Saturday, March 28, 2020

Escape to the City

It was late Friday morning when finally got going. We drove into the city.
Our first stop was Jake's apartment in Ballard, where we chatted outside and delivered his pasta and rice, and a homemade face mask. He works M-Th and has three day weekends, but now there isn't much he can do with his free time. He misses sports to watch on TV, especially international soccer.

From there we drove north, hoping to visit Swanson's Nursery, but, alas, they were closed. Not wanting to go back home yet, we decided a new course of action.

We drove west to east across the city on 45th, through neighborhoods in Ballard and north Seattle and past the University campus and Greek Row, to the University District, where we eventually turned south across the Montlake Bridge and alongside the Arboretum. Everywhere we enjoyed things blooming in yards and gardens and parking strips: golden daffodils and forsythia, pink bergenia, pink and white cherry and plum and ornamental pear trees. The greening of trees is beginning. It's a beautiful time in our city. 

South of the Arboretum we turned east again, through two of the most stately old neighborhoods of Seattle, Broadmore and Madison Park, and south along  Lake Washington Boulevard. All along our route we encountered people in singles and pairs, walking, jogging, and dog walking, all getting their healthy, self distancing exercise. 

Eventually we arrived at our destination, the Stan Sayers Hydroplane Pits on the shore of Lake Washington. Here we would park and go for a walk. 

No crowds, so noisy high speed flying boats, just some waterfowl lazing about. 

We set off on the lake shore path, I with my walking stick, testing how far I could go with my newly acquired sciatica, activated by my aggravated bulging disc. I hate having my active lifestyle limited. 
The breeze was brisk but the promised rain didn't come and we enjoyed a pleasant, slow paced 1.5 mile walk, nodding and waving and greeting those we encountered along the way. 
English daisies sprinkle the lawn. 


It felt good to have been able to get out, get away, and even get a move on in my beautiful city. 

15 comments:

  1. How good you made an escape to a lakeside area where you could walk and enjoy being out in nature.

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  2. I wondered what those daisies are called. Now I know. I'm going to head outdoors once our rain lets up a little. Just for a short walk. :-)

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  3. What a nice, and still safe, trip out!

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  4. That must have been a nice break from the confinement of these past days. I hope both your sciatica and bulging disc are healing so you can once again move about with no pain.

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  5. You managed a safe trip away from the confines of your home. No matter how great our homes are, these days a break away is welcome. That sciatica can really be a misery. Hope you find a way to relieve it. A chiropractor put me right but they are not for everyone. Stay safe and well.

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  6. So many of our big places are closing. The National Arboretueum has closed!! Glad you could get out and about.

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  7. I was just thinking if would be nice to just go for a drive sometime too and just not get out of the car. Our parks are all closed and most of the stores. Just carry-out now.

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  8. looks like a lovely walk with no crowds...it is spring here too the leaves are out on the trees. love the bright yellow green colors!

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  9. We've had some decent weather so have been out in the neighborhood each day. Park trails are still too icy.

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  10. Nice! Hope your sciatica issues can be resolved.

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  11. You do have a beautiful city. When those trees bloom, it must be spectacular.

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  12. This sounds like a perfect outing. So glad you are able to get out and enjoy the day. It always makes one feel so much better. Things are even beginning to look nice here. Trees leading out...Cheers.

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