Maryse and I fly to Seattle with the goals of

• attending the memorial service for Seth Kirby (late housemate);
• going for a hike with Dave Gedye (old friend);
• visiting Laurel and Ken (ex-sister-in-law and husband) on Whidbey Island.

Friday 7 Mar

We arrive late. There's a place nearby that serves beer and bad pizza, and has mini golf and other diversions. We sit, have a drink, and watch some young people. A half pizza sits on a nearby table. After about 20 min I can't resist anymore, and I take a slice. One of the young people notices, takes a slice too, and thanks me for breaking the ice.

Saturday 8 Mar

Kenny (my nephew) and his son Ari join us for breakfast at the hotel. We planned on meeting Dave, but he had heart surgery (triple bypass) the previous day (everything went well, and he's back to running again).

Instead we go on a hike (recommended by Dave) in the Snoqualmie Pass area. It goes along a stream and climbs a bit to a waterfall. The flora is quite lush compared to CA.

We eat at a pretty good seafood place in sort of a food court near the hotel.

That night we pick up Daniel (Maryse's son) at SeaTac.

Sunday 9 Mar

We take the ferry (with car) to Bainbridge Island. People are working on jigsaw puzzles. There's a group of Irish musicians and dancers, lending a joyful feel to the crossing. There's a great view of Rainier.

The memorial is held at Islandwood, a wonderful nature education center in the middle of a forest. Seth's family has done a great job. There are maybe 100 people. There's a room with tables full of Seth memorabilia: climbing gear, books, etc.

After a while we move to a small auditorium. One of Seth's many cousins is the MC. There's some singing. Mostly it's open mic: people come up and talk about Seth. Several of the cousins mention a 'Death March' hike that Seth took them on in the Olympics, a while back.

I hesitate, but eventually I go up and talk about Seth's life in Berkeley, which no one knew much about. Daniel goes up and talks also.

Maryse, Daniel and I go to a fancy Chinese restaurant (in a big shopping mall) that serves dumplings. It's just OK. We go to the airport; Daniel is taking a red-eye.

Monday 10 Mar

We drive north, take the Whidbey Island ferry, and drive to Laurel and Ken's house in Coupeville. They greet us warmly; Maryse and Laurel hit if off. We go for a hike at Ebey's Landing: along the bluffs overlooking Perego's Lagoon, then into the forest, where we sit and blissfully 'forest bathe' for a while.

Afterward, Maryse, Laurel and I go to Driftwood Park (or Eagle Feather Park), where there's a spectacular view of the cloud-shrouded Olympic peaks in the distance.

Ken cooks a spectacular Japanese-themed dinner.

Tuesday 11 Mar

I've had some sciatica and lower back discomfort, so Ken offers to give me a massage; he's trained in that. This turns out to be Rolfing-style: elbows, pressure, pain levels averaging 4-6 out of 10. I'm sore for a couple of days, but I think it helps.

We go to the Price Sculpture Forest, which has a couple of new things since I was there last.

It was wonderful to see Laurel and Ken. We say goodbye and drive to SeaTac, which goes smoothly except Google sends us on a toll road and I get a $10 service charge from the rental company later.