Last Days in Seattle

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Seattle has been giving us a fantastic sendoff. Usually the weather in late May and June can be depressing because it can be wet when you want Summer to start. This year the weather during that period has been fantastic. We've had a lot of good times outdoors.

On May 23 the Eastgate Cycling Club held a farewell ride in my honor. It turned out to be a short ride but then we all went to the Islander Restaurant on Mercer Island, which is owned by fellow Eastgate member Brian Patton. We had a great time hanging out in the sun. Bryce was even kind enough to go get donuts for Audrey & Charlotte.

I've written a lot about cycling exploits with members of the Eastgate club. I've been riding with them since 2002 and I have really, really loved it. Faster riders have joined and transformed the club since I first joined, and I have learned a lot and really expanded the limits of my conditioning by riding with them. Thanks especially to Scott Sensenbrenner for holding the club together all these years (for at least 10 years before I showed up). I'll miss you all.

On a different day we had Britt, Ken, Ian and Kaia over for breakfast. We hiked down to Alki Beach midday and the kids got to play in the forest and at the beach. Then we came back home and the kids were having such a great time that everybody stayed for lunch and then dinner. A very fun day. We'll miss them, too!

Our families have been wonderful babysitters and Audrey and Charlotte love to be with all of the aunts, uncles and grandparents. Aunt Betsy got in the habit of taking the girls for a few hours every Friday evening so Carol and I have had very regular date nights. We are really going to miss that.