Making Hay While The Sun Shines

Living in Seattle has made me appreciate a lot of things that I normally take for granted. To start with the SUN... Considering that we lived mostly in Texas. The sun was not the most appreciated commodity. But being on this side of the country has reinforced the credit that the otherwise ubiquitous sun deserves. Reconciling to the cold weather, while the sun plays peek-a-boo with us has almost become inevitable.
This week, the sun decided to shine on us continually for a few days. Feeling the sun shine on my face made me feel almost euphoric. We decided to get out of the house and go for a drive atleast ( with sleeping babies, even that is treat, believe me!!), and Behold!!! the city was bustling with activity. I doubt there were very many people left in their homes. The streets and the parks were filled with people - jogging, biking, running, walking, pushing their strollers out and about. The soccer fields were filled with little kids in colorful gears. It was a gorgeous sight to see all these people that normally hide away in their little abodes. I guess people here really make the most of it while the sun shines.
People warned me about the manic rates of depression in this city and I guffawed thinking that all this is grossly exaggerated. But, I now believe there is some truth to the statement. The same boring routes that I have been seeing on rainy days metamorphosised into a sight that was nothing short of spectacular. The sun-kissed, snowcapped mountains gleaming at a distance and the pine trees outlining the scenery that is topped off with a lovely lazy lake inviting you to take a dip, makes you want to be an artist. I was always told how beautiful Seattle was , but honestly I was not overwhelmed by it's beauty till I saw it in different light - Shining Sunlight !! The whole experience rendered more meaning to my friend's (Kirti) words to me a few weeks ago. She moved to Seattle from Texas a few months ago as well. She told me that she has learnt to steal every minute of sunshine and makes it a point to be outdoors on sunny days. So, as a family we decided we will follow on her wise footsteps. Every time the sun shines we take the kids out to one of the abundant parks that Seattle cradles in her arms. In short, we are learning to make hay while the sun shines - almost literally.

Here are some pictures from one of our outings with our friends Kirti and Erfan to the Carkeek Park along the Puget Sound river.