Zyttende Mai

One of many reasons for living in the PNW is the great celebration of Syttende Mai in Ballard. This year was no different with wonderful weather, an active parade and just a festive atmosphere, surrounded by friends and Norwegians...?!

Beth and I decided to bike and got there just as the parade started. A good 25 mile ride along Lake Washington under sunny skies. Sort of does not get better.

The celebration of Syttende Mai is what the celebration of June 6th should have been in Sweden all along. A fun day of partying and just being happy for ones heritage/nationality. At least when I lived in Sweden, June 6th passed pretty silently and those who wanted to celebrate "I'm Swedish and I'm proud of it" sort of got labeled nationalist and not in the good sense of the word. Hopefully that have changed, but few places are as "happy" as Ballard on Syttende Mai!

Kirkland 5K and Half-Marathon

Very late we decided to join the "race" down at Juanita Beach. Since I wanted to bring Phoebe (dog) the 5K was the most suitable distance and she did really well, even at the start where it was crowded and tons of people with dogs (she can get a tad nervous when there's too much action/crowds).

Just upon entering 98th Avenue I stumbled - badly - fell flat on my stomach, and ripped open my left little finger as well as scraped my right hand and the watch band. But, this caused a small delay and the reward was the priceless showing of an "aerial fight" between a Bald Eagle and a Heron, just over our heads as we ran down Juanita Park Bridge. Had I not fallen, I would have been far past this spot and missed it all.

Truly amazing and yet another reason we we love this place!

Finished in a decent time, pulling dog the last mile, and realized that my finger had been bleeding all the time. My racing bib was nicely blood stained!

All in all, a good Sunday in Kirkland!