Wandering Seattle’s Waterfront
A Sunday stroll through the Pike Market and along Alaskan Way
A Sunday stroll through the Pike Market and along Alaskan Way
It was a glorious Sunday; mid-April as Liddy and I began an adventure into the wilds of Seattle. Daffodils and tulips are popping out in all their glory.
The past six months have been a wee bit of a challenge because of health issues. I managed to survive the Pandemic only to experience a valve job in November and the insertion of a small spark plug this month. No roving expeditions to the wilds of Montana or Utah for me this spring. While this old bag of bones gets used to its new parts, Liddy and I will be enjoying places closer to home.
This past weekend, for example, Liddy and I left the Prius at the SeaTac Park and Ride. We jumped on a Link Light Rail train, taking it north to Westlake Station. Westlake is in the heart of Seattle and is a convenient place to begin wandering. Lots of shops if you are into that. The monorail terminal is part of Westlake Center and can be ridden to Seattle Center where the Space Needle, Experience Music Project and Climate Pledge Arena are located.
I had already decided to go down to the waterfront. Armed with my Canon R6, sporting a 35 mm lens, I was looking for some interesting subjects. Perhaps some street photography, or simply photos for a travel essay.
From Westlake, we strolled west along Pine and on reaching 1st, turned south towards Metsker Maps, located between Pine and Pike Streets on 1st Avenue. I have been wanting to explore the shop to see how extensive their collections of maps and other products they offer. I found they have an extensive array of travel books as well as maps for most anywhere in the world.
Liddy was noticed and spoiled by the staff (owners?) with biscuits and attention. She loves to go shopping. (I don’t wonder why.)
Pike Market Entrance
From Metsker Maps we continued south on 1st, restraining the urge to enjoy a snack at The Crumpet Shop. Taking a few steps further and rounding the corner onto Pike Street, we arrived at the Iconic Pike Place Market.
Just inside the market entrance, on the left, is the Pike Place Fish Market. This is the home of the famous flying fish. When things get a bit slow, market staff will pick up a salmon, shout and fling that salmon across the shop to another associate. Not quite like a basketball game, but close. Some poor salmon might fly across the shop several times. This, of course, causes excitement and cheers from the spectators which, in turn, draws in more potential customers. Usually, some members of the crowd will purchase a slightly abused (tenderized?) salmon.
Not The Pike Place Fish Market, but another one of the number of fishmongers in the market. I really like stuffed salmon cooked on the bar-b-que. Perhaps I will pick one up for a celebration this summer. I’m drooling just thinking about it.
This day was, as I said, in mid-April. A bit early for the crush of crowds you may find at the market, but just right for the spring flowers. Like myself, many people were capturing the dizzying display of colours. Some even walked away with pretty bouquets in their hand.
It was hard not to notice this well-dressed young lady and her companion enjoying the display of flowers. I’m always interested in other people with cameras and how they take advantage of a situation for good shots. Can you say Instagram? I’m quite happy with this shot of the couple chimping their camera. Engrossed in their shots and discussing how to improve them no doubt. I like the way I caught them framed between two ladies strolling up the aisle.
Liddy and I crossed through the market to the west side where we were able to view some of the construction happening along Alaskan Way.
As you can see big changes are happening here. Back in 2019, the Alaskan Way Viaduct was removed as the Highway 99 Tunnel had recently opened and now takes the Viaduct traffic under the Seattle Waterfront. There is going to be huge amounts of open space with great views of the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Exciting.
Liddy and I found our way down to the stairs of the Pike Street Hill Climb.
The Pike Street Coffee Shop is tucked in under the stairs and Liddy was telling me it was time for a drink so we went in.
An interesting gentleman was sitting in a corner of the shop. He was neatly framed by the windowpane in front of him. I couldn’t bring myself to shoot him and capture the moment because I felt I would be intruding on his moment.
In retrospect, I should have taken the shot and then used that as an excuse to introduce myself and perhaps strike up a conversation. Until I can figure out how I want to deal with these opportunities — build up my confidence — I will not feel that I am an accomplished street photographer.
A portrait of Liddy will have to do.
Having enjoyed our refreshments at the coffee shop, we ambled down to Alaskan Way. There is so much construction activity here.
In addition to creating new pedestrian causeways, connecting Pike Place Market to the waterfront, the city has had to replace the pier that was Waterfront Park. This park is located between the Seattle Aquarium and Seattle’s Great Wheel. It is a popular place on days like today. On a sunny summer day, you might be musicians or other entertainers performing here. Hopefully, the rebuilt park will be ready to go before the tourist season gets into full swing.
Looking south you will see the arches over Lumen Field and the Marion Street pedestrian causeway. The causeway is located at the Coleman Docks Ferry Terminal. You can take a sea cruise from here across Puget Sound to Bainbridge Island, or Bremerton, on a Washington State Ferry.
Turn around and look north, you see the construction along the waterfront and the causeways that will connect Pike Place Market to the wide promenade that Alaskan Way is becoming.
I am very excited about the changes to the Seattle Waterfront. There are so many interesting sites to see, and world-class restaurants to enjoy. So much space has been provided for people to walk along the waterfront. We chose to use the Marion Street Causeway to cross Alaskan Way so that I could take advantage of the view.
I think the changes we saw on our wander are great. I think they will improve Seattle’s reputation as a walkable city, making it a world-class place to visit.
The world is a beautiful place. Share the beauty. Leave only footsteps.