A view of Lake Union

Today, I had some time to kill before meeting my good friend Dennis for lunch in downtown Seattle. I sat on the new dock at Lake Union Park on the south end of the lake. The sun was out and I just soaked up the scenery.

I did a self tour of the M.V. Lotus, a 93ft wooden boat built in 1909 that is a National Historic Landmark and someone's house. The woman who lives on the boat told me that over 1 million people have toured the boat. It really felt like someone's home.

Afterwards on my way to lunch I saw the S.L.U.T. (south lake untion train).

What about your house in Seattle?

We are renting it and we signed the lease with our renter today.

Where are you going to live?

We rented a house, sight-unseen, using craigslist. It is in Bethesda, MD. It is 1/2 way between her new office and the main campus of the NIH (National Institute of Health). Our landlords live two blocks away and via email and phone calls seem really nice. They know we are arriving ahead of our stuff so they are providing a crib and a air-filled mattress for us.

Are we really leaving?

It is a strange feeling knowing that you are leaving and yet you are instructed not to do any packing. It feels more like we are going through a long overdue fall cleanup. Besides using craigslist I've also been using freecycle. This organization exists in many communities and the golden rule is: "It must be free". In the last few days I have given away a 27" color tv, 8 milk crates and that old comfy couch! I added two more items tonight.

The reason why we haven't done any packing is because if we pack they might unpack it and repack it to their specifications. Also, if we pack something and it is damaged, they will not be responsbile.

Not having to pack just doesn't make it seem real.

Wait...Wait...Wait...Wait...Go!

After Melissa accepted her new job we waited for the details. For 4 months. As September began to wind down with no details on the logistics of our move the stress began to go up. Finally, the govt began to respond although at times it is still hit and miss. We are in the final week of our 14+ years in Seattle.

The Beginning of the End

Utah, 2007. A ski slope and a tree. I've probably said too much already.