Worry About Seattle August 1, 2012

Hi.  Some of you may know (but many probably don't) that my daughter, Ariel, is traveling the country.  She left the week before Mother's Day.  (I'm trying not to take it personally).  She is WWOOFing.  That stands for WorldWide Opportunities on Organic Farms.  She travels the country working on farms in exchange for room and board.  Before she left she asked if Hannah, my six year old, might be allowed to go see her this summer.  Because minor children flying alone require direct flights, and frequent flier miles NEVER EVER have direct flights, (and because I would never spend real money on sending a kid across the country) it was decided that I would join Hannah in a flight from the most southeastern state (Florida) to the most northwestern state in the continental US (Washington).  Seattle more specifically.  We leave Thursday, noonish.

This trip will be different than the others.  You see, we will be in Washington for two whole weeks, but only one of those weeks will be spent together.  For one week Hannah, Ariel, and Ariel's boyfriend, Tyler will be on a farm five hours away from Seattle while I will be left to wander the city on my own.  "Oh no!  What will Diana do to occupy her time?" I know that just crossed your mind.  Don't worry about me.  I have plenty planned.  Worry about Seattle. 

Seattle has long been #2 on my list of places inside the US, and got bumped up to #1 after I visited San Francisco.  I've gathered a list of things to do from well seasoned Seattlites willing to share ideas.  The list includes visiting the Space Needle, seeing EMP(Experience Music Project), checking out Pike's Place and buying some almonds, eating at Salties on Alki Island, going to the Waterfront, and visiting the Seattle Public Library. Of course I will be checking out at least one Toastmaster meeting while I'm there.  It seems I have lots to do and I haven't even stepped on the plane yet.  

Things I definitely plan on doing:

Hang from the Space Needle

Catch a flying fish

Drink some coffee (duh!)

We have rented a cute loft studio apartment in Pioneer Square for the first ten days, then we move to a youth Hostel, http://www.hostelseattle.com/.  I'll send pictures as soon as I can.  

In the past year I have taken a few trips and most of you have been a delight to have along.  Like most groups there have been some unruly members, but all in all, you've added to the fun.  That's why I wanted to take you along again.  This is the first trip where I actually asked some of you if you'd like to receive my emails.  In the past I just sent them to you, assuming you would want to tag along.  After all, who wouldn't?  But this time I thought that you should have the option of "Opting-Out".  That being said, if you'd like to opt out of getting these fun-filled, exciting, descriptive and observational emails, respond to this email with the subject line "Please don't include me in your fun.  I'm far too boring to bring on vacation!" and I will remove you from the list.

Just kidding.  There's no opting out.