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If you know me well you may also know that I’m very sentimental. I pause when I smell something that reminds me of my childhood, like freshly cut grass or the crisp scent of winter. I want to momentarily live in those moments, let the flood of memories rush through before I move on with what I was doing, or even complete whatever thought was going through my mind.

Today is my last day in Seattle, and last night I wanted to see her and live in one of those moments before I officially drove South to my new home in Portland. It’s not like I’ll never come back here, but it’s a different sensation … residing versus visiting … and I wanted to feel it while I was still a part of the city. So I picked her most iconic spot to say my goodbyes: the Space Needle.

I’ve been up the Space Needle several times … too many to remember yet not quite enough to feel like it was enough. It’s the obligatory place to bring family and friends when visiting from out of town, and since it’s only two blocks from my apartment it was a quick trip. My last few days here have been a hectic and frantic frenzy of scheduling movers, packing my gear and also trying to fit in a bit of work in-between. That, and Brian and I are also trying to personalize and beautify our new home in Portland, which we officially owned as of one week ago today. To say I’ve been busy is an understatement.

So I went up the elevator with a few other couples, (my date was my camera strapped across my shoulder), made my way to the outer deck of the Space Needle and started walking in a circle clockwise around the top. I think I made about 20 laps, but I’m not sure … I stopped counting after a dozen or so. While walking I could look out into the city and pinpoint all of the beautiful photography spots I had found with friends. I could see the whole city from there, and with it I saw the timeline of my short one-year affair I had with this beautiful city. I kept walking until the sun went down.

The weather had been pleasant all day and I was hoping to get lucky and see some color in the clouds as the sun set, one last “hurrah!” before I went to my new home. As expected, the sunset went the way of most sunsets here in the PNW … it just faded from gray, to dark gray, and eventually to black. Seattle, you’re so predictable.

I needed that one last moment to reflect, to make sure that I could say goodbye with a clear head. I can even say that I had a few tears roll down my cheek in the process … but then again it was cold, and windy, and I have very sensitive eyes.

Seattle, I’m gonna miss you.

If you know me well you may also know that I’m very sentimental. I pause when I smell something that reminds me of my childhood, like freshly cut grass or the crisp scent of winter. I want to momentarily live in those moments, let the flood of memories rush through before I move on with what I was doing, or even complete whatever thought was going through my mind.

Today is my last day in Seattle, and last night I wanted to see her and live in one of those moments before I officially drove South to my new home in Portland. It’s not like I’ll never come back here, but it’s a different sensation … residing versus visiting … and I wanted to feel it while I was still a part of the city. So I picked her most iconic spot to say my goodbyes: the Space Needle.

I’ve been up the Space Needle several times … too many to remember yet not quite enough to feel like it was enough. It’s the obligatory place to bring family and friends when visiting from out of town, and since it’s only two blocks from my apartment it was a quick trip. My last few days here have been a hectic and frantic frenzy of scheduling movers, packing my gear and also trying to fit in a bit of work in-between. That, and Brian and I are also trying to personalize and beautify our new home in Portland, which we officially owned as of one week ago today. To say I’ve been busy is an understatement.

So I went up the elevator with a few other couples, (my date was my camera strapped across my shoulder), made my way to the outer deck of the Space Needle and started walking in a circle clockwise around the top. I think I made about 20 laps, but I’m not sure … I stopped counting after a dozen or so. While walking I could look out into the city and pinpoint all of the beautiful photography spots I had found with friends. I could see the whole city from there, and with it I saw the timeline of my short one-year affair I had with this beautiful city. I kept walking until the sun went down.

The weather had been pleasant all day and I was hoping to get lucky and see some color in the clouds as the sun set, one last “hurrah!” before I went to my new home. As expected, the sunset went the way of most sunsets here in the PNW … it just faded from gray, to dark gray, and eventually to black. Seattle, you’re so predictable.

I needed that one last moment to reflect, to make sure that I could say goodbye with a clear head. I can even say that I had a few tears roll down my cheek in the process … but then again it was cold, and windy, and I have very sensitive eyes.

Seattle, I’m gonna miss you.

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Nicole is a photographer, published author, and educator specializing in Lightroom, Photoshop, and photography. She is best known for her books on food photography but is widely versed in various photographic genres, including landscape, nature, stock, travel, and experimental imagery.

9 Comments

  1. Jeff December 6, 2012 at 9:28 am - Reply

    It seems like you just moved to Seattle!

  2. Paula Thomas December 6, 2012 at 9:38 am - Reply

    I’m glad you were able to experience Seattle. Good luck with your new adventures in Portland! You better come back to visit! Maybe come to some G+ strolls.

  3. Amy Heiden December 6, 2012 at 10:56 am - Reply

    Cheers to new adventures in Portland! Hopefully I’ll get to come visit soon!

  4. Pamela December 6, 2012 at 10:57 am - Reply

    I’ll always remember our piercing night together…lol

  5. Tressa Crozier December 6, 2012 at 11:13 am - Reply

    Such an exciting new chapter, Nicole! Can’t wait to come visit you again! :-)

  6. Jay Taylor (aka Sirfishalot) December 6, 2012 at 12:54 pm - Reply

    Nicole,
    Sorry that you are leaving us, but congratulations on your marriage and new home in Portland. Have fun and say hi to Brian for me.

  7. Maki S. December 6, 2012 at 6:53 pm - Reply

    Congratulations on the beginning of an exciting new chapter!!

  8. John Mootz December 6, 2012 at 7:13 pm - Reply

    I wish the two of you much happiness in PDX.

  9. Jeanette Hill December 8, 2012 at 7:41 am - Reply

    Best wishes and I love your new book. Thanks to both you and Brian for all you do for photographers. Ps. The Chinese Gardens in Portland is a great photo op. luv ya, from Nevada

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