Field Trips   

What is the lasting appeal of the Pike Place Market? With over 500 small businesses, 400 residents, and 20 million visitors a year, the Market is Seattle’s original ‘intentional community’. Come join the Friends of the Pike Place Market (FOM) advocacy group and learn about one of the oldest and largest continuously operating public markets in the country.

During the period of explosive growth in 1960’s Seattle, an intrepid group of preservationist activists fought to save a tremendously important cultural resource. More than 50 years later, the iconic Pike Place Market survives and continues to grow. Home to a vibrant community of entrepreneurs, craftspeople, buskers, farmers, workers, and residents and a network of essential services.

This talk & tour includes a one-hour deep dive into the unique history and context of ‘the Soul of Seattle’ followed by a walking tour of the art, architecture, and community calling the Market home. Pike Place Market is a neighborhood that rewards curiosity. Boost your local knowledge and see if you can find something new!

While Denny Hill may be the most famous regrade in Seattle's history, it was neither the largest nor the deepest. Completed between 1907 and 1909, the Jackson Street Regrade altered the greatest number of surface acres in a single project. On this 1.8 mile walk, we will travel the lesser known Jackson and Dearborn regrades, as well as explore the International District and lasts between 90-120 minutes, depending on how many questions you ask.

The tour will meet on the southwest side of the intersection of South Jackson Street and 2nd Avenue Extension South. This is near a plaza connected to and on the side of King Street Station/Amtrak Station. 

We have photographed at Kubota Gardens and the Seattle Japanese Garden as part of this ongoing series. Now we turn to another gem with glorious structures - pavilions, leak windows, hallways, courtyard, wood working and stone work, plus plantings: the Seattle Chinese Garden in West Seattle. We will meet to photograph together at a glorious time of year, then share selects for feed-back to hone our skills and make our future work even better.

Session 1: photograph as a group on location at the Garden
Session 2: a Zoom share for feedback session

For all skill levels using any camera - including one that happens to make phone calls, whether you joined us for one or both of the past workshops in the series or not.

Did you know there is a fine native plant garden right in Seattle’s Magnuson Park? It’s on land managed by the Mountaineers near the climbing rocks and stewarded by WA Native Plant Society. Join me for a few short forays to explore a few of Puget Sound’s most striking wildflowers.

March 26, 10:30—11:45AM. Early spring trout lilies. Followed by a saunter over to the children’s garden to see the male pussy willows in bloom!

April 16, 10:30—11:45AM. Fringecups and mid season color. And saunter back to the children’s garden to see the female pussy willows in bloom. Yes, there are separate male and female willow trees!

May 14, 10:30—11:45AM. Late spring glory—see native shrubs show off!