NWOutdoorGrrl

When the road to Paradise isn’t scheduled to open until 11:30 a.m., it’s time to change plans. Rampart Ridge isn’t nearly as exciting, but at least the drive to Rainier wasn’t wasted. We even got a peek of a view from the ridge.

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Since Christmas, I’ve made a batch of adzuki-squash soup, a pot of cauliflower-tomato soup, and a whole mess of garbanzo beans without mishap. Cooking with a pressure cooker is surprisingly easy and uneventful.

(For best picture viewing, click on the “FS” button in the bottom right corner. “SL” runs an automatic slideshow. Clicking on the “i” in the upper right hand corner gives you more information about the picture.)

For something upwards of 60 years, Seattle boats have been stringing Christmas lights and going on parade all over Lake Washington, Lake Union, and other Puget Sound waterways. We’ve seen the ships from shore before, but last night our friend Dale invited us to join him IN the parade.

We assembled with hundreds of other boats in Portage Bay at about 9 p.m. for the finale of the month-long tradition. About the time we thought the bay couldn’t fit any more boats, Argosy’s Spirit of Seattle (the lead Christmas ship) muscled her way into the middle of the crowd (with the help of a police escort, naturally). The Seattle Girls’ Choir – Prime Voci was being broadcast across the water and we all enjoyed the Christmas atmosphere.

An announcer on the Spirit of Seattle invited everyone to join the choir in their final song before the parade and voices echoed across the water in a slightly eerie version of Silent Night.

What followed was a bit of a crazy rush-hour on the water, as we all attempted to squeeze under the University Bridge out to Lake Union. Once out on the lake, we toured the shoreline, enjoying the lights on houseboats and the cool night breeze. When we arrived back at Gasworks Park, we could see that Kite Hill was packed with people waiting to hear the Seattle Girls Choir perform their second set. Seeing the hundreds of boats lit up with lights, the crowds on shore, and the people in costume on their boats made me totally appreciate and love what a wonderful place we live in.

After the performance, we docked at Ivars for a quick pint before heading for the marina. If I get a chance to go again next year, you bet I’ll be there! Thanks Dale!