I am sitting in the SeaTac Airport waiting for my re-eye flight back to Florida. The past few days have sped by and each has been filled with time spent with my friends I will always cherish.

OK, it sounds very "Hallmark", but it's true.

Today we slept in a little and then made our way to a restaurant I had seen featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives". It is called Voula's Waterfront Grill. It is set along side the water in the college district of town not far from where we had gone to see "Ironman" the day before. If we had known we were this close before we might have opted to go then as the service is VERY laid back and not really the best for little children. Or, at leas the little balls of energy we had with us. I was disappointed that Voula herself was not there. From what I had seen on TV she is half the fun of going there. The other half is the food...and it is terrific. I had a Greek Hobo; which is an egg scramble with Greek sausage, hash browns, onion and feta cheese. Delicious!!!

After that we took a ferry to Bainbridge across Puget Sound. Jason and the family kept inside where is was warm and not as windy. On the return trip I was on the bow with the icy wind blowing in my face. As we made our way across the Sound, seagulls kept pace with the ferry racing along with us like feathered fighter escorts. It reminded me of the hours I spent on Oakland Beach back home; walking the beaches in the dead of winter.

The one thing I will not miss about Seattle is the hills. Steep inclines are everywhere. There were some of these I did with 2 year old Benjamin on my shoulders. This weekend has been quite the workout!

The city looked better from the water than it does walking the streets. Most of downtown is unremarkable. But, from the water with the mountains as a backdrop the city loks gorgeous. Without having my friends to come visit, I am not sure if I would have ever come here on my own but I'm glad I did.

My goodbyes with them was short and sweet and I didn't get the chance to tell them how much I really apprecate them and all they have done for me. I know, with some friendships you really don't have to but, as I get older, I feel the need to vocalize my emotions more and more.