"The kids want to go to the fair," Lisa told me, as we planned my trip to Seattle during the weekend of September 17. What a great idea! We ended up visiting two fairs--the Farmer's Market at Issaquah, near Lisa's home, and the Washington State Fair at Puyallup, near Tacoma. The Farmer's Market at Issaquah was full of delights. The kids posed near the Pigmobile, at the entrance to the Market. We surveyed the ethnic food, from a leg of lamb shaved for Greek gyros... 
to a German bakery, where we sliced a cinnamon roll and a fruit tart into pieces and shared.
Lisa and I sampled Ethiopian sambusas--deep-fried dough triangles, stuffed with salmon. I never tasted salmon in land-locked Ethiopia! This was a Northwestern version of traditional Ethiopian food.
The flowers and vegetables at the Issaquah market were brighter and bigger than those at the Salt Lake City farmer's market, although we had to hunt to find a melon as sweet as the Green River melons in Utah.
Spencer and Grant helped with the picture-taking.
Grant, Spencer, and Michael got into the Washington State Fair free by wearing their Scout shirts.
Michael and Spencer already have their Eagle awards and Grant is all done and just waiting for his award ceremony. The big kids and little kids split up at the midway. Michael, Spencer, Grant, and Kirsten headed for the dizzying rides, like this one, that swung them around and around in a high circle.
Bryce and Alyssa came with Lisa and me on the gondola, riding high above the carnival rides, and looking down at the huge ferris wheel.
We stopped for a root beer float...
before joining the big kids to watch the 4-H dog show.
We all had our favorites. Grant liked the black poodle...
and my favorite was the gray schnauzer.
We were all charmed by the spaniel who wandered off the walking track, nearly ran into a pillar, and collapsed on the ground, with his rear end to the audience, as soon as he had been put through his paces!
Spencer and Grant led us to the barbecue pit, where we shared platters of ribs, chicken, and corn.
We also watched a display of horse teams, including both huge Clydesdales and tiny Shetland ponies. They dashed around the arena, turning tight corners.
Lisa and I took Bryce and Alyssa to the petting zoo...
the merry-go-round at Sillyville...
and our favorite, the pigs and piglets at the Pig Palace.
On Sunday, we dressed in our best clothes for church, and then finished my visit with a traditional Sunday dinner. We ate the fresh produce we found at the Farmer's Market--fresh corn, fresh tomatoes, fresh peaches--and we talked about our adventures at the fair. Next time Lisa says, "The kids want to go to the fair," I'm grabbing a plane ticket and heading for Seattle, fast! 
3 comments:
So much fun! We also miss the Flindts. Thank you for all of the photos of our favorite North Westerners!
What a fun time. All the food looked great. As far as the dogs go, my pick was the spaniel.
Gretta,
You are truely a "Great" grandmother. I am sure they all just enjoy the ride when grandma comes to town
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