Tag: travel

Beating the Summertime Blues

_TPW5187

It’s been a good summer and hot!  Cat and I spotted a couple of barred owls outside our home one morning on Mother’s Day.  We’ve enjoyed hearing them call to each other the early morning hours.

The 12 tomato plants have provided plenty of great fruit this year even though it has been quite dry.  All I’ve had to do is pick them and water occasionally.  Lycopene heaven. They taste very good this year and will surely miss them this coming winter.

We spent the July the 4th weekend in the Pisgah National Forest on the Blue Ridge Parkway camping in the mountains.  The temperature was in the  mid to late 70s with lows in the early 60s at night. Perfect.  It was in the 90s down below.  I believe we were camping just above 5,000 feet.  It is gorgeous up there.

IMG_1786

 

_TPW5242

_TPW5291

Later this month we travel to Vancouver Island along the Johnstone Straits outfitted by Grey Wolf Expeditions.  We’ll be camping for 4 days whale watching, salmon fishing, kayaking,  and simply relaxing.

 

Pikes Place Market – Seattle

Pike Place Market that overlooks the Elliott Bay waterfront in Seattle, Washington. The market has been in operation since 1907. It is a marketplace for farmers, merchants, and craftspeople. Name after the central street, Pike Place Market is visited by over 10 million people each year. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. The market is situated on the edge of a steep hill and there are several levels located below the main level. The upper level is manned by fishmongers, fresh produce stand and craft people. Through the insisten voices of local consumers and farmers, public land was designated for market use. Over the years, the market has evolved as buildings and roofs were added making the market a true establishment. In the 1920s, there developed a “mosquito fleet” (which is now the Washington State Ferry system) and consumers were ferried to the market from outlying areas. In 1963, Pike Place was nearly demolished and a proposed hotel, apartment buildings, and office space was on the table. However, due to public outcry, the market remained. In 1971 an initiative was passed that created a historic preservation zone and the market was to the public.