Small Town Shopping

On Saturday I traveled North with 'The Girls' to the small town of Snohomish, Washington to do a little shopping and antiquing. 

Snohomish (named after the native peoples of the area), was one of the first inland communities in the Puget Sound Region. 

Snohomish began in 1859 at the ferry crossing of the Snohomish River for the military road between Fort Steilacoom and Fort Bellingham. Connection to Puget Sound was along the river, first by canoe and then steamship, eventually replaced by rail. 

The primary industries were sawmills and agriculture processing plants from the crops grown in the adjacent  river valleys. 

It eventually suffered hard times when new highways bypassed the town and by the 1960's there was a proposal to replace many of the historic buildings with a mall. 

Fortunately, the city had no funds for urban renewal. 

In 1973, a 26 block area was designated as a Historic District on The National Register and it was marketed as The Antique Capital of The Northwest. 

This historic little town is still the place to go for shopping. 

Located right along the Snohomish River this charming town has lovely shops, cafes and beautiful scenery. 

This is the view from the window of a little cafe where we stopped for a bite. It was a warm day and the green water of the river flowed placidly by. 

An old train trestle crossed further downstream. 

Cattle grazed along the lush green banks and a boater launched from near the bridge. 

Small cafes had sidewalk tables with umbrellas. 

Vintage washing machines pose as planters outside an antique mall. 

Every shop had a unique style. 

What town would be complete without a cupcake shop? 

The sweet window display. 

Inside, you can see one of the many cyclists that came through town as part of a big cycling event. 

There were many cyclists on the beautiful country roads and in the town with their colorful gear. 

But our minds were on the shops! 

Beautiful shops lined the streets. 

Shabby Chic, French Country, Vintage, Cottage, Primitive style, Clothing boutiques, every kind of shop you could imagine. 

We were in shopper's paradise! 

This shop had large paper flowers suspended from the ceiling. 

And this little shop had me wishing I had some empty rooms! 

How sweet is that painted dresser? 

We really worked up an appetite! (Notice my plate is empty - he he)

From left, my son's fiancee Jen, me in the corner, cousin Shawnee, and my daughter, Heather. 

Rested and refreshed, we head back out to shop some more and spy this curious couple crossing the road. 

I couldn't tell you.........

But of course, time flies when you are having fun and soon it would be closing time. 

So we popped in to another little cafe' to refresh ourselves before the long drive home. 

Yum! 

One last shop allowed us inside and then we had to say goodbye. 

The back seat loaded with treasures, we set off for home. 

Don't you love the name on the silver bag? 

I bought two lovely blouses there. 

Goodbye sweet Snohomish! 

We had lots of fun! 

But the best part of all was spending the day with some of my favorite girls. 

I hope you had a lovely weekend, too! 

xoxo