4th of July 2014

This year I skpped the 3rd of July Street Dance.   Getting ready for the trip to Yellowstone.

I had Bronwen give me a ride to the water taxi for the 10:00 departure, and then I can get on the 10:35 sailing to Bainbridge.   Last year I did this Pat and I tried to take the free shuttle to the water taxi. It never showed up and B had to drive us to the taxi.   This year I asked B for a ride to the water taxi.  We got there and there was no boat to be seen. Some times they fuel up between runs and it popps out from behind a barge but not today.  A Metro guy came out and said it was 10 min delay.. Thats too close to connect to the Ferry.   So B once again saves my 4th of July!  She drove me to the ferry!

Once on the Island I tried to find Kelsey, She said they were still on thier boat, just tying up.  So I wandered and found the Water Polo team booth  and bought a cool hat.  I called Kelsey again and she was close to being ready, but not yet. I decided to walk over to Mikes house and leave some stuff, new hat, phone charger, etc, I didnt want to bring a back pack todaiy.   Not more that 5 minutes after I get there, Kelsey texts me, she is coming up to the fest.   I tel her I will meet her in ten minutes. I leave and head back down.  Kelsey is no where! she wont asnwer calls or texts! So I walk around some more and check out booths. Finally she answers her phone, she says she will meet me by Docs. There she is!  Wearing her new Canada sweatshirt she got in BC a few weeks ago!  doh...

Kelsey and I walked around and then ate. I had a Falafel again from the synagogue. Kelsey had Thats aSome Pizza cause there was a short line.. She learned why..  she didnt eat much of it!  My falafel was great, if not a bit over priced at $7 but it was tasty as usual and as usual, no line!  thats cause it's vegetarian, not cause it sucks!

lots of good looking food booths.  I saw Fried Pickles!  love those.

It was nearly parade time, Kelsey was planning on watching it with her mom at Judys shop in front where they yave their chairs all set up.  I walked her there, but on the way we ran into the Photography show!  We went in and they gave us a ballot.   The very first picture was a panaorama shot of Morning Glory Hole from  Yellowstone!  too cool!

After I said my goodbyes, I headed off to Mikes again. I met up wtih Mark and we sat around and chatted for a while Then we haeded up to watch some parade and then we hit the beer garden. Since the parade was not over yet, we got a good spot under the trees and we relaxed and listened to the music.

We then left to get more food. Mark wanted a Falafel!  I had a second one!  yum

As we were leaving,  Mike was leading us thught the massive crowds.  He ducked between two booths, and as he reached the park, looked back and said, "Left or Right?"  I said "Right" as that was the way back to Mikes, where we were headed.   He quickly juked right and starting heading towards his house. I looked to my left and there was Mikes daughter. standing right there. When Mike had looked back to ask which way to go, he missed his daughter!  I shouted to him/ "Mike!  and he then saw her and went rushing over to her.  She was in the parade and was tired and overwhelmed!    He chatted wht her till mom came and then we all went out different directions..  I am so glad I saw her and recognized her! 

I didn't see anyone I know except Heidi.  Weird.. but that's ok.  I took a later boat home than expected, 3:45.  It was on time surprisingly..

 When I got off the boat, I caught the C line to  Alaska Junction.  B met me there and we went to Talaricos for Pizza!  it was so quiet up there!  Very relaxing, Next weekend is the Festival so this is calm before the storm.  We took full advantage. After dinner we went over to the Poggie.. I had this idea to play some pull tabs, but somehow I managed to spend all my money!  doh.. out of cash. 

We got home and watched fireworks from the deck.  B had to go to bed for work, so at 10:15 I walked down to see the Lake Union and Bainbridge show.  I also saw the new show from Clearwater casino (couldn't hear Coolio though!)   I  could see a show by Manchester also!  

The weather was not the best. High tide left little beach in my part of the beach.  The wind was from the Northwest so the fireworks kids were lighting off were drifting over everyones heads.  I tried to stay clear from people but they kept crowding me!  ha ha, I had the headphones on and KEXP was doing a set for the Lake Union show.. I was in my own zone and didnt appreciate the others!  It ended a little after 11. I came back to my deck, but it slowed down pretty good.   I called it a night.

Good times, but sorry I didn't see more people.  Pat was thinking about coming over again, but he didn't and B was really too tired for company.