The Longest Day

Seattle pics, Vancouver pics

Some pics to tide you over until I can get a proper entry filed for the trip — finally got the Internet working in the hotel. This was the longest day, though — in British Columbia, dawn broke at about 5 am and dusk was at 10 pm. Saw the dragon boat races, visited Chinatown’s night market, and toured the Canada Center. And, by the way Seattle, all is forgiven.

Too Much Tech

For someone who makes one’s daily bread from technology, I have to say Seattle just has over done it with tech. This morning, at my hotel, they had a waffle maker that had a computer controlled self-timer! (The microwave, hot water heater and toasters were not working because the circuit breaker had blown, however). The GPS in the rental car was kind of flaky — making hairpin turns and all. We couldn’t figure out how to get the garage door open until this morning.

Otherwise, Seattle is so far pleasant. It’s hot but not humid. Got all you can eat smoked salmon — yum! Will check out Pike’s Market for lunch and the new Sci Fi museum later today.

Chasing the Sun

I’m running after the fleeting twilight on my way to Seattle. It’s been like this for the last four hours: us extending the sunset at 35,000 feet. We passed by a thundercloud somewhere over the Pennsylvanian countryside. Seeing the real thing face to face is so much more dramatic than what is seen in the movies or perhaps the Twilight Zone.

For the next 3 hours afterwards, the characteristic rich orange hues dominated the sky. You could easily see what Ronald Reagan found so appealing in his sunset funeral.

Now the darkness dominates as we duck into a dozen clouds. Yet as the sky dims, the ground lights up with its own orange glow of street slights. Near, you can make out the details of the ground; far, the lights become a string of light, then whisps of orange filaments.