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June 2005
Seattle
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After California, I flew north to Seattle, Washington. At about 300,000 people it's the largest city and economic hub of the state. I was born there, and although we moved to California when I was only six, I moved back and lived in Seattle again from 1985 until 2001. I have lots of friends in the city, so it was easy to spend a few weeks visiting.
I stayed with Marcy and Domenick. They are truly the "host and hostess with the mostess."
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I visited my old house in the Greenwood neighborhood. New owners Doug and Vicki seem very happy living there.
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Seattle is full of beautiful "Craftsman" houses with lush gardens.
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I did some great eating (ribs at Lenny's)
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Skagit Valley
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Next I went up to the beautiful Skagit Valley, where I lived during 2002 and 2003.
My main mission was to thin out my storage locker (most of my remaining U.S. worldly possessions.) I had a garage sale and sold a lot of stuff, then moved the remainder into a smaller 5' x 10' locker.
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Mount Vernon, the county seat, is a pleasant little town with a still-vibrant downtown. But downtown shop-owners are worried about the recent city approval for a new Walmart SuperStore over by the interstate.
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Skagit Bike riding! Out on the Skagit Flats / visit to a wildlife refuge on the Skagit River.
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More food: Yummy pancakes with Lynne and Stoney.
(I stayed with Stoney in his spacious apartment above over Pacioni's Pizzeria.)
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Tacoma
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Next I visited my friend Chris Martin in Tacoma. We got to be good friends in Cuba during the mid-90's. On this trip I stayed with her three nights and she gave me a grand tour of "Renaissance Tacoma."
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Glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly at the new Tacoma Glass Museum.
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More great eating...
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Sadly, it was near the end for Chris's ailing husky, Sasha. She had to put him down a few weeks after my visit.
I hope his gentle soul is happy in doggy heaven.
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After 45 days in the U.S., I flew back home to the Philippines...Bye-bye America, thanks for the great vacation!
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