Second week of Lent 2008

Riding a ferry on a sunny day; when it's a day out of the office and with family; is next to a perfect living prayer experience.

We took the Vashon ferry early Friday morning; landed in Vashon in time to have a mid-morning coffee with the locals at our favorite Vashon coffee house - Cafe Luna. One gentlemen was the elder we all know is there; hanging on the edges, often unnoticed but ready to engage in social time if someone gives the chance. I even ran into a colleague from a peer research lab; who Memphis noticed due to some cool stuff on his laptop screen. Remote work from Vashon Island - nice!

Next stop was the long pier on Dockton Road SW, on the way to Pt. Robinson. This is one of those go forever piers you just have to run to the end of - and I did. It's the crazy thing about Vashon Island; it's close to Seattle but once you're there [and say running a long pier] it feels like a 700 miles away; another place and time.

Next stop was Pt. Robinson beach and lighthouse. Please understand Northwest beaches are an acquired aesthetic; not endless sand you might find during one of our Mexico vacations. Instead the beaches are rocky; the water is cold; driftwood is scattered about. We brought along rubber boots to wade in the Puget Sound; and extra clothes for Memphis [who always seems to get wet at a beach, no matter how much we try to prevent it]. The girls found sea shells and stones for our home collection while I wrote, watched the water and clouds; stood in complete bliss filled with all the love from such a lovely day. At one point Deborah decided she had to have a large sea shell [or so it seemed - think optical illusion underwater] about 7 yards off the edge of the water. It was too far out to walk for; deeper than her rubber boots; she ended up using a long driftwood pole to scratch it back toward shore. Memphis and I watched in calm admiration; determination is a wonderful thing to witness. She finally got her large sea shell; which ended up being smaller than the shells we already collected. Probably a life lesson in there [or underwater].

Next stop was the south end of the island, to catch the Tahlequah ferry to Tacoma and Pt. Defiance Zoo. But wait, the ferry crew is taking lunch, next ferry is 1.5 hours away! We're all hungry and that's too long to wait while you're hungry [try it with Memphis next time you take care of her; and live to talk about it]. We wandered back to Vashon central and ordered up some fish and chips with a milkshake. By this time the sunroof was open; the music was on full tilt, it was good getting better by the minute. Stocked with tasty road trip treats we headed back to the Tahlequah ferry stop. We made it in time to sit and eat lunch treats, listen to music, be silly. Also called Pt. Defiance Zoo and found out they were closing at 4Pm; hence no zoo trip today. Oh well, we'll try the Tacoma Art Museum instead. The ferry arrived, we boarded and headed for Tacoma. I stood at the front of this small ferry; believe it was the "Evergreen State", and took in the lovely weather and view; prayed some more.

Next stop was the Tacoma Art Museum, via a tour of north Tacoma. What a sweet neighborhood; rivals our best neighborhoods in Seattle [or at least those neighborhoods people seem to be fighting over with their wallets and attitude]. The Tacoma Art Museum featured an exhibit of Auguste Renoir print work - wow! And the facility is [to my eyes and senses] nicer than SAM. The girls ended up in the workshop room; where they worked on quilted blocks, pastel chalk sketches. Again I was seduced by the sky and clouds.

Next stop was the city park near the museum. It's under construction but enough is there to play, run, swing, be silly again. They also have a conservatory on a hill above the park that's a lovely add to an already sweet public space.

Next stop was a local coffee shop next to a tatoo parlor. Nice play; good coffee. I needed a jolt for the drive back to Seattle.

There's a lot more detail to add; let's leave it at we had a fabulous day. What is Lent? It's reflecting on why God loves us; and how we transform this into love for others. Yesterday I didn't have to think about it; the day [and God's love] took care of us as we took care of each other.

Remind me to tell you about the lunar eclipse. Con paz,

frank