Flying Fish, Free raccoons

My friend Annika who is leaving for Jordan (the country) at the end of the week asked me to go for a walk with her last Sunday to watch the sunset and to "not be alone". So we walked out to Golden Gardens, made comments about the high school students, hippies and various other folks who were sitting by the fires, playing with their children or dogs when I heard a splash to my side. It was a fish, jumping out of the water to enlighten me of his existence. I motion to Annika who saw another fish jump. It was hilarious - all of these little fish were jumping out of the water, at sunset, at the Golden Gardens park.

My childhood best friend came out to Seattle this past weekend - she had lived out here for three years right out of college in Montana. Her other dear friend Steve, picked her up late Thursday night but not late enough to skip out on drinks at Murphy's Pub in Wallingford and a late night Dick's Delight (yes, it's hilarious to say, I want some Dicks!). Friday, I snuck out of work a little early to meet Kathy, Steve, Marni and Danielle at the Dubliner (do you see an Irish theme going on here). Kathy and Steve were late so I caught up with Marni and Danielle - curious as to why Kathy never hooked us up before (I had met them all at her wedding.) We drank a couple of happy hour beers and then headed down the hill to Jai Thai to eat some very good Thai good and walk it off on the boardwalk that winds down along the bay in Fremont.

Saturday was Annika's going away party which was a blast - it's always wonderful to meet new people and make new friends who already have common interests as you. Truly she's going to be missed in her little community of xenophiles and ultimate frisbee lovers. I snuck out to join Kathy and Marni for a drink at the Rainbow Room where a band was playing space invaders music.

Sunday we were back at my favorite, Discovery Park, with Pygmy in toe. After a long, leisurely hike, we grabbed a bite before heading downtown to buy gift for her family back at home. Another walk to watch the sunset and dinner at the lovely Madame K's.

Monday took us up to Deception Pass which is just a gorgeous state park where Kathy has seen seals barking in the water. This time it was just the sound of the pebbles at they were each tossed and turned over by the waves was very relaxing. We ate our lunch, talked about the geology of the area and wound down Whidbey Island buying fresh raspberries along the way noting the sign that offered "free raccoons".