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January 18, 2003

Alki Sunset

The winter in Seattle has been entirely decent so far. I had planned on getting soaked at least fifty percent of the mornings on my ten block walk to work. So far only once. The clear air and mild temperatures have made it entirely possible to go outside for walks in Seattle's parks. Yesterday, Estella and I walked along Alki Beach in West Seattle in anticipation of a beautiful sunset. First, with the sun still up in the sky, we saw a great view of downtown Seattle.

Estella watches the setting sun.
The sun went down south of the Olympics, far south of the mid-summer sunset. Yet it splashed the Olympic Mountains in shades of pink and purple and then cast them as a sharp silhouette in deep contrast to the fiery sky above and to the south. Sunlight passing through the atmosphere retains its red wavelength from the perspective of a viewer on the horizon, thus the warm hues of a sunset and sunrise. Clouds reflect the warm colors, appearing as vibrant oriental cushions in the sky. The display was roughly framed below by the Puget Sound as its chop and waves reflected perfectly the anxiousness and anticipation of a Friday night.
Estella and I just took it all in walking back and forth along the path as ferries passed and seagulls took flight. Runners alone and couples together crossed our path, though the number of people out to see the blazing sky was suprisingly small. On our way back to the city side of the point, we were delighted to see the lights of the city and facades of the buildings reflecting the sunset. And as if all this weren't enough, the full moon had just risen over the city! Wow. Plus I had this beautiful, silly, smiley little baby with me the whole time. What a grand time.
Additionally, after our fun in West Seattle, we went back home to mama. Baby was so excited to see her. She let out a shout and a giggle and squeezed me tight with excitement as we walked through the door with mama right there. Before we left, earlier, mama and baby were having fun.

Posted by clappstar at January 18, 2003 12:03 PM