I Thought it was a Crocodile!

The weather today couldn't have been more perfect.

Went out to the waterfront for some extra boring people watching. The people weren't much to watch. Mostly just a bunch of middle-aged, out-of-shape people eating way too much. Americans, basically. We did, however, visit the only beach in downtown Seattle -- a 30 foot stretch of gravel along the hawaii-like 43 degree (6.1 degree C) water. 40+ year olds splashing around. Sexy indeed.

Afterwards, had some drinks with Shaun and his lady friend Jenny at our favorite drink-outside-when-it's-sunny spot -- Kell's. Following that, had some lunch with Nick's parents at Sport's Bar and had a nice chat about Raccoons and Yellow Bellied Marmots (I still don't know what those are BTW).

Cab ride up to N 36th and Freemont to meet up with Pete and Beth (welcome back from Canadia, eh!) for some more drinks before heading over to Gaswork Park for the firework show. I'm not exaggerating when I say there must have been at least 30k people there. I'm not sure who thought it was a good idea to have a giant inflatable head of one of our nation's most treasured symbols of freedom, but I guess nothing says Independence Day like a decapitated Lady Liberty. Oh, and an even better idea was the 10 port-a-potties that were supposed to service all 30k+ people at the park.

On the bright side, the Lake Union firework show was the best ever firework show I've ever seen in my life.

We really didn't think things through when going to watch the fireworks at Lake Union. Most importantly how we were going to get a cab ride amidst the thousands of cars congesting the streets. So we didn't and instead decided to walk. We were a little unsure of which streets exactly to take so Pete consulted his handy road atlas. This, however, is when the scatter-brained "local" decided to be "helpful" and give us "directions" on how to get home.

"Helpful Woman": Hey, what are you looking for?
Beth: Just exactly where we are.
Pete: Seattle Center.
Do any of you speak English?
Jarold: ...
Eric: ...
Matt: ...
Yes.

Then a series of incoherent directons were given followed by us walking away very quickly.

On our ten thousand mile trek home, the members of the speedwalkers club (Pete & Beth) managed to get 30 or so feet in front of us. With a steady stream of cars going along the street, we see that Beth had decided it was a good idea to run into the street. What's going on here? we think. We finally catch up and Pete points out what Beth is running from -- a racoon. Oh, it all makes sense now. Beth was startled by the raccoon!

I saw its white nose which looked like teeth so I thought it was a crocodile!

o_O