To market, to market...Pike Place Market - Seattle, WA

The Pike Place Market's unofficial bronze mascot, Rachel the Pig

No first time visit to Seattle would be complete without a stop at Pike Place Market. We made our way there on an overcast Monday morning. It was fairly quiet and a nice time for a leisurely stroll through the market.

 

Beautiful fresh produce being set out for display

  

   

Yes, please

The had me at BBQ Pork Sticks...Delicious!

Crabs, shrimp, fish and more. The market has it all.

Not only seafood of course...

It would be easy to spend the day taking in all of the sights at Pike Market. There are candy vendors, bakers, fish mongers, artists, all manner of things to see and do.

We wrapped up with a few souvenir purchases and some delicious chocolate cherries from the Chukar Cherries store.

Photo from Chukar Cherries website

After walking through the market we headed over to the original Starbucks store. I wanted to see where it all began. While Dunkin' Donuts will always be my nostalgic favorite, there's a place in my heart for Starbucks as well. Many years ago, whenever my friends mom would visit from Seattle, she would bring us a few bags of Starbucks coffee. None of us knew at the time what a huge sensation it would become.

And with that the Great Road Trip of 2014 comes to an end. Three states and 1100 plus miles. Memories that will last a lifetime. It's not everyday that you can help a friend and cross things off your bucket list. I was lucky enough to do both.

Happy travels!

Chihuly Garden and Glass - Seattle, Washington

The photos in this post were taken by the Dining Companion's hermana

Along with our visit to the Space Needle, the Dining Companion's hermana and I, visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit. The exhibit is near the Space Needle and you can purchase one ticket that includes both attractions.

Dale Chihuly studied glass working at the University of Wisconsin, the RI School of Design and the Venini glass factory in Venice, Italy. Chihuly, a native of Washington, was invited to create a glass installation in the city of Seattle. His design included an Exhibition Hall, a Garden installation and a Glasshouse.

The artist's signature

In 1976 Chihuly was in a car accident. In the accident he lost the vision in his left eye. He continued to blow glass after his recovery until he dislocated a shoulder surfing in 1979. No longer able to hold the glass blowing instruments he began a cooperative phase of his work that involved his oversight and ideas with the physical work being done by others.

Out of this loss came the Drawing Walls; a way for the artist to convey his thoughts and ideas to his team.

The exhibit is amazing. The beauty of it is breathtaking.

These Ikebana and Float Boats are the only things lit in a dark room. The effect is stunning.

Chihuly's work can also be seen at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. His piece titled “Fiori di Como” hangs from the lobby ceiling.

Picture of the artist with “Fiori di Como” Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada - Photo from the Las Vegas Review-Journal

I'm a fan of the artist and was thrilled to get a chance to see this exhibit. I haven't had a chance to visit the installation at the Bellagio but it is on my list. If you're in Seattle make the time to visit Chihuly Garden and Glass. It's a definite must see.

Happy travels!

NOTE: Next week we wind up our journey with a trip to Pike Place Market and the original home of Starbucks coffee. After that it's fun in the Big Easy.

Space Needle - Seattle, Washington

Seattle, Washington was the final destination for the Dining Companion's hermana and me. The end of our West Coast road trip.

Our plan was to spend a couple of days in the city doing all of the tourist-y things. We traveled the well worn tourist path, starting with the Space Needle.

The Space Needle was built for the 1962 World's Fair. The overall tower is 605 feet tall with an observation deck at 520 feet.

The view from the observation deck is stunning even on a cloudy day...

 

Attack of the Giant Spiders!

There are exhibits inside that talk about the history of the Space Needle.

 

  

Pressed Penny machines in the gift shop make a fun DIY souvenir. If you look closely in the photo below you can see some of them.

I had no idea that there was a restaurant at the top of the Space Needle. But once I found out we just had to eat there. Problem was we had no reservation. Lucky for us the staff was very kind and was able to find us a table. We got a great table right by the window. Oh yeah, the restaurant revolves! How great is that?

  

 

Visiting the Space Needle was fun. I would definitely recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Seattle. Having lunch at SkyCity was the icing on the cake for me. We had a great time in the Emerald City and I can't wait to get back.

Happy travels!