A "Just Because" Get Away

This is Opening Day weekend for Puget Sound boating and we decided to head down to Seattle to Bell Harbor for a couple of nights.

We arrived nice and early on Friday and spent the afternoon and evening walking around Pike Place Market and some of the surrounding streets. Since we arrived on May 1, there was a huge police presence as they were getting ready for the May Day protests that take place each year. The protests and marches are held for various causes including a Black Lives Matter March and an immigrant and workers' rights event. Some are peaceful but these events have a tendency to bring out those who are looking for a reason to cause problems. We returned to our boat in the evening and watched the news on TV as helicopters hovered overhead. There were a few problems up on Capitol Hill that were described as a "riot" but things remained quiet down by the marina.

On Saturday, Holly and Jerry joined us and we explored Pike Place Market. They showed Bob and I the Gum Wall - a site that is listed on the tourism sites as something to see! I'm not quite so sure about that but at least we can say we saw it. Both sides of the alley are covered with gum "from all over the world", I'm sure.

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at Anthony's near the marina and then we walked down to check out the Big Wheel. Bob and I rode the ferriswheel last year and had a wonderful time. I highly recommend it. It's about $15 per person but gives a great view of the city and lasts long enough we felt we got our money's worth.

After Holly and Jerry left, we relaxed at the boat, took Barkley for walks and enjoyed our dinner on the boat. We left on Sunday and had a smooth trip back to Everett. It was so good to finally get out on the boat to go somewhere. We need to do this more often but it seems like life has a way of getting in the way. Fortunately, we have several trips scheduled in the next few months that we can look forward to.