The day began watching a professional class at Pacific Northwest Ballet . While I’ve viewed many classes, the dancers never fail to impress me with their flexibility, grace, and athleticism. Seemingly effortlessly, they get into positions I wouldn’t have been able to manage, even at age 5.
Usually, Seattle is gray, misty, and overcast. But yesterday the weather was perfect—blue, cloudless skies. It was the perfect opportunity to go to the top of the Space Needle. The view was glorious. Mount Rainier is ninety miles from Seattle and though I’ve been in the city dozens of times, I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve seen it. Yesterday, from the Space Needle viewing platform, it felt as though I could reach out and touch it.
Seattle is divided in half by the Lake Washington Ship Canal, which connects Lake Washington to Puget Sound. From ground level, it’s clear the city is on water, but this divide isn’t visible. From up high, the geography is unmistakable. The traffic on the water, ferries, cargo ships, pleasure boats and more, was constant.
There are two levels of viewing platforms. The upper level is open to the elements (though protected by glass walls. The lower level is a rotating platform. Seated with a drink in hand, the scenery changed moment by moment. I sat for a long time nursing a drink and drinking in the view.