My first night in Seattle I stayed with my brother-in-law, Lee Oskar. He was the harmonica player in War (Cisco Kid, Low Rider), and remains one of the finest harp players in the country, if not the world. From Denmark originally. Insisted I have Egg Beaters with him in the morning, then showed me his new studio. His stories of first coming to America in the 60s are fascinating: NY, San Francisco, LA. Then hooking up with Eric Burden and later War.

Did an interview on Seattle Public Radio, KUOW. Great interviewer, Megan Sukys. Morning traffic to the studio, as in all these meccas, was a f—ing nightmare. If that’s the price of paradise, they can keep it. One thing about Seattle: damned good coffee.

Went down to Fisherman’s Terminal to look for my old halibut boat, the schooner on which I worked for a season in Alaska. The boat had moved though, changed ownership, and was now in Westport. Ballard was different too: now it’s hip. When I lived on the boat there in the early 80s, it was just a place for fishermen. Well, everything changes.

Passed the day writing in a cafe beside the Sound. Went for a jog along the shore, out by one of the old lighthouses. Watched the tugs and freighters pass. Sun was out. Sound a sparkling blue, Olympic Range in the distance like something out of Tolkien. Lord!

Signing a great success. Large crowd. Barnes & Noble near the university: “Largest Barnes & Noble west of the Mississippi.” Sure I love independent bookstores, and do a lot of them. But the B&Ns are always good to me too: free cappuccinos. All I can drink, and I can drink a lot.

One more signing tonight, in Edmonds, then home.