Dad's visit

 Welp, Dad has been dropped off at the airport and god willing will soon board his flight home to St. Paul in just a bit.  This is the longest I've spent with my dad since leaving home after finishing high school, and even then we didn't spend all day everyday together for 10 days straight.  I love my dad, I own being a daddy's girl.  He raised me to have his taste in music (for the most part), his love of Tiger's baseball and an enjoyment of all things historical. So we get along, but 10 full days is a lot for any 2 people to spend together.  

The road trip was nice as it provided its own agenda each day, we needed to get from point A to point B, and there were often things we (I) wanted to see along the way.  If you haven't read the blog days with my dad I suggest you do so Aberdeen, Lemmon, Little Big Horn, Wilco, and Glacier. 

But once we got home, you're still responsible for the fun of your guest.  To be honest I didn't plan that so well.  I was tired when I got home. I'd been on the road 46 days and was ready to watch horrible reality tv and relax in my bed. 

Tuesday- Arrived home at lunch- I needed a nap.  I put in my laundry and took a nap.  J made a wonderful Salmon dinner for us and we walked to a local spot to get ice cream after dinner. 

The first full day (Wed) dad was in town he was thankfully fairly self-sufficient.  I dropped him off in Seattle in the morning and I spent the better part of the day exploring.  He took the bus home from Seattle and I picked him up at the park'n'ride near our home.  

The 2nd day, dad discovered our on site gym and got in a work out.  Day 2 was relaxed we both "needed a day" to just not do stuff. 

Dad Sitting in a Stealth Jet Seat 

The 3rd day we were smoked in. Between the fires in Canada, Washington and Oregon, it was not pleasant to be outside.  Which sucked because Jon had taken Friday off of work to go hiking with dad and I.  I however am an asthmatic, and smoke is not my friend.  The Museum of Flight saved the day, and is now something we will keep on our list as something more to do when guests are in town.  J and Dad probably could have spent another hour in the WW2 exhibit alone.  There are 2 main "plane" galleries,  one outside and one inside. Give yourself at least 90-120 minutes to really do justice to those 2 spaces.   We went to dinner at Salty's on night 3.  It has quickly become the place we bring guests when they are in town.  Even with the smoke it was a nice view looking back into Seattle and the food is amazing.

Salty's 
Alki, Seattle, WA

 

J, Claire and Dad
Mount Rainer, W

Day 4 we woke up to much nicer skies and decided to make a go at Mount Rainer.  We opted for Sunrise as it was only 2 hours away and we did need to get my dad

on a plane today. The two hours down was fine.  I made it 1 mile up the trail and climbed the equivalent of 25 flights of stairs.  The first part is the toughest. We got some good photos together and I decided that was enough for me.  I don't do great at altitude and it was still smokey, and my lungs told me enough, so I listened.-(It's this new thing I'm trying called listening to your body). On the way home from the hike we stopped at The Mint in Enumclaw.  It's a cute downtown area.  Will need to remember to stop there on the way home from Rainer in the future- the Italian place we walked passed smelled wonderful.  As for the Mint, they did screw up our drink order, but the food was good.  I got the grilled turkey with cinnamon apples and brie.  I really cannot turn down anything with brie.  Got home dad got cleaned up and packed and set to head home. 

Dad and Claire with Rainer Beer
At Mount Rainer

    Signing off for now

    -C