Lafayette Balch, and the streets left behind.

As the distance between Chamber's Creek and Cormorant Passage shrinks at a rate opposite of this fish's growth, it has become apparent that much of life's offerings aren't yet tangible. The world has much to share. Thus! I will have the sweet, delicious scent of the Fringe Cup wafting up the ol' olfactories no longer.

Translation: I'm going to Europe for an undetermined amount of time starting October 1st, 2008! Things you can count on hearing about:

• Crazy Zack Morris-eque hijinx
  
• Possible deportation from one or more countries
  
• Staying with strangers I've met on the internet
  
• Perceived differences between there and my homeland
  
• Cutting through language barriers with MY MIND
  
• Making everyday activities seem more important than they are due to them being in a foreign place.
  

Fun facts: (because we all just adore those!)

Lafayette Balch was a sea captain that founded Port Steilacoom in 1851. Three years later, the town would join with the bordering Steilacoom City. Evidence of the separation between the two towns is still seen today with the dividing Union Street.

To make it easy for us to pronounce and spell these crazy Native American names, we turned Scht’leqwem into Steilacoom. However! This backfired. To this day, no outsider says the city's name correctly upon seeing its spelling! Scht’leqwem was the native's word for the Fringe Cup, a flower that flourishes in the area! FUN!

To read more about the oldest incorporated town in the state of Washington, head to www.townofsteilacoom.org/history/index.htm



More to come once I've touched ground in Europe! Stay tuned.

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