AUGUST 2004

I was visiting Seattle for the day about 16 years ago, and was just walking around town by myself. I started by in Pioneer Square and had walked as far as Green Lake. I was due to meet a friend nearby, but I was early. The park seemed like a good spot to kill some time, since it wasn’t too far from where I needed to be anyway.

I was walking around the lake, saw a random park bench, and sat down. I had lived a few miles from there several years before, but it was my first time in the park. I don’t remember if there was anything remarkable abut the bench, it just looked like a good spot. Maybe there was a plaque or something that said Gaines on it, but I haven’t thought about it or been there since then.

I must have sat there for only 5 minutes before I dozed off watching the ducks or geese or whatever bird was there. I don’t remember my dreams now, only that they were crazy and weird. At the time I chalked it up to minor dehydration or sleeping in the sunshine or having overly exerted myself. I had never fallen asleep on a park bench before, so that in itself was weird. The fact that I slept hard enough to dream is what struck me as the most unusual at the time.

When I woke up, the sun was starting to set and I had no idea what time it was. The birds had gotten quiet and had all moved away from me. I rushed over to meet my friend, and he had almost given up waiting for me. Despite being early to the park, I ended up being late to the meeting.

I hadn’t thought about it for a long time, until I saw a picture of that exact park bench in the newspaper article about this website. I had no idea anything out of the ordinary was associated with that spot. Thanks for the memories!

Submitted by David S.