Walk To The Lake

We thought you might enjoy going along as we walk the eight short blocks from our house to Lake Washington.  These pictures were taken early in the morning. Someday we'll take pictures when the light is better. 

Starting point

This office complex is across the street from us. The picture is taken from the end of our driveway. 

Apartments and homes are squeezed into tight spaces. These homes are just a few doors from us. 

New house at the end of our block. Towards the end of the house on the second floor you can barely see a spiral staircase that leads to a rooftop deck. 

At the end of our block - heading down Kirkland Avenue. Lake Washington is in the distance. On a clear day you see the Olympic Mountains. 

Single family homes at the end of our block

Moss is everywhere - must have something to do with all the rain!

QFC grocery (owned by Kroger) 

Kirkland Performance Center

This cafe has soup, sandwiches, and pastries.

Community center and pools

 The grandchildren saw this place and suggested that Grandma take lessons. They said it wouldn't take long for Grandma to get a black belt!

Kirkland library & sculpture

Heathman Hotel

Another cafe, more shops & sculpture

 Apartments & condos

Almost to the center of town - Variety of restaurants - Greek & Italian, Japanese/Teriyaki, & "Asian Veg"

One of our favorite places to eat 

Cafe Happy, "Asian Veg Food"

 Downtown - Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street - Lake Washington is at the end of Kirkland Avenue

 Shops, restaurants, hair salons

Olive You Restaurant

Marina Park on Lake Washington

Seattle is across the lake

In the block around the intersection of Lake & Kirkland

Cupcake shop

Many restaurants on both sides of this block

 On the way back home 

 This hill is steeper than it looks

On another walk we'll show you other parts of this wonderful town. Thanks for walking with us!

10 Day Forecast - It's Not As Grim As It Seems

Here's the forecast for the next 10 days in the Seattle area.

Some of you have mentioned you've been checking the weather in Seattle. You might be wondering if we're growing moss or have sprouted web feet yet!

According to local meteorologists, this has been a wet spring even for Seattle. The frequent rain and gray days have produced increased traffic at travel agencies, tanning salons, acupuncture and other services that relieve depression. We haven't been affected. We were told it rains a lot here in the spring - and it has. It's really not as grim as the forecasts would make you think. 

In our month here we've noticed that most of the rainy days are really days with sprinkles off and on sometime during the day. We've seen very few days in which it rained hard even part of the day. 

Our townhouse has so many windows that even the gray, drizzly days aren't dismal. 

So - when you see this kind of forecast, don't feel too sorry for us. We're probably out and about, enjoying this beautiful area. 

**********

PS - Most people don't bother with umbrellas. Several natives told us an umbrella is the sign of an out-of-towner. I am glad that most of my coats and jackets have hoods.  

PPS - We are looking forward to experiencing the sunny, temperate spring, summer and fall days during which the whole area "sparkles," as many locals describe it. 

Sale Pending

Closing date: April 15

We don't know much about the buyers. 

We do know they had preapproval for the loan. Hopefully that means all will go smoothly. 

The Car Is In The Garage

Progress! 

We've unpacked and organized to the point that the car fits into the garage. The second garage now has nine full shelves, treadmill, freezer, 23 boxes of family journals, and other miscellaneous boxes.  Shelves on wheels are a wonderful invention. The next goal is to clear things off the treadmill and from in front of the freezer so they can be used.

The Missoula Todds

Patrick, David and Carol Todd are only 8 hours away from Kirkland. We took advantage of clear mountain passes and drove to Missoula to celebrate David's birthday.

It's a straight shot from Kirkland to Missoula. 

You get on Interstate 90 and drive 475 miles. 

This time of year drivers need to be very aware of road conditions before making this trip. Snoqualmie Pass in Washington,  Fourth of July Pass in Idaho and Lookout Pass on the Idaho-Montana border all can be treacherous. We saw lots of snow on the spectacular mountains; fortunately the roads were totally clear. 

What's The Strangest Thing ...

What's the strangest thing you found as you unpacked? 

Some of you asked this question.

 Well, this has to be it. 

We didn't recognize this item as it emerged from packing paper. 

We examined it closely. The word on the lid didn't mean anything to us. 

We turned it over and were even more puzzled. 

We wondered if it opened. 

Indeed it did. 

This is what we found.

Joe's kidney stones!

Quote from Joe - 

"They may look small 

but they are barbed balls that snag on the walls of the kidneys.

We paid to move this across the country?"

The Moving Van & Aftermath

Kirkland is going to be a fun and interesting place to live. We enjoyed getting used to our new home before the moving van arrived with all our stuff. As we sit here surrounded by boxes, we reflect on that week with just the bare essentials. There's something to be said for living simply and without much stuff! 


The moving van and crew arrived bright and early Saturday morning - or it would have been bright if the sun had been out instead of raindrops. Fortunately the rain stopped part way through the day.

The moving van is here!

Garage #1

 Garage #2

 We unpacked some boxes for the driver to take with him.

 Almost finished.

 Joe checks the van.

 Bushes near our townhouse are filled 
with these beautiful flowers. 

Several days later.

 See our car on the left? 

It's supposed to fit in one of these garages. 

That's a guest parking spot we're using. 

Our goal is to get the car in the garage by the weekend. 

The Christus statue ended up in the middle 

of all the clutter. 

Several thoughts came to mind - 

"Peace be still"

 and

Christ will help us keep focused on 

what's most important.