Seattle, Washington

June 15, 2009

We met up with Rick and Pat at the Lake Pleasant RV Park, a beauty with sites along the perimeter of two small lakes. Again we really enjoyed being able to share cooking responsibilities with them and collaborate on some great meals.

We did the tour of downtown; Pike’s Market, docks, shops, Nordstrom’s Flagship! I was amazed by downtown. This is a city with half the population of Dallas and twice the downtown. They have managed to keep businesses open and well in an era where many cities are in decline. One obvious thing they have done is to keep their sports teams in the downtown area. Dallas certainly missed that boat! (They have managed to keep the Mavs and Stars, but let the Rangers and Cowboys, and now Cotton Bowl get away.)

Russell and I took a tour of underground Seattle, a real treat. It is in the old downtown area of Pioneer Square. Our guide gave a very humorous view of the founding fathers and their many missteps. In this area you enter buildings on the second floor; all first floors are under street level. This was not the original design. I guess all of us know too much about how our hometowns came to be and harbor a little disdain toward the leaders we know a little too much about.

The Rutherford’s tired of gloomy Seattle and went on to the next destination. We stayed on a bit to handle some business and regroup.

NEXT TIME: stay awhile