Vashon, Salsa and Greenlake

It's been a fun few days. The weather has been stunning, so Thursday I loaded up Abagail (my precious angel dog) and FINALLY took the 15-minute ferry ride to Vashon Island. Vashon sits in Puget Sound very easily accessible from West Seattle where I live, or on it's southern end, super easy to Tacoma. I'd never been there, and thought it was about time.
Back in the day when I was selling real estate in Anchorage, one of my best clients (actually my best client) who died too young last year, used to tell me he wanted to retire on Vashon. Now I see why. There's not much there, but it's beautiful. A quaint little downtown has a few funky cool stores and a few restaurants. I saw a sign for "the best cheeseburger on the island" in front of a little place, so as I was proceeding to tie Abbey up to go in, the owner came out and told me just to bring her in! He gave her water, and indeed I had a good burger and diet Dr. Pepper for $4.90. After that we drove around the island, first stopping at Robinson Point to see the lighthouse and walk the beach. Mt. Rainier was totally in our face, framed by blue sky. Vashon is made up of little farms inland, and darling seaside cottages on the water. I can see why my friend wanted to retire there. Perhaps I will, too. It would honor him....he was my friend, too.
Now, today, my new friend Mira, and I, started a six-week course of Salsa lessons at Sonny Newman Dance Studio in Greenwood where she lives. I got us a hell of a deal on this - $35 for six weeks! What a blast! I've taken Salsa before, so I know it pretty well. But our instructor, Johnny, is a ball of fire! He had us moving fast and it felt great! Really, really energetic. I took a few Salsa classes at another dance place in Seattle, but the instructor spent way too much time talking about the dance, and herself. Heck, I just want to dance! And dance we did. Johnny rocks!
After class, since it was such a great gorgeous day, Mira and I walked all the way around Green Lake, about 2 miles. What a beautiful walk! People were fishing, lovers kissing, dogs smiling, and a guy in a skunk suit (that's right) flew by on in line skates. Too cool. After that we hit the Green Lake Bar and Grill - made happy hour, and had killer salmon burgers and salad, and 2 drinks each for $40 total including tip! Life is not so bad after all, even though it presents it's challenges.