From the Dump to a Baptism

Trips to see "the kids" always include a wide range of adventures. Our trip to Seattle over Memorial Day to see Lisa and her family had a wider range of adventures than most trips. On Saturday morning, we really did try to give Lisa's old pink leather couches to Goodwill, but, after dragging them out of our car and inspecting them, the Goodwill handlers rejected them ("They're torn and they won't sell").

We packed the couches back in our cars, took them to the dump, and dropped them in the landfill.

We went directly from the dump to the baptism of Bryce's friend, Anna Patterson, who just turned 8.

The treats made it a great party!

The adventure started, though, with our drive from Salt Lake City to Seattle. Our rented SUV was packed full of furniture and collectibles which Grandma Calder left for Lisa when she died in 2009.

On the way, we stopped in Burley, Idaho, for a baked Idaho potato supper...

at the Wayside Cafe, next to Stinkers Stores.

It had one of those glass pie bars.

We stopped at Pendleton Woolen Mills in Pendleton, Oregon, for a wool plaid shirt for David (no matter that the tag said it was assembled in China.)

We stopped at a fruit and antiques store in western Washington for aplets, cotlets, fresh fruit, and wasabi peanuts. We checked out some picturesque antique equipment with a great backdrop of the freeway.

The drive had gorgeous views.

In Seattle, on Friday night, the Flindts congregated at that favorite haunt, Rancho Grande, for enchiladas, burritos, and lots of chips.

We headed downtown on Saturday morning after the baptism, with the kids faithfully bringing "reading matter"...

and Spencer driving with his learner's permit.

He could even start and stop on hils with a stick shift! We visited a selection of parks and museums, including a park honoring firefighters...

a police museum...

a lunch break at Pizza Professionals...

and the zoo.

David especially like this hat at the zoo store.

Saturday evening, Kyle and Lisa joined us for Copper River salmon, available only a few weeks per year, at Anthony's overlooking the harbor.

We then toured Kyle's office in the gorgeous, art deco Seattle Tower, built in 1928. Gretta, who took an art deco walking tour with Jonny and Jenny in Chicago this spring, was entranced by the ornate lobby.

On Sunday morning we let the Flindts sleep in and relax from our onslaught. Dave and I wandered through Pike Market.

We bought a bouquet of flowers for Lisa...

and satisfied our craving for Pike Place chowder.

We also visited the huge, fabulous Northwest Folk Life Festival, which Michael K and Spencer also visited with their friends on Memorial Day weekend.

There was even a one-man band.

Our favorite shop sold furry hats and goggles.

We attended Church, devoured a sparerib, fresh corn, and strawberry shortcake dinner (I was too busy cooking to take pictures), and hiked around the Botanical Gardens, admiring the azaleas in full bloom.

And the magnolias smelled so sweet!