Monday, June 10, 2013

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

26 comments:

  1. glad the little shops and quaint touches of the town were saved. :)

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  2. This looks like such a fun day - and treasures, too! Perfect!

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  3. Looks like a fun day with the girls! I'm so glad they didn't replace the historic buildings with a mall.

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  4. Sounds like a fantastic day! What a charming small town!

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  5. I think it was for the better that the town didn't have funds for renewal. It left them with a lovely and quaint little oasis!
    So glad you had a wonderful time! Lovely girls!

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  6. What a fun day - and now we want to see the lovely things you bought.

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  7. Sounds like you had a great time and what a sweet little place to spend a day .
    Merle.............

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  8. Dearest Karen,
    The best is indeed that this towns history got preserved! The USA has so little history and why get rid of it for yet another shopping mall. This is far more intimate and inviting.
    Hugs to you and so glad you had great quality time with some of your girls.
    Mariette

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  9. Hi Karen, What a funny day and What a place to go on shopping! So glad for you! I see that all of you have had a fantastic day, Thanks for sharing it!

    Marina

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  10. What a quaint little town with so many wonderful shops. I see you have numerous shopping bags :-) Glad you had a day with the girls.

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  11. What a perfect and picturesque little small town to spend such a beautiful day in :) thank you for taking us along with you

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  12. What a lovely place to spend the day!

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  13. I love small towns like this one - so many photo ops!

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  14. Hello Ms. Karen,

    What a beautiful day and beautiful place. Especially the white vintage shop!! is very darling. It really attractive to my eyes *wink* :)

    your girls are so beautiful, especially you! you look brighter there.

    and yes I love small town :)

    Blessing,

    Delvalina

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  15. Sounds like a perfect day! I wish I could have come along with all of you:)

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  16. I love days like this...finding sweet shops and enjoying the day with those you love!!

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  17. How refreshing to see individual shops that are not tied into these huge corporations. Just beautiful and if I could, I would be right there and living around the corner. Thanks for taking us along. Chel x

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  18. What a charming wee town! I've never been to Snohomish but I should add it to my list. I'm so glad you had a fun time out with your girls. Also, thanks for answering my question about the roses and the fuschia. I came across some rosa rugosa recently and thought of you! Such a gorgeous scent.

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  19. What a wonderful way to spend the day! You all look so happy from your shopping and dining adventure. I love Snohomish and was amazed at all the little shops, antique malls, and restaurants. Thanks for sharing your fun day.

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  20. Oh Snohomish is where I would love to go the shops look just like somewhere I would find something unusual and special. I love little towns like that.
    I am so glad you had a incredible "Girls" Day. B

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  21. Those shops look awesome! Perfect way to spend a day with some good friends or family members. I've never heard of Snohomish so it was neat to learn a bit of the history. Looks like you guys had a good time! :)

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  22. I had no idea about this sweet little town -- Boy, wouldn't be grand to take a trip there -- I bet my sisters would go crazy with me to enjoy all those shops.. Gotta let them know of such a place! Great photos and I was given an old washing machines like the one in your photo from my grandma -- I don't have it any more - it was sold with one of many of our homes years ago..Enjoyed your post..lovely photos of the country side..and history - thanks
    Hugs

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  23. Girls and shopping, there's always a good story in that! ;-)
    Looks like a great day out!

    Sincerest greetings from the Netherlands,
    DzjieDzjee

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  24. That looks like an absolute perfect way to spend the day... Also, I want to live in a town like that -beautiful-!

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  25. Lovely town and post! Looks like you were all having a great time...

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  26. I want to go, I want to go! <3

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Thank you for stopping by! Your comments are important to me and are very much appreciated. xx Karen

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