Guess where I was last week? I'll give you a subtle little hint.
Here's another clue.
Twenty year ago, I lived two hours north of Seattle on Whidbey Island. We went back last week for a reunion on Mercer Island. One of my favorite places to always visit is Pike Place Market. I love the flowers and the vegetables. It never disappoints.
http://www.pikeplacemarket.org/
What I love to see when I visit a location is the attention that is given to beautification of public areas. It is such a visual joy to go to a town or city that has hanging baskets of flowers on every light pole. It seems that when I travel I notice that more attention is being placed on landscape beautification at street corners, in front of shops, at building marquees, etc. Even in a bad economy, this budget doesn't look like it was cut. The unique thing about Pike Place Market is that these floral planters are put at the roofline. The plants are in their full glory of color and look so healthy. I don't know who the caretakers are or how they reach them to plant, fertilize and water the planters at that elevation, but they are magnificent. So beautiful they almost don't look real. Beautiful job - Bravo - to whoever planned, installed and maintains this floral project. Thank you for giving me such visual joy.
These planters are in full public view but don't interfere with the pedestrians on the crowded streets.
These are outside a second floor restaurant.
These planter boxes are no small project. They run along the rooflines of the walkways for several blocks on both sides of the street. When the planter boxes stop, hanging baskets every few feet begin.
The hanging baskets hang down about three feet. They are just incredible. Street musicians always draw a huge crowd.
Pike Place Market has a variety of things for sale -- fish, flowers and plants, vegetables, seasonal items, etc. There are restaurants and shops on the surrounding blocks, including the original Starbucks.
I can find beauty everywhere. The fruit and vegetable displays look like works of art.
The colors in these Cherries are just an eye full.
Washington's Ranier cherries.
I'm easy to please. I can find beauty in a simple pile of onions.
My real joy, though, is to walk through the flower stalls. You can purchase big full bouquets of flowers for $10 or $15. The bouquets are so huge I don't see how they can grow them, take them to market and make a profit when they charge so little. It does make it affordable to always have flowers in your home if you live close by.
Dahlias are in season and the flower stalls were full of all colors and varieties.
Look how large these bouquets are! Here are photos of some of my favorites. Dahlias, Lilies, Sunflowers, Delphinium --well I probably love most all flowers.
Isn't that Dahlia just magnificent?
These always remind me of the Delphiniums my Mother grew in Idaho.
I am in awe of how perfect Mother Nature can make these. They just take my breath away.
These Lilies are just perfection. I don't know how they could be any prettier.
Oh, be still my heart! Just fabulous.
It just wouldn't be a visit to Pike Place if I didn't show you some fish. The fishmongers were not "flying" the fish when I was there. Maybe the crowd wasn't big enough for such entertainment.
While in Seattle, you might want to visit the Science Fiction Museum. The roof of the building is certainly an eye-catcher.
And take a ride on a Duck.
And my parting photo has to be a water scene:
Ahhhhhhhh, Seattle. You are beautiful indeed.
If you don't live close by, I hope you can visit soon.
All the best,
Summer Day
Photo Credits: All Swede
