When we landed and walked out of the building for the rental shuttle, a bit chilly rain greeted us in the darkness. By the time when the car was ready, it was 11:20 pm. The rain began to pour, and the windshield wipers were set at the fastest speed. Busy as they were swaying from side to side, the front window was still a bit blurry. My husband was driving on his nerves, his hands gripping tight at the wheel, cursing at the bad visibility and the weather. It was midnight when we reached the apartment.
The next morning was Thanksgiving, still rainy. However gloomy the sky was, we were in a good mood. My daughter took us first to a college campus, then to a trail by the lake. In the afternoon, we went to Snoqualmie Falls, where the TV series Twin Peaks were shot. Everywhere we went, the air was clean and crisp, and the scenery was beautiful. The fall is like a magical painting brush that touches with strokes from its palette the hues of colors, rich and varied, to the trees with fiery red, shining gold, vibrant orange, or lush green. The lake, shrouded in the misty drizzle, was dark but peaceful. The trail, flanked by tall slender trees on the sides, were carpeted with thick soft leaves. For more than once we stood beneath the trees, watching the golden leaves swirling in the breeze from the top of the branches to the ground, silently. For the moment, time seemed frozen and still. My daughter later pointed to a dim distance, telling us that on a clear day, the Rainer Mountain capped in snow was visible from here.
The next three days found us visiting residential areas and farmland, hiking the trails again, and driving around the island, and to the mountainous areas. Most homes in the cities look old but pricey. Driving around the rich island gave us a glimpse of where affluent people like Bill Gates or Jeff Bezos could possibly reside. The highlight of our trip was a visit to a city called Leavenworth. Nestled in the mountainous area, it was a German- styled town. Thousands of Christmas lights in varied colors (i.e. eye-catching purple) were decorated on the towering Christmas trees, twinkling and exuding a Christmas festive atmosphere in the air, accompanied by the live joyful music played from the pavilion. We spent hours shopping, eating and strolling around the small town, before heading to a famous trail close by.
The trail was closed unfortunately, but the views along the way were stunning. The rivers were in one place placid and gem green, and in a few yards away, they turned into white waves plunging and crashing downward. The mountains were mostly bare dark green, contrasted with the white top frosted in snow. Falls, big or small, were spotted here and there, cascading down like white curtains or meandering through like streams.
Seattle winter reminded me of the similar seasons in my hometown in China, where it was just as cold and cloudy, yet charming like a misty young lady.
Traveling from the sunny coast to rainy port cities, we have witnessed the nature’s differences, and the splendors it bestows upon us, rain or shine. Blessed is our life and everyone's, in the hand of God and its creation, for which we are eternally thankful.
過來再讀一篇暖冬的英文,寫得真好,要向你學習用英文寫作!:)
我們去年10月第二次去西雅圖旅行,最後一天出來太陽。
你家LD說的有道理,但孩子大了,有自己的學業、工作,由不得人啊。
照片很美,
是啊,希望她們在我們radar上,可以常常掃到,但不去控製,這樣就很好了,
孩子們性格不同,各有所長,也各有其短。你的女兒重情懂事有頭腦,才剛剛畢業就到外州獨立工作,這是新的嚐試,冬夏MM不必擔心她不成熟。隨著時間和事情的曆練,孩子定會越來越棒的。你就放寬心等著看好吧,再次祝福!!!
短短的四天,冬夏MM收獲不小。探望了女兒,又欣賞了大自然。祝福你們全家!
看到你家LD對女孩子的感慨,我不由得笑出聲來。我家LD也曾說過類似這樣的話。可女兒大了,由不得家長的心意。學習,工作,交朋友,談婚論嫁,可能哪樣都得自己做主。我現在隻能是該說的還得變著方兒的說出來,孩子不聽,我也沒轍 :):)
能和女兒度過美好時光是最重要的,其他的都是次要的。
暖冬周末快樂!
> “女孩子家,離家近點,找個好老公,完了”
What wisdom! ;-)
I'd love to visit the Bruce Lee museum in downtown Seattle next time I go there.