Seattle

Our stay in Washington is quickly coming to an end. We decided to head south a week from Monday, right after the Wooden Boat Festival. This is an event that we see advertised every time we visit Pt. Townsend, but haven't stayed late enough in the season to attend. Pictures to follow!

We have been very bad about blogging this trip. Aside from general laziness, not much happens here. That is just fine with us. Our upcoming trip to Mexico will more than make up for our lack of blogging now. The last few days have been very fall-like. Rainy and cool. Hard to believe that Southern California is experiencing a heat wave.

Mimi and I made one trip to Seattle, and Mimi made a follow-up trip with some of her girlfriends. Seattle is both close and far. Separated from Pt. Townsend by Puget Sound, the only way to drive to it is by going south for about 70 miles, around the bottom of the sound, then back up for about 50 miles. Just far enough to keep those city folks at bay most of the time. A short-cut is to drive south about 25 miles, and take a 1/2 hour ferry ride to downtown Seattle. This is a great trip. The fare is free going to Seattle, and dirt cheap coming back. A perfect day trip.

Below is the ferry. It carries both passengers and cars. Very comfortable.

Pike Street Market (don't ever say Pike's Place - the natives hate that) is a giant, permanent farmers' market along the waterfront. It takes several hours to browse, and is difficult to pass-up many of the unusual and tasty food items. I think we did exceptionally well on this trip. Chocolate linguine anyone?

The fish market, near the main entrance, is especially captivating. You may have seen the fish mongers throwing large salmon across the counter on T.V. A customer chooses from the fish in front, and an assistant tosses the item to someone behind the counter to wrap it. It's then tossed back. I don't know what they do with fish they drop or miss catching.

I thought that Parrot Fish are tropical...

The rest of Pike Market consists of stalls with a narrow aisle, so the crowds get heavy.

This is Margie, a friend that went with Mimi on her second Seattle venture.

There are lots of hand crafted items. A nautical or fish theme is very common.

This street performer is playing an ancient Chinese string instrument. Lots of other performers are there, including one playing a small upright piano. Don't know what he does with it after hours.

Outside of the market are some nice park areas. This one overlooks the harbor of Seattle.

If you turn around, downtown is about a block away with buildings perched on descending terraces - like a miniature San Francisco.

Just north of the ferry landing is Pioneer Square. The oldest section of Seattle, it has a very comfortable park where one can easily spend the afternoon listening to musicians play. Seattle is a very people-friendly place.

A major sculpture is dedicated to fire fighters, who had their hands full protecting the wooden structures that once made-up the waterfront. It's fun to sit in the park and watch Japanese tourists posing with the statues for pictures. A group of five or six of these tourists can take a 1/2 hour - each posing with the statues, then in small groups.

Seattle is famous for its glass blowing industry. Pioneer Square has a small shop with an active glass blower.


He's making candle holders.

Other craft shops are also present..

This is Mimi's group from her second trip. From left to right that's Phyllis, Margie, Priscilla, and Susan. There is literally a Starbucks Coffee bar on every corner.

That's it for now folks....