Puyallup Farmer's Market

I got into the habit of walking regularly while getting into shape for the "Sound to Narrows" 12k annual run/walk that was held June 12th this year. We would meet and walk the Chamber's Bay Links on Wednesdays after work and Saturday mornings we would walk the 5 mile drive at Point Defiance. Now that it's over I wanted to continue the tradition but decided to make it a little more interesting by including the exploration of local Farmer's Markets.
I started this adventure last weekend in Puyallup. I had no walking plan but thought I could walk the area around the market or the neighborhood but was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was Meeker Days and the entire Main street was filled with booths, art and fair rides. It made for a very interesting walk as there was sooooo much to see!
I did the regulation 5 miles and continued on to the market.
The Puyallup Farmer's Market is one of my favorites as I have been shopping for my veggies here for about 20 years! It was just a small market back then. Every summer when my family would visit from Las Vegas we would head out early every Saturday morning. The market has changed so much since then - it has grown from several local farmers to a huge fair filled with flowers, art, food, and of course veggies galore. They now have a permanent structure that holds about 15 to 20 vender's that sell everything from yummy sweet rolls, salmon, jewelry, handmade doggy wear to potpourri. This structure is nice when it's pouring down rain and the bonus is a very clean restroom just inside the door.
The park is filled with flowers - big beautiful bouquets for $15.00 or potted plants ranging from garden vegetables to rose bushes and big beautiful hanging baskets - (these are my favorite areas). This is where you want to buy your herbs and tomato plants as they have just been potted for sale that morning.
Art is in abundance - things like bird houses, carved bears and yard art, hand painted tiles, hand made jewelry, pottery, clothing, water colors, and photography. The most interesting, I thought, was the painted and shellacked gourds. The artist has carved a design in the skin of the gourd and painted them with beautifully tinted stains then sealed them with a shiny coating. I mean just beautiful!
Food is everywhere! Barbecued ribs fill the air with the sweet smell that only it can. You can get anything from hot Fair Scones to Burritos, Pad Thai, Roasted Corn on the Cob, Lattes, Philly Steak Sandwiches, Ice Cream, Strawberry Shortcake, and Elephant Ears. There's more but I think you get the picture.
The reason I have returned all these years is, there is no better eating than fresh organic fruits, herbs and vegetables. I have a ritual that I do most weekends - it starts with going to the market and picking out my weeks bounty. When I bring it home, I clean and prepare everything for the week so that when I get home from a long day at work, everything is ready to go - Life is so simple.