Pikes Peak Market

As Joe and I left Orcas we were filled with a sense of foreboding... how long will this amazing trip last? Which way should we go from here? What else is in store? What are we doing?

Have you ever asked yourself these questions in the midst of an epic journey you long will never end? True to form, however, we did not indulge these anxieties for too long and jumped head first back into the stream of consciousness that is the open road.

Merging onto the Five, we settled in for the longest stretch of Interstate driving so far on the trip. The goal was to buzz through Seattle (why navigate a city when there's mountains to be had?) and make it most of the way to Olympic National Park by the afternoon.

On an impulse I began searching for health food stores in the greater Seattle area that maybe carried a few coveted cooking items we'd ran out of. As serendipity would have it I found a Whole Foods on the corner of Denny and Westlake, exit 104. The driver was game, and it seemed easy enough to maneuver our 35ft rig down the city streets into the grocer's parking lot (the far and open end is a premium we're constantly in search of).

As we pulled off the exit, a gigantic REI loomed before us, and as any gear-worshipper would do, we re prioritized, confident that this installment would have just as roomy a lot as it's Denver counterpart. Oh wait... we're in a city.... as we passed the underground parking structure with 7 foot clearance. And again, as serendipity would have it, three blocks down was a space long enough for 4 cars- perhaps we are meant to stop here? "You know, I've always heard that the market in Seattle is amazing...." "You mean the one with all the fish?" "Yeah. Let's go check it out." "Can we walk from here?" "Oh, sure! It can't be that far...."

And it wasn't! Especially when you take the trolley... once you figure out which direction you want.... So here are Joe and I on the trolley going the wrong direction, (but getting a lovely tour of Seattle) down to one end and then back up to the other. Walking a few blocks amid sky scrapers and coutour shops, over a little crest of the hill with water glistening beyond.... then down the steep embankment and into the rainbow-strewn Pikes Peak Market. What a surprise! What a delight! The sights and smells, the art and music, we were in heaven! With a little lunch in the park at the end, watching chess hustlers and tugboats, and an incredible impromptu song from some local soul brothers (catch the link on FB), we were totally energized. How silly country mice are to write off the city so fast. Seattle we love you and we'll be back!
~Z~
p.s. the halibut we cooked for dinner was unparalleled!