My current theory is that this stint in London is providentially designed to give Seattle time to catch up to where I’d like it to be if I’m going to live there. The best development so far is Amy’s move from DC to Olympia. This means I get to see even more of my favorite people when I’m back.

Last Sunday was our first chance since her move. Justin and I started with an early Pride-slash-going-away breakfast hosted by our friend Dave who is moving to Pullman to be closer to his fiance, and then skipped the rest of Seattle Pride to drive down to Olympia to see Amy’s new house and go for a hike through the Nisqually Nature Reserve.

The reserve is a broad estuary that feeds into the Puget Sound and attracts a diversity of wildlife, especially birds. It had been diked and farmed in the 19th and early 20th Centuries, but now the dikes have been removed and the land restored to its original natural state. The long, winding boardwalk took us out over the marshy flats and tidal pools.

The skies were clear, and we clearly weren’t the only ones to take pleasure in basking in the sun’s glorious warmth…

The “hike” was more properly a “walk”, but it was no less delightful for being easy. We caught up on each others’ lives and watched the tide roll in, and then made our way back to the cars, fried pickles at the local tribal cafe, and then home.