Tag: Seattle

Get Your Rain Boots On…We’re Off to Seattle

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PhotoGirlTravels Seattle

Seattle is virtually the thumbtack that holds up the upper left-hand side of the United States. Nestled between the Olympic and Cascade Mountains, it’s a trendy city with a lot to do. I think the best place to start is Pike Place Market. But first we need to make a quick stop that involves caffeine…

Original Starbucks

…And what better place to go? The original Starbucks. Walking up to this small shop really makes you believe in the American dream. I know there are books written about their road to success, but truly it is amazing when you see it. I always get a grande in a vente since I require extra cream (and refuse to pour my precious coffee out or ask for “extra room”). Get whatever you’d like and then we’ll be on our way. The original Starbucks sits on the edge of Pike Place Market so it’s an easy walk from there.

PhotoGirlTravels Original Starbucks

Pike Place Market

From the original Starbucks we’ll head up the street to Pike Place Market. There are tons of shops outside of the market so we’ll take our time and check them out.

PhotoGirlTravels PikeMarket 2

One of my favorite stores is Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Shop where you can sample some pretty amazing cheese. Just drop down on a handy milk jug to enjoy some of their gourmet food.

photo 2  photo 3  PhotoGirlTravels PikeMarket Cheese

After our cheese tasting experience, we’ll cross the street over to the Market. Pike Place Market started because of the price of an onion in 1906. Long story short – onions were super expensive so the outraged citizens proposed a public street market that would connect farmers directly with consumers. On August 17, 1907 Pike Place Market was born. You cannot believe the incredible selection you’ll find of fresh produce, seafood, and other merchandise. There are restaurants with waterfront views inside the market too. Look for the fish throwers.  One guy stands out front by the customers, when you order he literally throws the fish back to another guy who wraps it up. A lot of fun for the on-lookers but I’m sure a lot of work for the doers.

44444  PhotoGirlTravels PikeMarket fish PhotoGirlTravels PikeMarket veggies PhotoGirlTravels PikeMarket veggies2

And in front of the fish throwers is Rachael the Pig which you have to take your picture on. If you’ve read any of my blogs you know I’m a huge bacon lover.  If you’d like to learn more about good ol Rachael here’s an earlier blog about her: http://photogirltravels.com/2013/02/04/me-and-rachel-the-pig/

PhotoGirlTravels Rachel the Pig

PhotoGirlTravels PikeMarket 1

More to come…

Next I’ll show you the Space Needle, Seattle Great Wheel, Chihuly Glass Exhibition (mind-blowing), the library (seriously, it’s impressive), we’ll don a bib eat a pile of seafood with an ice cold beer(s) and stay at the only hotel that literally sits on the water, the elegant Edgewater Hotel.  And finally, we’ll take the Ferry over to visit a few quaint coastal towns including Bainbridge Island and Gig Harbor.  Please click the follow button over on the right if you’d like to receive email notifications of these posts. I hope you’ll join me!

Handy Links

Original Starbucks: http://www.seattle.gov/html/visitor/starbucks.htm

Pike Place Market: http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/

Beecher’s Handmade Cheese: http://www.beechershandmadecheese.com/

Edgewater Hotel: http://www.edgewaterhotel.com/

Chihuly Glass Exhibition: http://www.chihulygardenandglass.com/

Me and Rachel the Pig

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PhotoGirlTravels Rachel the Pig

If you love bacon, then how can you not love pigs? Maybe that’s a contradictory idea, but I’ll throw it out anyway. When I mentioned I was going to Seattle on Facebook (www.facebook.com/photogirltravels.com), one of my dear friends Kathryn, begged me to sit on the pig. I had not heard of “the pig” but added it to my list of to-dos. While walking down Pikes Market I inquired about the pig. When I finally found her she was covered with small children – slipping and sliding off her round, plump body. In fact, you can see this is a common occurrence because the metal is worn to-a-shine from the bodies draped over her all… day… long. I had promised to climb aboard so shamelessly shewed the children off her back.  I must really love this friend because I tossed my germaphobic  tendencies out the door, and with some effort, climbed on up (she’s a slippery old thing)

After I got home I did a little research and here is what I found about that ol pig:

  • Her name is Rachel (Known to the locals as “Rachel the Pig” which makes total sense)
  • This little piggy gets to see it all, the flying fish, fresh produce, performing artists, runny noses, and a lot of rain (probably a good thing to wash all the germs off!)
  • She was actually hit by a car and had to be removed and repaired (poor Rachel). Thank heaven she was back in time for my trip.

All in all, she was a smooth ride….And sorry Rachel, even though you are pretty cute, I still love bacon…

Shadow Girl

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Photogirltravels.com shadow in Seattle_B

“…And if you really knew me you would know my soul is free; old and wise and peaceful, and where it longs to be.”  Shadow Girl   

Photo shot on balcony of Edgewater Hotel in Seattle Washington at sunset. Would you like a print? Please click on “Contact”. My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors and saturation are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.

©2013 Shelley D Spray – No content on this site (including all photography) may be reused in any fashion without written permission from the author.

Seattle Great Wheel!

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PhotogirlTravels_FerrisWheel_1_B

The Seattle Great Wheel is one of the most beautiful landmarks (next to the Space Needle) in Seattle, Washington. I actually didn’t know about the “wheel” until I arrived (sorry city of Seattle!). But you certainly can’t miss it. Its elegant and exquisite architecture graces the skyline of Elliot Bay. And in the evening, it lights up the sky as it slowly moves – around and around. Since the wheel was news to me, I did a little research and found these quick facts:

  • It stands 175 feet tall which makes it the largest observation wheel on the west coast. (That’s 29 of me stacked!)
  • There are 42 fully-enclosed gondolas which seat up to 8 people.
  • The wheel can hold over 300 passengers at any given time.
  • It was manufactured in various parts of the US and Europe and then assembled at the end of the pier.
  • It extends ~40 feet beyond the end of the pier, over Elliott Bay.
  • It’s open year round and the fully-enclosed gondolas allow you to ride it, even in the pouring rain.

While I’m working on my Seattle Blog I wanted to post a few pictures as a preview of this beautiful city. Stay tuned for the Seattle blog with more photos and fun travel tips to help ensure you have a fabulous time. (I’m propped in front of my computer – candle lite – typing away. It will go live by the end of the week!)

PS – Does anyone know how long the ride lasts? 😉

Would you like to purchase a print? Please click on “Contact”. My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors and saturation are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.

©2013 Shelley D Spray – No content on this site (including all photography) may be reused in any fashion without written permission from the author.

Seattle Washington – Preview to Our Next Trip!

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Seattle_Edgewater Hotel PhotogirlTravels Blog 1l

When you think of Seattle a lot of images come to mind. The Space Needle, Pike’s Market, a fabulous cup of coffee…and…well rain. With respects to the rain, you’re right, there is a silent battle between the clouds, rain and the sun. In Seattle, the sun is not the incredible warrior like it is in California, where it wins almost every battle. Here, the clouds and the rain rule. But after being here for a few days, I believe it makes you appreciate the sun even more, when it finally fights its way through the clouds. This photo was taken two nights ago. In the morning it was raining and I splashed my way around town. But mid-day, the sun came out, transforming the city into vibrant colors. When I shot this picture, I was standing on the balcony at the Edgewater Hotel, watching the seagulls and sipping a glass of local wine. Along with the incredible view, what I remember most were the seagulls -gracefully floating around; wings stretched so wide it almost made me feel like I could jump on board.

In my upcoming blogs on Seattle we’ll tour the city; I’ll take you to all of the classic places (Pike’s Market, the Space Needle) along with showing you some well kept secrets. Then we’ll head off on a road trip that will take us off the beaten path. Driving along backroads, we’ll visit Gig Harbor, the quaint town of Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island. Get ready for some incredible views, quaint harbors dotted with boats, shopping and some great seafood. Click the official FOLLOW button over to the right and you’ll receive these posts by email.

Would you like to purchase a print? Please click on “Contact”. My photography is printed on aluminum. Utilizing an advanced process which infuses dyes directly into the metal, the colors and saturation are really amazing. In addition, your print will be displayed using mount blocks which float the image ½ inch off the wall.

©2013 Shelley D Spray – No content on this site (including all photography) may be reused in any fashion without written permission from the author.