Sunday, December 29, 2013

The McVay's come to town

"True friendship isn't about being inseparable, it's about being separated and nothing changes."

This quote belongs to two of my best friends Kit and Andie. As noted in a previous post, I have known Kit and Andie from high school and on to college. These two are on my list of favorites and have remained so through many moves and many states separating us. They have seen me through many times in my life and I am so blessed to call them not only my friends but my family.

Previously this year I was able to go visit Andie while Kit was deployed. I had an absolute blast and left with the promise that both Kit and Andie would come visit my new home in Washington when time was available. However how it normally goes time and money are never enough and it appeared I would have to wait until May 2014 for our Europe trip to be able to see my friends. Andie only had so many vacation days and with so much family desiring to see their deployed soldier and wife, I can only but understand why I would have to wait.

Lucky for me Veteran's weekend brought a window of opportunity. Kit and Andie called me asking if I could handle one whirlwind of a trip. Friday they would fly in, Saturday and Sunday we would paint the town, and Monday they would fly home. Are you kidding me? Whirlwind is my specialty!

Saturday

Everyone who visits must see the touristy parts of the city, it's a requirement. If you haven't seen Pike's Place then you haven't really been to Seattle then have you? So Saturday morning we headed off to Pike's Place.

Ready to begin our tour
Only Andie would find a way to make this angle flattering

 We saw it all; the gum wall, flowers, jewelry, clothes, fish and more fish, paintings, pan handlers, musicians. You name it, it's probably in Pike's Place.

Then we made our way down to the Space Needle. They felt so guilty about making me see the space needle for 3rd time they even paid!

We found someone to snap a photo of all three of us

 You would be surprised how quickly a tour of the city goes, so then we moved along and I showed them my first home in the neighborhood of Fremont. This neighborhood has so many things to offer from views, trolls, food, to amazing breweries. So of course I showed them all of it!


Perfect!

Of course Kit did everything he could to freak Andie out. He was convinced that if the bridge went up he would be safe here!
Shawn finally got off work and met us for an incredible beer at Fremont Brewery

Sunday

When you come visit me two things are required; 1) you visit Pike's Place 2) You must go on a hike. The city is an incredible place to be however it doesn't even come close to the beauty you find when you go into the mountains. To truly understand why I love Seattle so much you have to venture outside it's borders.

By request we went to Rattlesnake Ledge a 3 mile hike 45 minutes outside of town. It offers a scenic hike with a view that cannot be beat.



Ready to begin our hike!


Grrrr

Now here you See an "Andie" in her natural environment
Made it to the top, a little cloudy but still breath taking!

Brave Andie!










































To reward ourselves at the end of the day we had what any true American has when they are exhausted and starving. Pizza and Beer!






Having Kit and Andie come to visit was such blessing. When you have friends like these two, you take every opportunity you can to see and enjoy their presence.

See you guys in May!!





"The friendship between a man and a woman which does not lead to marriage or desire for marriage may be a life long experience of the greatest value to themselves and to all their circle of acquaintance and of activity; but for this type of friendship both a rare man and a rare woman are needed. Perhaps it should be added that either the man or the woman thus deeply bound in lifelong friendship who seeks marriage must find a still rarer man or woman to wed, to make such a three cornered comradeship a permanent success"