A Short Christmas Walk

In December, I took a quick walk down to the Levee Street boat launch and moorage floats in Hoquiam, Wash., just as dawn was breaking.

Often in our Pacific Northwest winter, we get only a peek of sun for the entire day, at dawn or dusk, through a crack on the horizon beneath a ceiling of clouds. I didn't want to miss it.

The sky was just turning colors behind Simpson Avenue Bridge when I arrived.

I walked out to the farthest point on the moorage floats, where the Hustler was tied up...

...to get the best view of the bridge and the water.

Upriver, Riverside Bridge glowed briefly.

There were Christmas lights (and Christmas trees) in the water.

And Christmas colors on the bank.

I did not see 'nine ladies dancing', but I did catch some whales at it.

I packed up to leave with a surprising promise of blue skies ahead.