So, you've had a climbing gym accident, you've successfully made it through numerous surgeries, you've been bedridden for the last six weeks, but now you have just got a fancy new wheelchair and have demonstrated abilities to get around including on and off of buses.
You're free! Where would you go? What would you do?
I headed for home, and home for me is Ballard. More specifically my first and most pressing desire was too get to my barber, have a haircut and a thorough hair washing, and then have her shave the six-week beard off my face! Heaven!!
Backing up just a bit. Laura and Bill arrived at Anderson House and sat with me for breakfast before we headed for the 348 bus stop. We took the 348 to Northgate Transit Center and caught the 40 to Ballard. No muss no fuss. Disembarking at the main bus stop in Ballard was a very special moment: rolling along Market Street in perfect sunshine, seeing all the familiar places, feeling the energy of the neighborhood, knowing I was finally home.
In addition to the barber mission we also had an appointment to visit and tour Ballard Landmark on Leary Way. The Landmark is a senior assisted living community but in special cases they allow slightly less than senior individuals (like me!) to become residents. The tour left us very enthusiastic about my joining the community. You've got to see this place: many amenities and very well-appointed community spaces. The one bedroom apartment we visited on the 5th floor has southwesterly views of both the ship canal and the Olympic range. Ironically the Landmark is directly across the ship canal from Vertical World Climbing Gym.
Later in the afternoon we toured up and down Ballard Avenue stopping in various places. Sangrias at Matadors. Oysters at Acme bar. Whiskeys at Macleod's. Marijane and Marie joined us for dinner at Bastille. After a leisurely and entertaining meal I took Metro back to Anderson House and made it in time to watch the last 10 minutes of the Seahawks game.
What a fantastic first day of freedom!
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