Monday, January 28, 2019

Sunday "Run Away From Home" Field Trip

After being home bodies for a while, I begin to get restless for a change of venue. It's winter, it's cold, and I don't want to go far. Also, Seattle is experiencing even worse than usual traffic issues because the Hwy 99 viaduct is now permanently closed, and will be torn down, and the new tunnel to replace it is not yet open. So the question is, where can we go on the train? 

We use the light rail, Link, to go into the city, and in the city there are places to explore. So that's what we did. 
From the Westlake Center Link station we walked downhill to the Pike Place Market. We signed in at Lowell's restaurant in The Market and then browsed the produce while we waited ten minutes for our table. 

See that pretty green cauliflower/broccoli vege above the asparagus? We chatted with a vendor about it. It's Romanesco broccoli, and I have seen it often in farmer's markets but never tried it. On our way back to the Link much later in the day we stopped and bought one. I think I will roast it. 

Our table at Lowell's had a peek-a-boo view of the market below. Since the fog wasn't clearing, it was OK to not have a view of the sound. 
Tom had Hangtown fry, a scramble with bacon and oysters.
I like some seafood, but not oysters much. I prefer my bacon and eggs plain, with french toast.

After a leisurely brunch we studied all that the market had to offer.  
These are greenhouse grown tulips.
The other flower venders offered dried bouquets. 
There were a surprising number of people out and about. Here they had a view of the viaduct. 
This woodworker turned cigar box guitar maker was featured in that morning's Sunday newspaper. We had a fun chat with him. We enjoy taking the time to talk to vendors when they are not too busy. We have several good chats along the way. 
One of the market pigs. 
Fog, ferris wheel, and ferry boat. 
And the empty viaduct, streaked with paint from partiers the night it closed for good. 

More produce vendors.

And cheese!


We don't seem to be getting crab in the grocery stores, and it is expensive here in the market. 
We left the Market and walked down lots of steps to the waterfront below. The carousel was looking and sounding great.  
Winter plants were lovely at the Argosy tour boat pier. 


Here you see the viaduct on the left. When it is gone there will be a dramatic change here at the waterfront. 
We stopped by Ivar's pier to see the scene: fire boat, ferries, and seagulls begging for handouts. 



Ivar Haglund is a legend in Seattle. Feeding Ivar's french fries to the gulls is a tradition. 
Seattle is a city of skyscrapers and cranes now. 
The Great Wheel. 
We walked back up a bunch of steps and then found an elevator to rescue us and get us the rest of the way back up to The Market, where we stopped in at a treasure of a place, the rooftop garden that is part of the Market Senior Center. 


Across the street from the Market you can find lower prices from the vendors. Since $10.99 was better than $13.99, we bought one two pound crab to share for dinner when we got back home. 
And then, to top off our Seattle Day, we stopped in at the Pike Street Starbucks, where we cashed in reward points for two coffees. The brownies were on us. 


We arrived back home a little before 4:00, tired but happy with our adventure.

From vendors in The Market I bought a little dish to set by the kitchen sink to hold my ring when I want to spare it from messy hands, 
and this long sleeved tee with NW Native hummingbird design. 
No matter what I have tried, this photo insists on going sideways. Fortunately our crab dinner did not actually slide off the plate. 


It was a great topper to our run-away-to-Seattle day. 

15 comments:

  1. Good that you take advantage of all thee is to see and do.

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a lovely day! I've been to Seattle only once, but hope to visit again one day. One of the places I'd love to see is the rooftop garden, as although I've been to the market I wasn't aware of the garden.

    Thanks for sharing to the photos!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wonderful post that is quintessentially Seattle. I roast romanesque when I cook it, it's great! Love your pretty new shirt, Linda. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. sounds lovely, we had 60 degrees today fun for a long walk. Been an easy winter so far but is summer far off? lol...

    ReplyDelete
  5. It has been too cold to get out much here and I've had a little cabin fever so I really enjoyed spending a day out with you! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. What a fabulous outing and I’d get your breakfast too. And that crab dinner is absolutely awesome... Makes my mouth water. We were reallly impressed with Pikes Market. Thank you for taking me back there.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a satisfying run away. I am still suffering sticker shock from seeing the $9.95/lb price of asparagus!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I enjoyed your day away. I would have wanted a big bouquet of those tulips and hyacinths to bring home. The farmers market is so beautiful as well as having so much to offer. I have seen cigar box guitars made by an artisan here. Amazing how people that can play a stringed instrument can make music on about anything. Now where can we go???

    ReplyDelete
  9. You both do love the food and flowers. I bet you cannot wait for spring!

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a great adventure and you didn't have to drive to get there. A big plus. The man chasing the child in front of the Farmer's Market caught my eye. Sure hope he was family.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sometimes you have to run away from home to save your sanity. It's lucky that we have such a great city with so much to see and do so close to home, so you don't have to go far. Mmmmm -- lunch at Lowell's, one of my favorite places too!

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a great place to run away to! The public transportation available out there makes running away so convenient.

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a nice tour of Seattle! I always love going to the market,but haven't been for a couple of years. Not time to go back until they get the tunnel open though. Your new cover picture is wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a fun day away for you! Loved seeing the markets! :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. A grand adventure at the market. It's been years since we visited but your post makes me want to go!

    ReplyDelete

I would love to read your comments. Since I link most posts to Facebook, you may comment there if you do not have an account. I have eliminated Anonymous comments due to spammers.