake and it stayed out most of the day. Everyone has been so apologetic about their weather that I feel bad for them. For me the clouds, off-and-on rain, and 60ish temperatures have been bliss, especially after hearing from Diane that DC is still sweltering in its heat and humidity.

After another delicious lunch with great service at BluWater around the corner I picked up the blueberry-cherry pie (yes, now it can be told) at Urban Bakery and headed for the town of Black Diamond about an hour's drive away. There I met Betsy, a childhood friend of Rachel's and daughter of Lucy, my host the first night of this trip. She lives on Lake Sawyer with her husband Craig and kids Alex, Wendy, and Christina.

By the end of the afternoon I'd met all of them in one of the most relaxed, warm visits of this trip. Though I'd never met any of them before I felt totally at home. Betsy took me on tour of their end of the lake in the two kayaks you see in the photo, and then we all pitched in to make dinner together. Their two large dogs, Midnight and Peanut, were in charge of entertainment and performed their role well.

Betsy apologized because the clouds blocked the great view they often get of Mt. Rainier to the right of this photo's view. You know what? The afternoon was as good as it could have been even without the view.