Flying

Just got back from a 4 day trip.

Had a long layover in downtown Denver on Halloween night. At one bar, I met a man who was not only a professor, but a Bush-bashing NRA-loving Athiest Republican. Plus, he was dressed as Charlie Brown.

What a conversation we had.

Went shopping along 16th Street Mall in Denver and found another cool bookstore called Tattered Cover. Bought I Capture the Castle. I'd seen the movie and loved it, and am enjoying the book so much more. As always. In Seattle, I found a radical-based bookstore called Left Bank Books in downtown which was fun to walk through. Bought an old British publication of To Kill a Mockingbird. I've decided that on my long layovers I will go out in search of independent bookstores, buy a book and write inside the cover the details of my trip. So much more interesting than postcards, teaspoons and shot glasses in the long run.

While in Seattle, visited the original Starbucks (one on every corner, Claire!) and Pike St. Market where I had a large salmon nearly slap my face as it soared between the hands of overall-wearing workers. It even rained a bit on me! I believe I was the only one happy about this in the crowd.

It was in Seattle where I felt the first real impact of being suddenly in a place I'd never been before. (From ocean to ocean in a day!) I think it might be because I've always wanted to visit the northwest. As I looked from harbor to skyline and up up up long, tall streets that seemed to reach the heights of the financial district skyscrapers, I felt a bit overwhelmed and excited and out of breath.

Tomorrow I have a Newark to Dallas to Houston and back to Newark turn. Then, Monday I have off! Heading to NYC for the day. First item on my Things To See And Do In NYC Checklist: Library card from the New York City Library.