Last week, I visited my sister for the first time since she moved up to Washington last fall. We had fun playing tourist: Stepped off the plane and drove through downtown Seattle. We went to the Museum of Pop Culture, with exhibits on music, TV (e.g., Star Trek, Dr. Who, Lost in Space), fantasy, horror, science fiction … The entrance is right next to the Space Needle, which is undergoing some construction. Appropriate, given that the Needle featured prominently in Defiance, an excellent example of science fiction TV that was sadly ignored in the museum (at least I saw no wax figures of Grant Bowler or ephemera from the series).

We took the ferry to Whidbey Island, where we went wine and whisky tasting, walked on the beach and saw bald eagles and white (yes, white, not albino) deer. We also had a delicious dinner at a hidden gem of a restaurant that only locals would ever be able to find unless you knew it was there: Roaming Radish. We drove on dirt roads to find the place, and the only sign—low to the ground near the turn—was facing the opposite direction from how we were coming. When I asked for the cheese burger without the meat, the chef came out to the table and offered to make me an off-the-menu tofu burger instead. I’ve never had tofu seasoned to such perfection!

I also saw friends (great to see you, Carri and Chris! And so glad to finally meet Mars!) and celebrated my nephew’s 17th birthday.

All in drizzle or pouring rain … Had a blast!