Mukilteo Musings

Kalakala Watch The old ferry is now docked in Neah Bay--just a note about Neah Bay: This is the Makah reservation; we have been there a couple of times and it is truly one of the most gorgeous places on this entire earth. You can take a hike out to this point and see where the Pacific Ocean batters the most northwestern tip of our entire country (besides Alaska). The blue-green waves and the cliffs and the rocks just give you the willies--absolutely spectacular. Anyway, a burger place in Neah Bay has named a burger the "Kalakala" as a welcome.

Fancy Grocery Stores

I have no idea if this is a Seattle thing or not--probably not but I am sure we have put our own twist on the phenomenon. It all started with Larry's markets about 20 years ago. I do believe it was a way to bring Pike Place Market to areas outside of downtown. Larry's no longer exists but in its place in several areas are stores called Central Market and another called Metropolitan Market. Another place is called Whole Foods and we have a smaller place (though the same idea) between Mukilteo and Edmonds called Food Emporium. These stores are not part of national chains like Albertson's or Safeway. In addition, the Seattle area has dozens of food specialty stores which are featured in this month's Seattle Magazine.

These places have an incredible array of flowers (like Pike Place Market); and unbelievable display of fresh produce (like Pike Place Market); a fabulous seafood market (like Pike Place); meat counter (like Pike Place); and a to die for bakery (like Pike Place). In addition, there is a kitchen gift store with upscale items and usually a Starbuck's. Yesterday, a couple of friends and I traveled quite a distance in the Seattle area to shop at two of these places and we had the best time. I stood and stared at the seafood being placed on display--huge fillets of gorgeous dark pink King salmon at least 4 feet long!! And of course, Dungeness crabs were everywhere.

We decided this was so much fun that we would make it a regular outing! It is also an excuse to see the multitude of Seattle's fascinating individual neighborhoods.