Reason 20: Alaska Airlines, baggage collection in 20 minutes

I do think this is a selling point, that air travellers are promised to be able to collect their baggage at carousel in 20 minutes after the airplane door opens.  And to date, in my two and half years of air travel total of 58 flights with Alaska Airlines, it has happened only once that I am not able to get my baggage within 20 minutes.

Here's the promise from Alaska Airlines:
====
If your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane's arrival at the gate, we'll offer you a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlinesflight, or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ bonus miles.
====

Why do I think this is impressive?  Well, I used to fly with Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, and I have flown with several other airlines too, awaiting baggage at the carousel is not something fun at all.

Salut, Alaska Airlines!

Reason 19: Splitting Bill? Sure, no problem

It really opened my eyes when I discovered the easy-going Splitting Bill thingy in restaurants.

"That's truly amazing and wonderful!" I said to my inner self.

Back in Melbourne, we do split bills but in a way like we do our own calculations find out our individual share of cost, and then put money on the table, then the "table manager", usually the one who talks the most or the one who doesn't have cash in the wallet, will collect all the money and pay the bill.

As I had been splitting bills like this for my entire life, I used to think that was the norm, until....... the magic door to hassle-less splitting bill opened!

Now, I go out to restaurants with friends and co-workers, eat, drink, share food, share stories, share good time, when it comes to the bill payment, we pay individually, either splitting bill evenly, or pay for our own food.

Isn't it wonderful?????!!!!!!

Reason 18: Jasper can shop his own birthday presents

You may have noted by now that I love my fury baby boy to the level that I am ready to do anything for him.

By now, you probably would not be surprised that how over the moon I was when I learnt that Jasper was welcome in a pet shop shopping for his own birthday presents!!!!!!!

Yes, that was how he got his new birthday toys.

We were like, in the pet store, his human brother and sister were busy showing him the potential toys they thought he might enjoy, squishy-swishy froggy, fluffy-plushy teddy, chewy- screwy monkey.... Jasper was like, examined the toys with his wise eyes, tasted the toys with his superior nose, giving his approval or dis-approval with his remarkable body language: Yes, this is good;  No, I don't want that....

After 30 minutes or so, we singled out 3 toys from a dozen.

That evening, who was the happiest in the family?  ME!!!!!  Because seeing my baby boy playing with his new toys makes me stupendously happy!!!!!!

Reason 17: Walking Trail for lazy afternoons: Cedar River Trail@Renton

I took the 3 kids to Cedar River Park for exploring the Offleash park, and discovered this walking trail.


Immediately I fell in love with this pleasant, peaceful and easy walking trail.  It reminds me of Anniversary Trail back in Melbourne where is very close to our home.

Unlike Issaquah Offleash Park,  Cedar River Offleash Park is flat and even, there are a few young trees which will grow tall and big one day to provide some shade.


Jasper loves this park, he had a ball!

We love the trail, it's sooo perfect for a lazy afternoon stroll, here we can have chats and conversations, without worrying the background noise.  Trees on both sides provide shade, so even in the warm afternoon, it's still cool and pleasant.



 


(Anniversary Trail in Melbourne Australia)

Reason 16: WA-17N --> Park Lake Rd NE in Coulee, a distant cousin of Great Ocean Road

This is not really in Seattle Metro Area, but within 3hrs' reach.

If you haven't been to Coulee WA, please do organize a day trip there.  If you love to feast your eyes on rolling mountains and massive greens, you would love the special treat of Rocks and Lakes in Coulee......

The road trip to Coulee / Dry Falls from Seattle via I-90 is scenery, the last section of the road reminds me of Great Ocean Road back home (Victoria Australia).  I shall re-visit this place over and over again.....



 
(WA-17N --> Park Lake Rd NE in Coulee)

vs

 
(Great Ocean Road)



 
(Dry Falls)


(Overlooking Columbia River)

Reason 15: Free Toys in Offleash Park

Peek-a-Boo, I see you!  I see free balls and Frisbee in the offleash park.  These are provided by either council or the local community.  They are quite camouflaged in the grass, can you spot them?

Reason 14, Mt Rainier, you are sooooooo magnificent!

I admit that my geography knowledge which most people think "common sense" isn't common sense to me.

I made extra effort to map Mt Rainier out and gained acquaintance with her.

So, here is the Mt. Rainier, the mountain that I see in the distance everyday on the way to work and home.  I admire her beauty every time when I see her.

When other bus commuters are busy with their books and phones, I look outside of the windows, for the lakes, the green in the distance, and her, Mt Rainier, make the bus journey scenery.

On one bus commute, my next-seat neighbor, she turned her phone on, and captured a picture of Mt Rainier.  I was so glad when she did it, for there was someone else think it was a special moment.