I have several friends who are from the Seattle area and I was strongly advised that one simply could not travel to Seattle and not go to visit the Pike Place Public Market in downtown Seattle.

This fish market in Pike Place Public Market is famous for throwing the fish from vendor to vendor in preparation for wrapping you "catch of the day".

The market is several floors of bustle, vendors, stalls, sights, sounds and aromatic smells with many visitors throughout finding great food and wonderful gifts and treasures.

Here are some hot chili peppers.

Alternative downtown transportation for all occasions.

Rennie and her son Ben. This was in the evening as we were preparing to board the decorated Official Christmas Ship Spirit of Seattle, leading the Christmas Ship parade from downtown Seattle’s dock 55, decked out in colorful lights and Christmas pageantry for the Festival of Lights Christmas Ship tour of the Seattle harbor and local area. A local featured choir on the ship sings 20-minute programs at scheduled shoreside locations. The choir is broadcast over state-of-the-art speaker systems, letting those on shore join in the festivities. Onboard, Santa mingles with guests, spreading cheer. Certain holiday activities keep guests entertained between choral performances: sing-a-longs, a "Ho-Ho-Ho" contest, a children's activity corner, and the camaraderie that the holiday spirit brings out.

A Christmas tree was brightly lit and decorating the top deck of the Spirit of Seattle. Out in the harbor, it was a very bone chilling cold crisp December evening.

One of the many Christmas Ship parade participants following our offical lead ship, the Spirit of Seattle.

The view of the Seattle night skyline with decorated Christmas ships in the harbor and the beautiful sounds of a local childrens choir singing Christmas songs was absolutely magnificent.

Ben participated in a "who has a deep belly laugh HO, HO, HO" contest with some of the rest of the children aboard the cruise.

While on the upper deck taking in the beautiful sights of the Seattle skyline, a couple of laps around the Christmas tree to get warm is not a bad idea...

Caught by Mom....

What a view...

The childrens choir put on a spectacular performance singing Christmas carols that is shared over the loud speakers with the other Christmas ships in the parade.

At one of the shore locations, a large group gathers and lights a bon fire to keep cozy, sing Christmas songs and share the spirit of Christmas. Upon arrival of the Spirit of Seattle and the rest of the ships in the parade, the on board children’s choir gets to treat the folks on shore to a Christmas serenade of songs. At the end of each song, lights in the homes on shore flash as applause for the beautiful music.

The classif skyline speaks for itself - everyone can recognize the lights of the Seattle Space Needle...

The following day, we drive away from Seattle across Snoqualmie Pass and towards the beauty of the Cascades mountains.

Our destination for the day is Leavenworth, Washington a small town nestled into a valley in the Cascade Mountains. Leavenworth is a classically Bavarian-styled village in its alpine setting, complete with Tudor-work, window boxes and medieval decorations. On the day we have arrived, the town draws a large crowd for its Christmas Lighting ceremony and its wonderful Christmas market.

Classic Bavarian architecture lines the streets.

A typical German Blaskapelle seranades visitors with autentic German music.

A Bavarian Santa Claus greets folks in the streets.

At night, the magic begins as the town is transformed with lights and revelry.

One of the most important features - a sledding hill for all of the kids to enjoy amongst the lights, music and festivity.

Its truly a winter wonderland of lights, sights and sounds that bring out the Christmas spirit of joy and peace on earth.

The last day of my visit includes a quiet scenic drive in the countryside towards Mount Ranier. The scene from the mountain is crisp and beautiful.

A stop at an overlook affords us the attempt at a photo using the timer on the camera.

A rustic location, the Copper Creek Inn on the road to Mount Ranier beckons us to stop for a wonderful cup of coffee and a slice of homemade pie. The countryside is beautiful though overcast this day.

I had a wonderful opportunity to meet Rennie and we had a fantastic time in our whirlwind sightseeing of Seattle Washington and its great scenic locations.