Seattle boomed as a town with the Klondike Stampede and people stocked up here before they headed to the Yukon to find gold. Few had struck it rich when the rush ended 1899, but a rich history remains and is visible. Lots of stories and memorablia.

Explored the Pike Place Markets this morning- started in 1907 to avoid the high cost of produce through middle men, it is the longest continuously operating market in the US. Multi-level and covering 9 ha.

Rachel the Piggie Bank is the market’s mascot, and draws in the crowds to the iconic Pike Place Fish Market (where we saw them throwing a large slippery fish around the crowd) and other stalls.

Beautiful flowers, huge array of vegetables, fish, pasta and specialty foods and everything else. All very vibrant and very crowded on a Saturday morning.

Just off to the side of the market is the quirky Gum Wall in Post Alley. Two large walls in a narrow alley “pasted ” with chewed gum and a few other bits besides plus messages spelt in gum.                       Rather madcap.

Wandered on down to Pioneer Square- the original   Seattle- very quiet spot after the market. Lovely London Plane tree line streets with old red brick buildings that were built on top of the “original city” razed by fire in 1899 (now subterranean and tourable).

Most of the morning was very cloudy and cool but we risked a trip to the top of the Sky View Observatory (Columbia Center) for 360 degree views out over Seattle, Puget Sound and the surrounding mountains. As the sun broke through, the views got better and better (except for the mountains in the distance). Well worthwhile trip up to 76th floor and 902′ up.

Got some nice peeps of the snowcapped mountains on both sides, from our room in later afternoon.

I also enjoyed a quick trip to the Central Library- intriguing glass and steel construction with interesting internal colours- a totally red corridor floor (bit dark and over powering for me), neon escalators, a 7,200 sq foot tongue and groove maple floor with lines of reversed raised text from children’s story books and several interesting sculptures and other unusual features.

Another yum dinner, asian fusion at Wild Ginger. Great service- NZ can learn a bit!

On a side note- Cannabis is legal in Washington State so also some tourism around the legal industry. Maps of pot stores where you can purchase  various versions of the goods but it’s illegal to consume in public and on federal property. Medical marijuana is available in 23 states.

Link to Seattle photos

Author: Gill

Hi. I'm fun-loving, creative, mostly energetic and a mother of 3. My interests are family, culinary pursuits (I own just a few cookbooks...), socialising and entertaining, living and always learning.