Back in Tacoma, and it actually wasn't raining for once! So we decided to head out for a drive to Orting - a little town outside of Tacoma where they were having their annual Daffodil carnival/parade. We had lunch in a little diner and a walk along the river before driving further up the mountain to a little town with odd old brick/kilns on the outskirts of the forest and old, abandoned railways tracks heading deep into the forest.

We then drove back to Orting to join the crowds and watch the procession of floats, marching bands and small ponies dressed as fairies...

The next morning we were up early and off to Seattle for the day. The weather was grey but dry and Mount Rainier threatened to finally show itself off to me, rather than just its' base and cloud. We parked up and walked along the waterfront and had clam chowder and calamari at one of the famous waterfront restaurants. Then we walked into town to the old market and saw the original Starbucks. Then we headed to the Space Needle and the new EMP Museum with it bizarre architecture of swirling lines and metallic yellows, pinks and blues. From there we went to the sculpture park and walked back along the water and then for some food. After dark the city becomes a bit shady and not as friendly as it seems during the day, so we decided to head back. We drove out past the Boeing factories and headed towards a lake where we stopped for some beers and a quiet hour doing not much.

And then it was my final day in Tacoma. We went to a few retail outlets and I had a good spend-up in Old Navy. That afternoon we went for a walk in the nearby park and then headed home so I could pack. And that was it. My west coast visit was over. The next morning I was flying to New York City for my final few days. The rain had been kinder to us over the last few days and it was great to see some little towns and Seattle.

But I never did see that damn mountain...