Snohomish Washington Public Market and Wine Cellars of Washington

    We love how during the summertime people are encouraged to visit farmers' markets and support local businesses--get fresh produce and buy crafts from local artists. But once winter hits much of that mentality is lost because most of the markets close down for the season. Up until recently, we didn't think there was a farmers' market-like place we could go in the winter...that's why we were so excited to learn about the indoor Washington Public Market that runs every Saturday and Sunday in downtown Snohomish.

This was one of our favorite displays: Nostalgic Bay had a wonderful collection of enchanting merchandise

The Market

    The market features local businesses with vendors who sell everything from handcrafted jewelry to handmade alpaca clothing to Washington wine to truffles. The market just started up in November of 2011, so if you haven't heard of it, you're not alone. We were impressed by the variety of items of the nearly 100 vendors and artists at the market--we spent several hours browsing around admiring it all. 

Alpaca critters--all are irresistibly soft--you can't help but pet them

It's All Here

    The Snohomish Market is a one stop-shop. You'll find antiques, gifts, massively discounted new furniture, cooking shows, people spinning alpaca wool to make yarn, and 25 Washington wine vendors selling one-of-a-kind wines from all over Washington. It's best to not be in a rush when you visit so you can take it all in, so feel free to spend your afternoon there so you have time for it all--especially the wine...

You'll find a variety of flavors among these wineries--here's Scott after talking with Pat with Elevation Cellars

The Wineries

   Since the Wine Cellars of Washington features 25 wine cellars all in the same building, you're in for a real treat. For $5.00 a person, you can get access to all 25 wine cellars and the best part is, you can cycle back through as many times as you want in a day because you're given a bracelet for the entire afternoon. This allows you to explore lots of flavors, explore more of Snohomish and the market, and then come back to enjoy all of your favorite wines from before. Take note that the $5.00 is a door fee and some of the tasting stands charge an additional dollar to taste their wines. Whether you're tasting the complimentary wines that some stands have to offer or you pay the additional $1.00 for other wines, the overall cost to you is so much less than if you go to most other tasting rooms around the area. Plus, if you buy any bottle you get your 5 bucks back. 

You never know what kinds of goodies you'll find at the Washington Public Market in Snohomish

    The Washington Public Market and Wine Cellars of Washington is a fantastic place to spend an any kind of day, especially a rainy one!

Some of the Artists:

Eclectic Treasures -- Inspiring glass treasures that serve great as gifts.

Elevation Cellars -- One of the 25 cellars you'll find, with fantastic wine and very friendly people.

Nostalgic Bay -- "Supplies the unusual and the unique," definitely worth checking out.

Silver Wears -- Beautiful pieces of jewelry, many made from silver that you wouldn't expect to see...

Creative Jewelry By Martin -- Martin has a variety of lovely jewelry and some very neat steampunk-inspired gadgets and jewels.

Things To Know:

• The Washington Public Market is open every weekend: Saturdays 10am to 6pm and Sundays 10am to 5pm
• The Wine Cellars of Washington is featured at the market every weekend as well: Saturdays 12:30pm to 6pm and Sundays 12:30pm to 5pm
• This is a relaxing and fun way to spend an afternoon with family and/or friends
• Snohomish is located just east of Everett

Address:

    1010 & 1011 2nd Street

    Snohomish, WA 98290
    (888) 415-9567

License plate signs, made from license plates from lots of different states--too cool

Let us know what your favorite part of the market is!

Head on out Around Puget Sound...and Beyond

Yellowstone Trail: Seattle to Boston -- Red Brick Road Redmond, WA

    Not long ago, we were talking with one of our neighbors about the adventures we've gone on for our blog. His excitement level began to rise as the conversation continued because he hadn't heard of many of the places we had blogged about. After saying, "Thanks for the tips," he started wracking his brain to think of cool places that he's heard of in our area, but has never checked out during his 40 years of living in the Washington State.
   The destination he thought of sounded more like a myth than something that could have actually existed. "The Yellowstone Trail," he said, "I think it's out in Duvall somewhere, but I've never gone. Supposedly back in the early 1900's the road went all the way from here to Yellowstone National Park." Our eyes lit up, but with some skepticism. How could, and why would, there be a trail going from Seattle to Yellowstone Park at that point in history? We were determined to find answers, and thus began our Yellowstone Trail journey.

Map of the Yellowstone Trail, credited to the Yellowstone Trail Association

The History of the Route

    Through the wonders of the internet, we learned that the Yellowstone Trail was indeed real, and not only did it go from Seattle to Yellowstone National Park, but all the way to Boston Massachusetts. It was the first automobile road in the northern part of the United States that went from coast to coast. The trail was formed in 1913 and was active until about 1930. The Yellowstone Trail was made possible by a grassroots organization, called the Yellowstone Trail Association, which was made up a group of mid-westerners who were tired of not having good, all-weather government roads to use. Together, they pressured the government to create better roads as cars became more popular. Decision-makers came to the conclusion that having a national route that took drivers through the scenic Yellowstone National Park made the most sense. (Learn more from the active members of the Yellowstone Trail Association.)  

The one-mile authentic remnant of the Yellowstone Trail in Redmond, WA

The Yellowstone Trail Today

    We set out on a cloudy wet winter morning to the historical trail with our jackets and chocolate lab. Google Maps and Bing informed us that we were looking for Red Brick Road (196th NE Ave.) in Redmond, just off of Redmond/Fall City Rd--does Red Brick Rd. remind you of The Wizard of Oz? Yeah, it did for us too. As we came into the valley after driving through downtown Redmond, we knew we had almost arrived when we spotted an old farm house we'd seen in a photo online taken in 1975 of the trail--the same farm house still remains today.

    We chose to drive the authentic Red Brick Road first, as it's only a mile long at this point. While bumping along we imagined what it would have been like to be on this exact route in a Model T nearly 100 years ago. The road still maintains the same speed limit as it did back in 1913--25 mph, and we have to tell you, even in today's cars, on a brick road, 25 mph seems pretty fast! We enjoyed the countryside: the horses, donkeys, Great Blue Heron, miniature horses, wetlands, and farm houses. It really is scenic. The rest of the Yellowstone Trail technically still exists, but the majority of the other portions have been repaved and turned into highways and residential streets. 

The Red Brick Rd. really is quite picturesque as you drive along--that's golden grass in a nature preserve in the background

    When you arrive, breath in the country-fresh air and wrap your mind around the history. This was the only way to travel from Seattle to the East Coast nearly a century ago. 

The only identifying sign you'll find at the Yellowstone Trail landmark in Redmond

It Was Worth It
    After driving the trail, we jogged it with our dog, who decided that this was an extra-specially good idea. We enjoyed taking the Yellowstone Trail at a slower pace and thoroughly appreciating the scenery around us. When the road turned back into asphalt, we have to admit, we weren't ready for it. You just can't find brick roads around here, and certainly not with this kind of history. The Yellowstone Trail marks an important time in the development of our country's highway system and it's just outside the city. You don't always have to go far to find something new and different.

Our chocolate lab after our jog, loving the trail and loving the exercise

Things To Know:

• To find the Yellowstone Trail: Turn left off of Redmond Way (Highway 202) going toward Fall City onto NE 196 NE Ave. (or Red Brick Rd.) the trail will connect you to NE Union Hill Rd.
• There is one small historical landmark sign that you might miss if you aren't looking for it, right after the road turns into a brick road
• You can drive, ride your bike, walk, or jog on the trail
• The brick road portion of the trail is one-mile long

Bring your dog and go enjoy the historic Yellowstone Trail

Not many people know the Yellowstone Trail exists--go make it your own!

Head on out Around Puget Sound...and Beyond