Driving to Seattle and Day 2 in Seattle

Refraction

5/2

Driving to Seattle

Today was a driving day. We left Hotel Fifty and drove over the Colombia River into Washington. Our goal was Seattle. After driving for what seemed quite a few hours, playing crosswords along the way (Frankfurt Mister anyone?) we arrived in the seaport of Seattle. This is not the town I had imagined in my head. As we drove around to find a place to stay, it seemed that the town was very vertical, so many tall buildings aligning the harbor. I guess that I thought it would be more

green and less city-like. Anyway, we checking into a funky little hotel in the downtown district called Hotel 5. Shawna slipped and fell pretty hard while opening the door for me as we were bringing in the bags, but she’s a trooper and hopped right up. After bringing up the bags, we immediately fell asleep and woke up around 630. I think we had been pushing too hard and it finally caught up with us.

Dinner that night was at Lola, a Tom Douglas restaurant. He’s apparently a big deal restaurateur up there. Honestly, I’ll have to say that I’ve had better. It was very good and all, but for the money I guess I expected way too much. I had the Lemon chicken with fried garlic red potatoes and Shawna had a lamb burger. We had a big day planned for tomorrow, so after eating we went back to the room and read a bit until we fell asleep.

Pike's Marketplace

5/3

Day 2 in Seattle

The goal for today was to see Pike’s Marketplace, which I have heard from multiple people as a really awesome place to see. It did not disappoint! Breakfast was at a small café down the street called the Cherry Street Coffee House. Coffee ingested and boots laced we walked down to the market.

There are so many different, cool, little shops inside of and around the marketplace. One of the first places we went into was the Northwest Woodworker’s Gallery. They had some amazingly overpriced, but still very beautiful bookcases and tables. Some of my favorite tables combined the Shaker simplicity with the modern look of a natural unfinished top. I was also amazed at the detail of the work of the artists. Some of the dovetails were about the width of 2 quarters! The also were featuring the work of Margaret Dorfman, an artist that makes vessels out of vegetable parchments. One in particular caught my eye. It is a vessel made of purple and white potatoes but designed to look like a dogwood flower. Fascinating stuff!!

 

After leaving this store, we wandered down the street and found ourselves in a store called the Dragon’s Toy Box. This toy store had many things that I remembered as a child; parachute men, flying airplanes, kites, and other amazing toys that I can’t even remember now. I’m very surprised that I walked out of there without buying anything!

We finally turned the corner and found ourselves at the entrance to Pike’s Marketplace. As we were walking in, we stopped at a bookstore called Left Bank Books. It reminded me of all the bookstores I used to visit with my dad when I was young. It had multiple levels, seating in a bay window, and stacks of books upon books. I was about to leave when I found B. Traven’s Government sitting on the shelf. It was a paperback, but I’m always looking for anything by him. Government is the first in a series of six novels called the Jungle Novels that revolve around the Mexican Revolution. Not my favorite of his (Death Ship), but I could not pass it up!

We left the bookstore and found ourselves at Shy Giant Frozen Yogurt where they had wonderful and amazing flavors! Shawna got Huckleberry and I had Honey Lavender. Delicious! Shawna bought a skirt at a Jamaican store after we finished our cones. We passed in and out of shops that I can’t even remember now. I know that we debated in a soap shop for about 15 minutes, but ended up leaving without buying.

Pike’s Marketplace lines both sides of Pike’s Place, and even on a weekday, it was packed with people. There are various lines in front of cafes and restaurants from which pour intriguing, exciting odors of deliciousness. We skipped most of the lines and just walked. The waterfront side of the market has 3 levels of shops, starting at street level and going underground. As we walked back on that side, we stopped to smell the lilacs for sale as well as photograph the beautiful tulips.

Tucked away in a corner, one level below the street is a small bookstore called Lion Heart Bookstore. Even if you do not want to buy anything, you must go there to meet the shopkeeper, David. David is a character, witty, humorous, and knowledgeable. He keeps a steady stream of banter with his customers, sometimes singing, sometimes rapping, and always talking! I would go back to Pike’s just to see him again. One of my favorite quotes by him was, “If you want to get married, you need to buy a Subaru Forester…and then put a kayak on top. I don’t even kayak but I’ll look cool!”

After wandering the shops for awhile longer (stopping at a photo booth) we went back up to street level to the fish guys to watch them throw fish around. However, we were captured by a street artist who was playing guitar and singing. Her name is Whitney Mongé and she had the most amazing raspy, soulful voice. I definitely recommend giving her a listen! Had to buy a CD from her.

  

At Dinner

After a solid five hours walking, Shawna’s ankle was swollen pretty good and we decided to walk back to the room and rest for a bit. Dinner was at another Greek place, but more our speed, called Deli Shez. We were going to go out that night but ended up watching a movie instead.

Tomorrow, leaving Seattle!