Melba supervised my packing very well, letting me rub her tummy when I was feeling overwhelmed. She also offered to sit on my coat to make sure I lint-rolled all the dog hair off it, but I declined that one.

Mousie and I made it to Seattle in one rumpled piece, got to the hotel, and within hours of arrival, we are eating a Piroshky Piroshky pastry. The weather is thoroughly overcast and wet and cold, and will remain so for the rest of the weekend.

This is heaven.