Just got back from a nice week in Seattle for a business trip.

Weather was wonderful, as it can be in Seattle during the Summer. Have been there many times but this was the first daylight landing in clear weather, so Mt. Rainier was fully visible.

Of course I was checking out the used car prices and other conditions. Here are my observations from an east-coast perspective:

Used-car prices are a little high. Perhaps that is due to their condition. They don't have to use road salt, and the typical Seattle weather is overcast, so the cars don't get as much interior and exterior "sunburn". I really saw some nice vintage cars on the road, including a 1975 or 76 240D that was just about mint.

Unemployment is a problem there. Boeing is considering moving more operations away from Seattle. Better hope Microsoft doesn't get the urge to move......

Mortgage rates are lower. I saw 4.5% zero points.

The best airline food I ever had was on the Alaska Airlines flights, non-stop from National to Sea-Tac and back. Can't recommend AA enough.....

Ken300D

__________________
--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles