West By Northwest: Day Five

Paul awoke for his first full day in the City of the Big Needle. We spent it on the "nickel tour," using the Bus Route 43, the only route he would ever need -- at least for now. We got from Montlake Station to downtown's famous Pike Street Market in about half an hour. We cruised the shops, watched the salmon being tossed by guys wearing teeshirts saying "Danger: Flying Fish," and got coffee at the original Starbucks.

But the thing that piqued Paul's interest was the proliferation of street musicians and other performers, at places throughout the market district. He talked about it as we took the bus back uptown. We'd have to get a permit, and I told Paul to do the research on it, and we'd do it while we were there. Meanwhile, our bus trip took us past Montlake, to the University District, stopping at University Avenue -- "The Av," as they call it. We rummaged through bookstores and assorted places. Then we got on the bus and headed home.

That night was the whirlwind tour of my cousins and their kids. Little Paul, my three-year-old snow-eating pal, is still cute as a button. His clever remarks in the gymnastics class where we watched him -- "What's wrong with you kids, are you all little babies?" "Yes." -- prompted my son to laughter: "Dad, the kid's like a young ME." Then on to the other cousin in the neighborhood. Andy was there in his new house, with his wife Stacey, and their kids. It was a last chance to see them before going to California for his dad's wedding -- my Uncle Mick, Shirley's ex.

So the family thing is taken care of for now. Paul is already spinning with dreams of his destiny. More power to him.