Notes From the Road (Suzanne Forster)

Technically, I’m not on the road right now. It just feels like it. It’s late and I’m pooped, having just arrived at my final destination after a glorious few days in Seattle, basking in some of the best weather I can remember in wet and wild Washington State. It’s clear why people are migrating here in droves. Anyone who visits the Pacific Northwest this time of year would never want to leave … until the rains start.

But I learned an interesting factoid on a Puget Sound harbor cruise this weekend. Seattle is not the leading city in precipitation. Among others, New York and Miami are wetter. The thing about Seattle is that while it rains less, it rains longer, nearly nine months out of the year. Jodi, the cruise’s tour guide described it as drizzle. Seattle drizzles. All of western Washington drizzles. That’s why it’s so gorgeous when the drizzling stops and the sun comes out.

What I loved most about Seattle this trip, aside from the always bustling and colorful Pike’s Place Market, where the fishmongers throw freshly caught fish to each other—and the customers—and historic Pioneer Square, where they were setting up for a Firefighters’ Challenge (which I couldn’t stay to see, darnit) were the flowers.

Flowers! Really, I thought I was in the Garden of Eden. On every street, window boxes and hanging plants overflowed with lush greenery and brilliant blooms. It was impossible not inhale all you could get of the balmy, lightly perfumed air. The skies were crystalline blue and seemingly infinite, and best of all, there was no perceptible humidity and no bugs! Sounds like the definition of Paradise, doesn’t it.

Although I’m not sure the city fathers would appreciate it, I’ve come to think of Seattle as the City of Smells. You all know about the coffee, I’m sure. Next week, after I’ve caught up on my sleep, I’ll be back with a real trip report that goes into all the various sights and smells of Seattle, including the musty, labyrinthine book stores that line the streets of Pioneer Square and the mysterious cartography shop that I have plans to put in an upcoming story.

Right now I’d better power down the computer and head for bed, or I’ll be typing in my sleep. Road notes to be continued…

Suz