A Visit From an East Coast Niece

The First Wife and Grumpy were blessed this past week by a visit with Nephew David's wife, Julie. Grumpy had met and visited with her and David when Uncle Bob and he flew up from AL a couple of times in the past few years. But the First Wife, and the local members of the Z Tribe, had not met her, nor known the pleasure of her company.

The first opportunity to visit was at a local Chinese eatery, where Grumpy was again unsuccessful in convincing a knowledgeable vegetarian that Buffalo meat is really vegetarian -- Buffalo eat only grass! That makes them vegetarian -- doesn't it? Our Guest Niece ordered a Vegetarian Chow Yuk (a terrible-sounding name for a very nutritious and delicious mix of vegetables in a light white sauce. The Mermaid Father ordered "Orange Chicken" -- Lemon Chicken ["Well, it looks orange to me!" he opined.]. Resident Grandson ordered Crispy Beef -- a spicy, tasty dish that Grumpy could enjoy, too! First Wife ordered Sugar Pea Pods. BoPop ordered vegetarian fried rice to round out our family-style menu.

On Friday we took a short auto tour, with breakfast at the Black Diamond Bakery, with the added hope that the clouds would part for a stunning view of Mt. Rainier. Ah--'twas not to be. Actually, the best view was a couple days before as we drove from downtown toward our Chinese dinner date; there was 14,411 foot Mt. Rainier towering above near-sea-level Kent Valley!

From Black Diamond we drove over Tiger Pass to Snoqualmie Falls where Grumpy and Julie took the short hike to the viewing area for some photos of the Falls in fairly good photogenic splendor. There was no sunshine at this time, so no rainbows to capture. Julie took the only photos as Grumpy inexplicably forgot to even bring his camera along on this trip!

Next we drove the long way to Ivar's Salmon House -- via Kirkland, Juanita, Bothell and Lake City. At Ivar's Julie and Grumpy enjoyed the Alder grilled Sockeye salmon while First wife had a spinach salad which she declared was the best in the West!

This was a short day necessitated by the need for Julie to pack her things for an early flight next day back home to North Carolina. Those of us who met her were happy for this opportunity; those who didn't don't know what they missed. However, she did suggest that she wants to return again someday for a longer visit and more salmon -- and might even bring David along! Then more of the Z Tribe will get to meet and visit!