{"id":704,"date":"2024-07-12T22:35:03","date_gmt":"2024-07-12T13:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fugutabetai.com\/blog\/?p=704"},"modified":"2024-07-20T19:56:46","modified_gmt":"2024-07-20T10:56:46","slug":"2024-tanaka-evans-summer-vacation-part-one-washington-state","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fugutabetai.com\/blog\/2024\/07\/12\/2024-tanaka-evans-summer-vacation-part-one-washington-state\/","title":{"rendered":"2024 Tanaka-Evans Summer Vacation Part 1: Washington State"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Once again, we take a trip to America in July for the summer, to escape the Tokyo heat, and to give our kids a chance to meet up with the US based cousins. This year we plan to go to four destinations: Washington State, Dallas, DisneyWorld in Orlando Florida, and San Diego. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trouble before we even start<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We had some trouble before we even got started: Lisa was feeling sick on Saturday June 22nd, before we left (Thursday, June 27th) and when she got checked out, it turns out it was COVID. So we isolated her – in the bedroom, we don’t have a big place but at least we could avoid staying in the same room. After talking it out, we decided that I would take the two kids, and Lisa would follow and meet with us on July 3rd, about a week later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the first trip I have ever taken of any kind with both kids – I’ve done trips with Alan overnight, or shorter trips with Momo around Tokyo, but never a long trip with both of them an certainly never an international trip! I was pretty concerned about whether people at the airport would think that I’m trying to kidnap my kids without my wife’s consent, but Lisa didn’t think that would be a big problem. Luckily, nobody at the airport asked, and we were able to get through security without any trouble. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, June 27th<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\"David<\/a>\n<\/div>
Dad sets off with two kids all on his own.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the afternoon after lunch, we all said goodbye to Lisa, and I took the kids to the bus stop. We took the bus to Shinagawa station, and then the Narita Express to Narita. We were at the airport about three hours before departure – 17:40 or so, an evening flight like usual. We would fly direct to Seattle. We had no trouble waiting for the plane, and got on without incident. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Momo fell asleep on the plane pretty quickly, and didn’t end up eating anything. In the past Alan would sleep on the plane also, but he said he wasn’t able to sleep on the plane now, and he wasn’t. I don’t think I’ve been able to sleep on airplanes since about ten years ago – at least not in economy seats – so we both watched movies and read books. I took Momo to the toilet once or twice, but we managed the flight without causing any problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
We all made it on the airplane!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We arrive at Seattle at about 10:30am, which is always a bit of a mind-bender. One of the nice things about Seattle is that you can get through immigration much faster than at places like San Francisco. I think we got through in about fifteen minutes, which is amazing. San Francisco can sometimes take me an hour and half. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We met Dad at the Car Rental facility and rented a car — my dad has been in Seattle for a few days visiting friends — and then headed to the hotel where we were able to check in early. We all got a late lunch \/ early dinner at IHOP — another place I enjoy immensely, though probably only because I go once a year at most — and went back to the hotel. We tried hard to stay awake until 8pm, but the kids dropped off a bit early. I watched the Presidential debate, which didn’t help with trying to keep myself awake. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
IHOP. International when we are there, and pancakes all the time.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Friday, June 28th<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We didn’t have anything planned on Friday, and everyone slept in pretty late. The hotel had a pool though, so guess where we spent a lot of time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
The kids and adults also had a relaxed start to the morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
We spent a lot of time at the hotel pool.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, June 29th<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We had a busy day planned for Saturday, first we met our friends for lunch at Elliot Bay Brewery (I wish I wasn’t driving!) and had a great time visiting with the Other Evans Family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
The Tanaka-Evans family and the Evans Family.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later in the evening I got us tickets to the Seattle Storm vs. Dallas Wings WNBA game, and it happened to be Pride Night. We drove down to downtown Seattle – only about 30 minutes from our Renton hotel, which was faster than I expected – and went to the new Climate Pledge Arena. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
Momo saw the Wheedle up there. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
Momo also liked this piece of art.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We had the cheapest tickets they were selling, and the seats were fine! This was my first WNBA game, and the kids first game as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
These are not bad seats for $25!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
I also realized later that it is hard to talk with people at a professional sports game that isn:t a baseball game.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It was a fun game – the Storm really played well, and won by close to 20 points. The kids both seemed to enjoy the game, and Alan wanted to stay until the end. I think we might try to catch a Wings game in Dallas since it was a fun time. Since it was Pride night there seemed to be a lot of LGBT couples, but I’m kind of curious if that is just general to the WNBA or to Seattle. Hard to tell! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday, June 30th<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We slept in late again, but I’m not going to complain about that on Summer Vacation. On Sunday we planned to meet up with family friends for Brunch in Columbia City. They suggested Geraldine’s Counter<\/a>, so we did that. It was very good. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
A nice brunch!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After brunch, we went to the local park and played around there for a bit. Our friends brought a scooter, which Momo enjoyed a lot, and she made good use of the playground equipment. I had hoped that Alan would talk with Adrien more, but Alan was a bit quiet and didn’t talk much. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
Alan helping Momo with the Scooter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
Lots of time on the swing too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"Ice<\/a>\n<\/div>
Of course Ice Cream is necessary after a good workout at the park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"Ice<\/a>\n<\/div>
I got some as well.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

After the park we got some ice cream – Molly Moons, I remember Jana telling me that they were good. It was good! After that we drove to Woodinville to meet some family friends and my dad. We visited for a few hours, and had a nice dinner in Woodinville. Alan was missing Japanese food so we tried a Japanese place there – Sora Sushi<\/a>. It was nice – and Alan certainly got his Japanese food fix, with Unagi don. I had the Chicken Katsu bento which was good, but there was lots more food than I could finish – a theme for America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"Leavenworth\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
This was too much food. But good!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

We headed back to the hotel after dropping off Dad’s rental car – we will have one rental car for the four (and later five) of us going forward. Back at the hotel we got in more pool time briefly before bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday, July 1st<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On Monday we drove from Renton to Leavenworth. We plan to stay with family friends for two nights who have a very nice place just outside Leavenworth. It’s about a two and a half hour drive, which went pretty fast. We got lunch at McDonald’s and arrived at our friend’s place a bit after noon. Some kids came over and played with Momo, Dad spent some time with Jim, and they fixed up his 1941 Chevrolet Pickup – or at least got it running. I reserved a river Tubing trip for the kids for Tuesday, and we had dinner before turning in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"Leavenworth\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
Some time in the Barbie car.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"Leavenworth\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
Soccer too.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"Leavenworth\"<\/a>\n<\/div>
Nice trucks too. 1941 Chevrolet Pickup.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For dinner we had a nice home-cooked stir-fry, and after staying up a bit talking, went to bed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tuesday, July 2nd<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the morning we drove to Wenatchee for brunch with some acquaintances of my dad – Ms. Dibble, the wife of his high school Math teacher, and one of her daughters. We were a bit early so did some shopping at Target, and then we spent a leisurely hour and half or so visiting over lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After lunch we went to Wenatchee hospital to visit Uncle Butch (dad’s brother) who was there since a week ago he broke the patella in one of his knees when he was out with Dad and Uncle Jay doing something. We visited for a while, and on the way out met Aunt Gwen who was coming in to visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the afternoon I reserved a session tubing down the Wenatchee River for about an hour. Momo was a bit nervous and scared when we hit some of the fast water at the start, but she was enjoying things by the end. Alan was a bit worried and asked to clip his single tube to the double tube that Momo and I were in, but about halfway through the hour long trip he wanted to unclip and go on his own. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
Heading out to the river<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
The kids floating on the river<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
We saw lots of wildlife on the trip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\"2024<\/a>\n<\/div>
I managed to get a selfie<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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