THURSDAY, JULY 26, 2012
Thank God for our AAA Tour Book, and suggestions from friends and family, to help us decide what to see in Seattle. The State of Washington did not have a Welcome Center when we crossed the border on Interstate 90, and the two Sunrise Resort campgrounds we have stayed at, had no travel literature to entice us to see attractions in the State of Washington.
We did find one place with a cheerful desk lady, eager to tell us about the DISCOVERY PARK and WEST POINT LIGHTHOUSE, built in 1881, and restored recently. The AAA book says: "The natural setting is impressive - Magnolia Bluff overlooks Puget Sound, with (in clear weather) views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges.
WEST POINT LIGHT HOUSE
With some imagination, you can see the mountain ranges.
The Bald Eagle
up close and impressive.
His neck allowed him to look in
all directions. I just saved the face forward
view to show you.
Boats of all sizes passed by during the hour we were on the beach.
I need help identifying this plant.
My Mom had these Sweet Peas in her yard.
They grow wild along the roadways,
and had a good start on one
of the roadsides, as we drove down to
the beach area of the Discovery Park
which is a 534 acre urban wilderness and wildlife sanctuary,
on Gilman Avenue W/W. Government Way at 36th Ave. W.
NOTE: This park is FREE, open daily from 6 AM to 11 PM,
with Visitor Center open Tues. - Sun. 8:30 AM - 5PM.
Phone: 206-386-4236
SEATTLE - PIKE PLACE MARKET
These pictures will tell their own story.
We left our camp ground at 9:54 AM, and drove 35 miles to Seattle, arriving there about 11:10AM.
It took until 11:59AM to find a parking spot, after we drove to the area under the Space Needle.
The Valet said only folks with Luncheon reservations could park at the Space Needle.
We had originally planned to take a City Tour via Grayline from there.
Oh well. Go to Plan B.
We drove down Wall Street, and finally ended up along the Wharf area,
at a curbside Meter machine that allowed us to park there for
TWO HOURS for $5.00.
That was a bargain,
as we had seen lots and signs for $1.50 per 12 minutes,
or $24 for 4 hours.
We walked up a flight of stairs from the Wharf, then several blocks
up a hill, and down toward Pike Place Market. It was worth
our effort. As we walked along, there were small
groups at various street corners, to entertain the
lunchtime crowds.
This group had a Dixieland Jazz flavor to their music.
Wish we had not been limited to the two hour parking time,
we would have stood and listened longer.
When I saw the size of their Peaches, I did not hesitate to
pick out two peaches.
They cost me $4.18 for the two.
I had not noticed the price of $2.99 a lb.
which I learned when I enlarged this photo,
to see the price. Lesson learned.
This lady reminded me of someone special back home.
She was in a sea of flowers.
This bouquet and many like it, only cost $10.
We saw lots of folks
walking around the market with bundles of flowers.
This Stall was a good 100 ft. long.
My daughter had told me about PIKE PLACE FISH CO.,
and yes, we did see them announce what someone had ordered,
and saw it thrown to the person who would weigh
and package it for the buyer.
They were a take out market.
They also would pack and ship their
fresh-from-the-sea products.
This colorful Sockeye Salmon was worth a picture.
The Dungeness Crab was fascinating.
I remember a place in Rochester,
The Rascal Cafe, (which is now the site of a parking lot)
across from the Eastman Theatre ,
that used to serve them only on Tuesdays,
when they would have them flown in special.
Another place that was fun to look into was the Umbrella Shop
which had Umbrellas hanging from the ceiling.
We ended up having a Salad lunch at SUBWAY, which was one of the
few places without a long line, waiting to get into an eatery.
Their staff made our salads to order with grilled chicken,
and all the items they might put into their Wraps and Subs.
It helped us stay within our two hours parking limit.
We got back to the Truck at 1:55PM, with a
few minutes to spare.
We had to display this receipt on
the curb side of our front window,
to make us legally parked.
I did see a Police Officer,
writing tickets, up near the Market,
so I know they take this seriously in Seattle.
This photo was taken as we sat
in the Rush Hour traffic, during which we moved
two miles in thirty minutes.
We left the Lighthouse at 3:25 PM, drove
five miles to downtown by 3:51 PM, and
then two miles by 4:29 PM, when we got
into the HOV lane for two or more in a vehicle.
We were able to move along at 55 MPH
for the next 13 miles, when we got off
at Exit 2 to Auburn,
which was named for the City in NYS.
This piece of artwork was imbedded
in the sidewalk, and
caught my eye, in the Pike Place Market area.
These luxury yachts were docked along side the
street where we docked our Truck!
Our view of The Space Needle from underneath,
where we had hoped to catch the Grayline Tour.
That is it for today.
We have had a fair taste of
Seattle, and can say that it is a very
COLORFUL AND DIVERSIFIED
place to visit.
Two hours does not do it justice.
