I'll just tell you upfront -

I'm saving the Chilhuy Glass for a separate post - 
 

But here's some more of our Pacific North West adventure --

We arrived in Seattle at midnight.

[Crazy. I know. But I'm trying so hard to use my leave wisely - ]

And in a nutshell: the hotel we had reservations at looked like an old apartment building, had TERRIBLE service, [ -- gave us a key to someone else's room!] and ended up just not being for us [spiders!!] So we finally settled in around three a.m. at a hotel just outside of town - and so much more like the ones we stay in routinely! 

[We actually returned to it the day before we flew out -]

Problem?

We had a nine a.m. food tour at the Public Market 

and it would take us at least 45 minutes to get there - 
Seattle's a BIG city -and unfortunately, it's a driving city ...

With road construction almost on top of the lane you're driving in - cRaZy ---

We started this trip out TIRED y'all. 

 I was amused to see this in the vendor garbage cans - 

Since I always consider a farmer's market to be things 

the farmers brought in fresh from their fields. HA.

And it did look enticing spread out all together -

 The food tour was awesome! 

Lots of little bites and history of the area along the way.

Plus great tips on how to avoid the lines for the

BEST CLAM CHOWDER I'VE EVER EATEN.

[Even better that what I had in Maine - truth.]

But of course one of the stops we were most looking forward to was the 

Pike Place Fish Market - 

 And they did not disappoint. If you know me well, you know I don't enjoy salmon - 

 BUT. Oh. My. 

 They had some delicious tastings available for the tour!

My favorite may have been alder smoked with a little brown sugar. 
SO GOOD.

[And yes - they REALLY DO throw the fish!]

If we'd been in a camper [with a way to store / cook] we would've brought some with us!

Side note: all the seagulls in Washington were HUGE.

And wore lipstick. Ha.

Y'all know we like seek out the fun things - and the Fremont Troll 
DID NOT DISAPOINT.

So fun! 

And I think I loved the apartments across the street almost as much!

 

 Look at all the mid-century modern deliciousness - 
And that dog!
 
I've just realized I'm not going to be able to share EVERYTHING 
because we tend to go non-stop when we're in an area new to us!

So some quick re-caps -

Weird Tree in Gig Harbor - 

 What is this thing anyway?

We loved this little town and spent the day at the farmer's market, 
walking the streets ...

[wild blackberries EVERYwhere] and had a great lunch dockside - 

We enjoyed  seeing apple orchards at every turn in the road and stopped for cider donuts [and saw apples that weighed almost two pounds each! Wow! 

Cool thing: they have a state program where seniors can get a stipend for fresh fruits and veggies - income based and good all year - so wonderful!

We loved finding this outdoor art museum 

 with all kinds of sculptures in a huge field!
 
[It was great to get out and walk a bit too!]

Joan Miro is one of my favorite artists, so it was fun to see some art inspired by him - 

But this one may have been my favorite of the day - 
Pick Up Sticks!
But look closely at the sticks... CREEPY. lol -

We enjoyed a night in Long Beach Washington - in a sweet little hotel that was very GenZ with lots of communal activities [coffee / hot chocolate in the lobby, games and tables to spread out and visit, bikes to check out and ride along the board walk, bon fires on the beach, etc.] The beach was uncrowded for miles!

Very basic rooms [no air - but each room  had a fan.]
Pretty cool, all in all - 

We ate in town that night, but the next morning the restaurant had a fantastic breakfast - with my favorite thing: home made pop tarts! And a wonderful view!

Such a sweet little town that reminded me of 'old Florida' before all the commercialization and condos - Very walk-able with fun little shops and only a few places to eat [no fast food!] 
And the beautiful beach that stretched on forever...
 I'll share the light houses next!