Goodbye Seattle

Our anniversary dinner, other than including another mile of waking (and this time dressed fancy and one of us in heels!) came together perfectly. We took an Uber (first time doing that and nothing to report) to the ferry terminal where we waited in a big line for the very late Bainbridge Ferry.

It seemed, based solely on the three 50 something women chanting (yes, they actually started chanting "be on time") that the level of lateness we experienced is an epidemic in these parts, and they are, all three, going to be writing their government officials again about fixing this problem. A problem which another person pointed out is likely the product of the lack of competition in the ferry transport industry at Bainbridge Island... The ferries are run by the Washington State Department of Transport, and if you'd like to contact them about this problem you'll be doing the most good for these people who are clearly suffering, so Google it. Or do something useful with your time.

The ferry ride afforded us some beautiful views of Seattle's waterfront, the U.S.'s 128th most ultra-prominent mountain peak (apparently, also knowns as Mount Rainier), a small chunk of Puget Sound, and Bainbridge Island's supporting cast of background mountains. The ferry was filled with people heading home for dinner, tourist, and a few hikers heading to wander the Island's nature walks, and, I must say, never have I found public transport so enchanting. The crowd alone were worth the trip and then there was the dinner.

We had dinner reservations on the island, which the late ferry caused us to delay so we wouldn't feel rushed, and ultimately we only would have been a mere five minutes late for the original reservations, and they could seat us when we arrived regardless. My Human surprised me with this adventure to the island and dinner, and went out of his way to find a restaurant that would have delicious food options I could have and enjoy. This dinner lands on the exclusive list of "fancy dinners" in what has become something of a once-a-year-expensive-date-night arrangement we have developed over the last four years. And we will always have Red Door, that little cafe in Monterey on our honeymoon, Perch, and now Bainbridge Island. Privileged or blessed or just delighted, we felt so happy to be able to make time (and set aside money) for such a delightful evening.

When our date night meal was wrapping up, we realized that if the ferries were still running late we might be able to make the "nine o'clock" back to Seattle, which would give us a new set of amazing sunset views. So we hussled to the ferry terminal and arrived in the back of the boarding line at 9:11pm, exactly as the loudspeaker woke up with "this is the first and last boarding call for the late nine o'clock ferry. We have three minutes, so all aboard." Only about four people joined the line behind us between the call and our stepping onto the ferry so the timing was perfect.

Our ferry trip back was bathed in an array of beautiful sunset colors and city lights (yes, the sun sets after 9pm this far north, and, as much as tried to prepare the Florida Boy for it, the brightness still confused me). We met the only abnoxious people we've encountered on this trip (the group of fifteen teenagers disembarking the ferry with us), and we made our way to our Uber pick up.

In Seattle as a whole, we've heard three car horns, and riding around the city in a car is deafeningly quiet. Our delightful Uber host drove us "home", and made small talk with us about how we've found the city and some of her longest drives for passengers. We talked with her about the city's love for and programs for the homeless which was a struggle for me not to become emotional about as I told her how amazing it has been to feel the warmth the city has for these people even as a visitor here.

And so, we packed a little, set alarms, edited down the sunset photo count, and landed in bed for a rest up before we head south again, too late to beat the Tacoma traffic, it seems... Wake up, Love; it's time to make as few trips as possible down and up and down the two flights of stairs between us and the car!