Whidbey Island, WA (USA)

Didn't have to be at the airport too early - just by 1200 to catch a lucky flight to the Pacific Northwest (one of the benefits of my job). After we got on the plane, it only took about four hours to get to Whidbey Island. The kids were excited and didn't even play with their Nintendo DS on the way - they just looked outside the aircraft. I've been up here before - but never with the family. Our car was waiting and we headed off immediately towards Seattle. Weather was unpleasantly hot (nearly 40 degrees C - thought we could leave that behind in Texas!). Stopped off at Deception Pass on the way - kids enjoyed a "nature hike" through the cedar forest and along the beach. Spent a little time there and enjoyed the "minty fresh" smell (as Mollie called it) of the of the evergreens... We arrived in Seattle after a drive on WA-20 and I-5 - our hotel was the Red Lion on Fifth Avenue (see JAN 2008). Kids excited to be in the city - lots to see and people to watch. Had enough time to walk down to the Waterfront - near the aquarium. Kids rode the carousel there and we had a little to eat as the sun set in the distance. Great views of Olympic Mountains and Elliot Bay. As we walked back up the hill towards our hotel, Mollie spotted the "Hammer Man" near the Art Museum and mentioned a book I had bought her on a previous visit (called "Larry Gets Lost in Seattle" - about a dog who visits all the sights in the city, including the tall black statue that rings in each hour with a hammer ring). I didn't think that she would remember something like that, but it was funny... Kids didn't want to go to bed, but reminded them about the two hour time difference and they went to bed, looking forward to tomorrow.