Sleeping less in Seattle!

Ok, Seattle is not Europe but I was determined to get out of Anchorage and pretend that I was actually living a (semi)retired life. Circumstances were such that I was itching to visit my 24-year-old son Michael who lives in Seattle and a movie of mutual interest was about to premier. Being Trekkers, both Michael and I were pretty excited about the release of a new Star Trek movie. I raised Michael on Star Trek movies and TV episodes (not to mention all the Star Wars stuff too) so it was a no-brainer that we should use the movie’s premier to join forces and experience the new adventures of the new USS Enterprise and its reinvented crew. NOTE: No movie review provided; however, seeing it twice will help you understand more about what happened and why.






My trip lasted 3 nights/4 days and it was certainly was a “sleep less” adventure. Long days lasted to 1, 2 and 3 am! The action-packed trip included a midnight showing of Star Trek at the Seattle Center’s IMAX theater, a second viewing at the Downtown Cinemax Theater, touring Pike Market, bicycle riding, tennis, long walks in the University of Washington Botanical Gardens, watching a movie or two and playing video games on Michael’s entertainment center, playing chess games, mini-golf, hiking in Discovery Park, playing pool, and eating, eating, eating. Throw in a beer or two or three as well. Bluebird weather occurred each day…for me it was almost too hot!

It was a real special treat to have great conversations with my son and to meet and spend time with Michael’s girlfriend Jamie, who is attending Bastyr University and studying to get a BS in Herbal Science. Michael, who is a design engineer with Pathway Medical Technologies, learned earlier in the week that he would be laid-off in July…that put a damper, somewhat over things but Michael is looking forward to the challenge of regrouping and charting a new course for his future. I also had a chance to meet his other housemates who are also attending college…one (Chris) is pre-med, Tommy is in a math doctorate program, and Travis will be attending the Seattle Film Institute this fall. Michael is hoping that they'll all be able to remain roommates when the lease runs out in August and they have to move from their wonderful location.

My Florida buddies Bill and Yianni (John Bob) are planning to run the inaugural Seattle Rock and Roll Marathon in June. I had hoped to scope out the entire course but much of it overlaps with what is the Seattle Marathon course, which I ran in 2003. I think they'll find the course pretty easy, as it avoids most of the large hills east of downtown Seattle and the stretch along Lake Washington will be very refreshing (that is if there isn't a north wind blowing). Sorry Yianni, I couldn't find a good hiding place for the bottle of ouzo...too many homeless folks camped out along the route! Maybe you guys can hoist a brew with Michael while you are back there.

I put together a slide show of my Seattle trip and it is posted in the right column of my blog. Seattle and its surroundings are very photogenic, so it was hard to limit the number of photos I wanted to take. Enjoy the shots and certainly come to the west coast and spend spring time in Seattle. My guess is that you'll sleep less in Seattle like I did.


Live long and prosper!