Pike Place Market in Seattle

Despite the 1.39" of rain and 50 mph winds predicted for today, we ventured out to Pike Place Market in Seattle.  We arrived at Becky's place at 8:15 a.m. to pick her up and there was the most amazing rainbow I'd ever seen.  It was almost like a double rainbow.  Even beyond the purple was more pink, orange and yellow!  So interesting!  We were fortunate in that it wasn't raining at Becky's and while it rained all night, it was only droplets this morning for a time.

Jeff had been at work all last night at his job with the South Snohomish County Fire & Rescue so we met him at the parking lot at 2nd and Union Street in downtown Seattle on his way home. The charge is $11.00 to park all day on the weekends.  First, we did the typical iconic photo shoot in front of the Pike Place Market sign.  Pike Place Market is one of the largest markets around covering a few blocks upstairs, downstairs and down side streets.

First thing, we grabbed some yummy donuts to start the day at Daily Dozen Donut Company, a place that has the most amazingly fresh mini donuts and watched a bit of fish throwing by the boys at the Pike Place Fish Company.  Click on the link and you can see the fish throwing yourself!  When you buy fish, they do the throwing so it keeps their stall lively and entertaining all day.  Then, we ventured into the Spice Market store - a favorite shop full of specialty teas and spices worldwide since 1911.  Another one of my favorite shops is Double Dorjee - a Tibetan shop.  I found the perfect singing bowl that resonated with me but I didn't want to spend the $249 price.  I kind of wished I spent a lot more time in that shop but I didn't want to keep the others waiting. It was really great and there was so much to see!

We did a bit more shopping and perusing, then headed down Post Alley to see the Gum Wall - an iconic landmark in downtown Seattle.  We didn't have any gum to attach this trip and the wall was pretty sparse from other years, so they must have cleaned it off recently.  They have to clean off the gum every so often or it will be too heavy for the wall to stand.  Normally, the gum will is totally saturated with gum and it takes awhile to find an open spot. 

We also shopped for a knit cap for me for our Holland trip in a couple of weeks.  I didn't pack my warm winter coat and knit hat being that we were heading south for the winter, so Becky gave me a her green and white jacket and I found this green cap to match, so now I'm all ready for the trip.  We also bought a 30th Anniversary Edition of Where's Waldo book for the trailer for when the grandkids come by.

We bought Jeff and Becky a housewarming gift from Crystal Bouquet by Karen Crabtree.  They specialize in pressed flower pendant, night lights and decorative items.  They are a family owned business and grow, pick and press all their flowers grown locally.  We bought them a crystal encased parchment and flower crystal sign and easle that says, "When two souls have finally found each other there is established between them a union which begins on earth and continues forever in heaven" ~~ Victor Hugo. It was so pretty I knew it would be a lovely gift as they fill up their new hutch in their new home.  I LOVE this.  Wish we kind of had one, too.  They had little necklaces, signs, and window glass as well.

The market place is FULL of flowers - blocks and blocks of them.  This time of year was full of tulips and daffodils.  If we weren't leaving in a couple of days I would have both a couple of bundles.  Each bundle was $20 which contained a LOT of flowers!

There was also a great wood artisan, Kris Sacksteder, who made the prettiest boxes from all kinds of unique wood.  His work was amazing!  His company is called Weird Woods.  The round one in the middle with a whole out of it is a Cholla -- see my post on the Cholla garden at Joshua Tree when we visited.  That one was fabulous!  Check it out.

Soon it was lunch and we all went our own way to grab what appealed to each of us.  I HAD to go to Pike Place Chowder.  It's America's #1 Chowder and as far as I'm concerned, it's the MOST AMAZING chowder in the world!  Of course, the line was about 40 minutes long - it's THAT good!  I can never decide between their New England Clam Chowder that has won so many awards - even against the New England boys - or the Seafood Bisque.  Both are phenomenal, so I got 2 small bowls of each.  Plus, they give you free sourdough bread to go along with it all for $6.95 per bowl.  The New England Clam Chowder is so thick, hearty and spiced just right; there's so much meat in every bite.  The Seafood Bisque has a spicy richness to it with a hint of tomato that makes your mouth water!  You can order online from anywhere and they will ship their chowders to you!  Scott and Jeff had Chinese food at Mee Sum Pastry.  Their Char Siu was authentic - just like Hong Kong.  Becky had a sandwich at Beecher's Handmade Cheese.  Beecher's makes an amazing Macaroni and Cheese dish that's to die for also!

New England Clam Chowder - Thick and Chunky!

Seafood Bisque - AMAZING!

Just before lunch, went deep into the market for some Chukar Cherries.  The secret is to get a bunch of free samples and then buy what you like.  We bought 2 bags - the Dark Chocolate Bings and the Classic Chocolate Covered Cherries.  Chukar ships their cherries anywhere in the world and they are SO GOOD you have to give them a try!  The more you buy, the cheaper they are and if you buy $70 they throw in a surprise.  Chukar is a family owned and operated establishment since 1988 from Prosser, Washington.  Becky also bought her Balsamic Vinegar from a shop called Papperdelles Pasta that had all sorts of types of Balsamic from Peach to Blueberry!  And, just as there were block and blocks of flowers on the north side of the market, there are blocks and blocks of produce of every kind on the south side of the market!  We bought some baby bok choy - one of my favorite veggies!

Web Photo

One of the last placed we saw was an egg shop.  Yep.  An egg shop.  There were all sorts of eggs so, naturally, I had to take a few pictures to show.

Quail Eggs and yes, there are GREEN eggs!
We should have GREEN EGGS and HAM, don't you think, Sam-I-Am?

Turkey Eggs

Emu and Ostrich Eggs!

Of course, since Pike Market is right by the water front, we took a few photos outside as well as around the market place.

Finally, the day wouldn't be complete without a picture of Rachel the Piggy Bank pig at the market.  She's market mascot and located in two spots at the market.  She "brings home the bacon" and has raised more than $200,000...and counting...to support social services in Pike Place Market.  Legend says that if you rub Rachel's snout and make a donation, you'll have good luck!

After we left Pike Market, we each traveled home in our own cars and Becky and Jeff came to our place a couple hours later.  Jeff hadn't seen our rig yet, so we gave him the grand tour and then we sat around chatting.  Of course, the dogs had to be the center of attention...and the conversation.

Roxy totally chillaxed!

Coco and Scott - with his 3 computers for work

Coco stealing a kiss

SHOCKING!  All the dogs looking this way at once!

It was a fun day and despite the weather forecast, we only had a few sprinkles and a little bit of wind toward the end.  Tomorrow...church, dinner and games with Jeff's parents Jim and Joy...stay tuned.