Carillon Point Marina

I’m sure I’ve told the story before, but I’ll do so again.

When we first arrived in the US in 1981, the Haggarty Family — Jack and Patty, and their kids, Erin, Molly, Emmett, and Michael — opened their homes and their lives to us. They didn’t know us. We didn’t know them. They were friends of friends, who became dear friends of ours.

We stayed with them for three weeks before moving to Tacoma after I found a job. Then, in 1983, we moved to Utah and eventually further away. Though the distance between us grew, we remained in touch … Christmas cards, catch-up letters, emails, and now, social media. Then, in 2018, when we returned to Washington on our “where shall we settle down in retirement” tour, we had a chance to meet up in person again.

With Washington on this year’s road trip, we just couldn’t miss the opportunity to meet up again. Schedules didn’t work out in May, so here we were in August … with a date to meet them for dinner in Kirkland.

Patty had made reservations for us at the Le Grand Bistro Américain … overlooking Lake Washington … a French restaurant with excellent food; great service; and lovely views. The camaraderie, as always, was great. We got caught up on each others’ lives; told stories — both new and old — and laughed and laughed.

It was so wonderful to see Patty & Jack … and we will plan to do so again whenever our travels take us back to Washington.

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For those interested in such things, Mui and I both ordered the special … Neah Bay Coho Salmon, grilled and served over a bed of quinoa tossed with herbs, roasted chanterelles, green beans, caramelized shallots, grilled broccolini … and cauliflower purée. We wrapped up with a delicious creme brûlée.Read more