Ferry Boats and Bainbridge Island

How could we be in Seattle and not take one of the ferry boats? So we did on our last day just before flying home to Claremont. There's something quite romantic about them - they just look so stately as they move along. It's pretty cold out in the open deck although you do get a great view of downtown Seattle. And while it may look romantic on TV when people lean over the railing to look at the ocean, the cold chilly sea wind brings you back to reality pretty fast and you're soon scurrying back indoors where it's nice and warm!

This is what E does when you tell her to smile for the camera! Aiyoh.

Our destination was Bainbridge Island - not much to do there, although after driving around for a while we managed to find the Fay Bainbridge State Park, where you get a really pretty view. I think E was waving at some ducks.

It wasn't easy, but J managed to get over his whining about walking on the sand and rocks for a little while to practice his balancing skills.

So that was Seattle for us, pretty much. Our plane landed in LA around nine-plus at night, E fell asleep in the car on the drive back, and I managed to change her into her PJs without her waking up when we got home. J, on the other hand, was really high, chanting and singing on the way back. But he too finally fell asleep a little while after we got back. And then we both collapsed from exhaustion too.

The Seattle trip was quite a reality check for us - now we really understand what it'll take for us to fly with the kids. The work that's involved! So we're going to be taking a hiatus from flights and will try another road trip in a couple of weeks' time. San Francisco's next.