The Market

On day three in Seattle, we started out with a visit to Pike Place Market (after sleeping in and eating a yummy breakfast courtesy of John and Wendi). Pike Place was fascinating. Lots and lots of people. Lots and lots of stuff for sale. We didn't buy a thing!

We parked at Wendi's office building (free parking again!!) and walked a few blocks to get down to the waterfront. She said because it was Sunday, the streets of downtown weren't very crowded. It looked like a lot of people to me, but I'm used to Cottonwood, Idaho!


This is the iconic fish stand where they throw the fish around. We didn't get to see much throwing because there weren't many customers buying anything. The guy in the foreground is throwing a crab to the guy in the middle here.

Looks pretty crabby!

They sell a little of everything at the market, but the best deal looked to be the fresh flowers, and they were everywhere!!! This bunch was only $15!! Aren't they purty?

Chase the Goose

The location of the Locks in Seattle had some very park-like surroundings. Where we parked the car (free parking--yippee!) there was a whole gaggle of geese! Nicole was determined to get to touch one.


They had no intention of cooperating with her plan!!

Ellea even got in on the action. Don't you love Nicole's technique. It's more hunchback of Notre Dame than goose-like! Luckily none of the geese were rabid or aggressive! They just calmly kept two steps ahead of her.

Seattle--Zoo, Last Time!

The zoo had a station where you could pay a dollar to buy a seed stick and feed the birds.

There were parrots and cocatiels and parakeets. The parakeets were the most eager to eat our seeds.

In fact, poor Ellea mustered enough courage to hold a seed stick (she's suspicious of animals attacking her), and while one parakeet was eating her seeds, another dive-bombed her! She was not impressed. It didn't help my cause in convincing her that most animals are harmless.

Another fabulous John Drake picture. Lions, tigers and bears, oh my!

And then there were the wolf and elk exhibits. We were convinced that these predator-prey creatures were in the same enclosure. We were impressed that they could feed the wolves enough to make them not attack the elk. Yeah, right. Turns out there is ditch between them that contains the fence. Seems cruel to make them live by such unnatural neighbors! Like making me live next to a chocolate factory with no access inside. Ugh. The trauma!!

Seattle--Zoo, again!

Morgan was determined to get a picture with the snake. Some big variety. I can't recall what it was called. A boa constrictor perhaps. You can barely see it behind the glass, but he's there!

The elephant took a stick in his trunk and threw it into the trees which knocked some leaves and branches onto the ground which he gobbled up. Pretty resourceful, if you ask me. I wish I could throw a stick at something to get food. Maybe I'll try that with Glenn. I have my doubts it will produce the desired effect.

Imagine that, another animal statue!

This was, by far, the best zoo picture. Of course, I didn't take, but it's still my favorite! Courtesy, John Drake. Again, with the camera-coveting!

Lookie here! Another statue. What's surprising is the kids didn't hesitate to pose at every single daggum statue! Are they well trained, or what?!!

Seattle--Zoo

We hadn't taken the kids to a zoo in a few years. I sure enjoyed the animals and I think they did too. I know Nicole did. At about 50% of the animals, she'd say, "Oh, I love this one. They're my favorite!"

I wish I could remember what kind of monkey-creature this is. He was sitting there looking at another lady when we walked up. Ellea sat down when she that lady left and he just stared at her. One of his eyes was cloudy. He must have a cataract. I love this picture (by John Drake--thanks!). You can hardly see the glass separating them.


Morgan took a turn sitting by the monkey, too.

The orangutans were funny. A caretaker gave them a paper cup with water and demonstrated how to drink out of it. This one carefully held it in her mouth while she climbed up on this platform then proceeded to pour out the water and eat the cup! The one in the background is already chowing down on his cup! Yummy snacks! Morgan said the male in the back had a face like a baseball mit! He really did. (As an aside: I used to pronounce it oragutanG, but there's no G. Just sharing!)

And, of course, we had to take a photo op with the monkey statue! (Another John Drake Photo.)

Many more to come of the kids with animal statues!!

Sorry. I can't help it. It's a disease.

Seattle--Woodland Park Zoo

The highlight of the Seattle trip was the Woodland Park Zoo. It's a delightful zoo with lots of animals and exhibits to check out. We spend a solid 3 hours there and were tired and cold, but if it wasn't closing time, we could've checked out a couple more things. The weather was delightfully sunny and beautiful. A person gets pretty lucky to visit Seattle and see barely a drop of rain this time of year. The vacation gods were surely smiling down on us. Or we just got lucky.



I spent most of the day coveting after John's beautiful Canon camera. I have a similarly beautiful Canon camera. But mine uses this prehistoric material called film. My parents got me that great camera when I graduated from high school. I will someday take the plunge and buy a newer, high-fangled digital version. Until then, I'm stuck with my point and shoot! John was gracious enough to send us home with a CD loaded with all his best zoo shots including the above family photo.

And this cool one of Glenn checking out the map. Thank goodness for our map.

Meerkats are so lovable looking. Doesn't he look like he'd make a great lap meerkat?(Photo courtesy John Drake.)

We were fascinated to watch this big guy chowing down on his dinner. He's cute in a dopey sort of way, don't you think? He looks like such a gentle giant, but hippos are actually considered to be one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Hard to believe an herbivore could be so nasty!

So, this is the closest I hope to ever get to one!!

Stay tuned if you're interested in more zoo photos. We (mostly John!) got so many great pics! If you're not interested, skip the next few days!!!