It's a bench!

Back in 2002, we admired the creative benches at the
ceanothus garden, part of the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens.
As I recall, most of them were dedicated to individuals too.

I received word at the end of September that the Mercer Island Parks Dept was pouring the concrete for Sandy's bench and the bench should be in place within the next few weeks. However, nothing about the process had gone according to schedule, so I decided to wait a month or so before visiting the site. I feared making a special trip and being disappointed.

Then the rains came. And I was sick. My schedule was full; the weather was crappy; I didn't have energy. Several times I thought I'd bike across the I-90 bridge on my way home from therapy, since my route took me to the bridge tunnel. I even took a camera with me. But each time, the cold wind kept me focused on getting home.

But spring arrived in Seattle yesterday, and. like everyone else in the city, I knew I had to be outside. It was the perfect day for a ride across the lake.

The bench is there! I was delighted as I approached to see that there were people sitting on it. The plaque is fine; her name is spelled correctly and there are no words missing. I'd worried that the location of the bench might be off because they'd had to shift it to the other side of the short walkway due to grounds maintenance, but the placement works very well. I was relieved to be completely and utterly pleased.

I took several photos, and then I sat on the bench, satisfied. Pedestrians and cyclists alike can rest here after the short punishing climb from the bridge. Some of them will read Sandy's name, maybe even say it aloud. Some will read the words, and maybe a few of them will leave the bench feeling refreshed and reminded of their intention to enjoy the journey as much as the destination.

Meanwhile, it serves as a permanent memorial to a woman who wanted desperately to be remembered. She doesn't have a gravestone; I can't afford to donate a hospital wing in her name. There are other tributes that bear her name, primarily in the world of fandom, and I am grateful for each of those. But the bench is a physical touchstone. I'm glad she asked for it, and I'm especially thankful that I was able to have it installed in a place that Sandy always paused to catch her breath, have a snack, appreciate the sense of accomplishment that crossing the bridge brings, and enjoy the view.

Directly across from the bench is an open field, with trees
and Lake Washington in the distance. As I sat there for a
few minutes, I saw people playing with dogs, parents flying
kites with their children, and a small girl with shaky legs
toddling to her mom on the grass. It's a happy-making spot.

If you'd like to visit the bench, you'll find it on the I-90 trail on the west side of Mercer Island. Just after you bike or walk across Lake Washington on the I-90 bridge, the trail immediately climbs around a bend. The bench is on your right just as the trail levels off, across from the pedestrian entrance to the park's open field. If you prefer to drive, head eastbound on I-90 across Lake Washington, and then take West Mercer Way (exit 6), turn left onto West Mercer Way, and then turn left into the parking lot. From there, walk towards the I-90 trail (south) along the sidewalk that borders the field and you'll see the bench. The open field is apparently called Area C of the Park on the Lid.