01.30.08
Whatta weekend: Sunday
Wicked early in the morning, Maureen and I flew to Seattle, Washington to see our brother, Kevin. He’s finishing his second month of training before being deployed to Iraq. He had this weekend free, but the Army wouldn’t let him leave the state to come see me.
I promise I would have given him back!
It couldn’t be helped, though, so Mo and I went to see him for the day. He had to be back on base by 10p.m. (or 2200, as he and his troop called it).
Even though we left early, by the time we got to Belltown in Seattle, it was noon. Maureen had gotten us a room with a great view.
We met some of Kevin’s buddies and let them store their stuff in our room for the day. One was kind enough to take a picture of us all together.
Then, lunch! We were hungry. And unlike the last time I visited Seattle, I was with people who would eat seafood. We went to a place on the water that offered a four course crab feast. It was delicious.
Kevin had not had a chance to see the aquarium yet, and I hadn’t either, so that’s where we went. Every aquarium is a little different. This one was about as nice as Monterey Bay. The big difference for me was the large octopus environment. We arrived just in time for feeding.
Otherwise, it had what I consider standard aquarium elements: touch pools, an aviary of local sea birds, a large display of larger fish where you can sit and enjoy them swim. We had a good time. Although I was still in rough shape from yesterday. Thank you, Tylenol.
We retired to the hotel for drinks and appetizers. Most of his troop was in the lobby area, drinking. A few came and chatted with us in the bar. It was fun hearing stories about Kevin.
All too soon, the limos (yes, limousines!) came to pick up the troops and take them back to base… They’ll be leaving for Iraq soon.
