Pike Place Market
Seattle, WA
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We headed north to Seattle for our POD service appointment. Because they would have the the vehicle for most of the day, they said they would give us a ride into downtown Seattle and then pick us up at our convenience - thank you Mercedes Benz! We headed to Pike Place Market with the intent to wander the area, shop and eat. Little did we know that this would set the tone for the entire week ahead……..
Pike Place Market
Seattle, WA
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Pike Place was just gearing up as we arrived just before 9 am. We watched fish mongers load ice and their varied catch into their stalls, flower vendors unloading and filling tin bouquet tubs with gorgeous arrangements, fruit sellers, bakers, artisans - everyone greeting the overcast day and ready to start anew. Much larger, more rustic and more open than Faneuil Hall the market was a sensory overload. We wanted to buy everything - it all looked so tempting! We saw food items that intrigued us and we knew we needed to step back and assess. Breathing deeply, and after a full walk through both sides of the market, we decided to begin with hot ciders from an outdoor vendor and savory croissant from a small bakery. We found an enclosed place to sit, eat our delights and gaze out over Puget Sound. Shrouded in clouds that would lift over the course of the morning, the harbor was busy with traffic as we munched while deciding what we would bring to friends and feast on over the next few days!
Pike Place Market
Seattle, WA
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We decided we needed to buy cheese, bread, fruit, monkfish, smoked salmon and bratwurst as the core elements of what we would cook. We found recipes, we made lists and then we wandered more - through galleries and bookstores. At lunch time we decided to head to The Athenian, a restaurant that has been at Pike Place since 1909.
Looking out over Puget Sound
Pike Place Market
Seattle, WA
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In a booth overlooking the sound we lingered over local brews and an amazing seafood stew. The sun, not normally seen in Seattle this time of year, suddenly popped through the clouds and bathed us in all its warmth. It was so pleasant I could have sat there for most of the day. And yet, we finally roused ourselves from our hop filled stupor and began our shopping! We found the sweet paprika, fresh sauerkraut, tomatoes, garlic, veggies etc that we needed for all the recipes. We sampled cheeses, watched cheese curds being made and made our cheese selections. Decided which breads to buy and which berries looked the best. By mid afternoon we were taken back to the Mercedes service center and we were soon on our way! The POD was waiting and had been washed!!!! Life is good.
Skagit Bay from Dana's house
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LaConner, WA was our next stop. Our plan is to visit more friends and family on this north west swing. Tim’s cousin, Dana, lives on a most spectacular spot overlooking Skagit Bay. The sun rises on the left of the bay and sets on the right …… bringing back memories of Windmill Lane. Breathe deep. We cooked, we ate, we gabbed, we wandered and explored …. it was perfectly relaxing. Monkfish in tomato garlic sauce served with lemon garlic orzo. Bratwurst, new potatoes and veggies stewed with sauerkraut. Alaskan King Crab. Steamers. Shakshuka in green chili salsa. Once we got started we could not stop….
Eating steamers with Dana
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Alaskan King Crab!
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Dana and Tim
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Sunset on Skagit Bay from Dana's house
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After a few days there we headed to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island in Washington to visit Tim’s brother Russell and his wife Roberta. The San Juan Islands are an archipelago of islands that sit between the U.S. mainland and Vancouver Island, Canada. All in all there are 172 named islands and reefs here but only a few are serviced by ferry. San Juan Island is the second largest of the islands and boasts a population of @ 7,500 year round residents. However, the population jumps to @ 25,000 during the summer! (Shades of Cape Cod - in the early days). The 1 hour ferry ride was stunningly beautiful! The water was pristine as we cut between the myriad of outcrops and islands speckled with houses deep among the pines and firs. The glacier cut channels run 350’ - 500’ deep in these waters!
Roberta, Russell and Tim
Cattle Point, San Juan Island, WA
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Friday Harbor is the perfect little resort town - a picturesque harbor, walkable streets, galleries, inns and restaurants. But it is the rest of the island that brings it home - at @ 17 miles long and 5 miles wide the topographic diversity is astounding. From rolling farmland to pebble beaches to old growth forest this island has just about everything.
Friday Harbor, WA
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Russell and Roberta treated us to a full scale round the island tour with stops at each historic and awe inspiring site. The grayness that hung in the sky did not deter us from venturing out each day in search of gastronomic pleasure! We sampled simple - yet terrific - pub grub, local craft brews and delicious wood stove pizza, amazing pop overs at Ernie’s Cafe at the small “international” airport, and a wonderfully special Valentine’s dinner at Vinny’s overlooking the harbor. Oh…. and one evening Russell prepared a most wonderful dinner of rack of lamb, potatoes Dianne, and steamed asparagus. As I said … we have not stopped eating!
Craft brews at San Juan Island Brewery
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did I tell you these popovers were amazing??!!!
Ernie's Cafe
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I thank our hosts and LOVED every second we were together to share in conversation, the views, the moments and the food! So special.
San Juan Island
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We left Friday Harbor late this morning and tonite we sit in a small state park along the coast just north of Anacortes, WA. It is really dark and I think it may rain tonite. But thats okay. (We have been amazingly lucky with our Pacific NW weather so far….)
We are happy and we are (needless to say) quite full!
Our bellies are full of food, our hearts are full of love, and our lives are fuller and richer because of family and friends along the way. Thank you.
Looking west from the south end of San Juan Island
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