The Evergreen State

I have lived in this state for 15 years and I am always amazed by the beauty of this state. No matter if you go to the Olympics, the Cascades or to the eastern side of Washington there is always something new to see and appreciate. I am constantly traveling to towns, cities and/or islands in the Puget Sound that may or may not be popular -- for instance, one of my favorite spots is Whidbey Island. This Island reminds me a little bit of home (rural Oregon), vastly untouched but still beautiful to walk through the towns and then when you head to the coast you are just enamored by the beaches.

This lighthouse was on one of the San Juan Islands (above picture) where we watched whales frolicking in the water and having a grand ol' time! Mt. Baker(below)! It just goes to show that on a clear crisp beautiful day, you can see how much beauty there is.

(below) The lodge on Mt. Rainier. Before visiting this mountain as an adult I can't remember if it was overran by tourists and/or backpackers. But as an adult, each year I go back it has become more and more popular, and the once deserted paths are now beaten down by hundreds of footsteps trudging along and trying to climb the highest peak.

It snowed last winter (2017) -- I love how snow makes everything pure and innocent. This is the road that led down to my house. It was around 9pm, and the snow lit my way home. It was glorious to have a winter wonderland in the city of Olympia.

There are two spots to Lena Lake: Lower Lena and Upper Lena. Lower Lena is how far I have gotten on several journeys. This pathway is always filled with day hikers, overnighters and backpackers that even go further than Upper Lena Lake. Maybe one day, I will go up to Upper Lena for it is steeper and less traveled on. But first, I got get in more hiking so my legs can be fit for these kinds of adventures!

The Tieton River (above) that flows into the Naches River. This river is so beautiful and powerful, especially during the summer when the snow melts from the mountains and it flows rapidly near the towns such as Yakima. There are great campsites all over -- one of the campsites that we kept going back to was called Windy Point (it's all in the name!). The site is big enough but not too big where it is over run by many day trippers, and of course, one can never pass up the sound of water flowing helping you sleep in a state of bliss.

Spending most of my life in the PNW, has been grateful. We, as humans, take so much for granted when it comes to nature that we forget how beautiful Mother Nature can be when we don't sit back, relax, and take in the beauty. Some of the examples of this can be seeing a bald eagle spread their wings where they are hunting for food, when only 15 years ago they were still on the Endangered Species, can be a wonderful site or kayaking in the Lake Quinault.

Below, is a perfect example how pretty it can be on a gorgeous fall day. The mighty Mt. Rainier exuding her sexiness for all to see!

Olympia, Washington. The town that I have lived in for 15 years -- the sunrises and sunsets never seize to amaze me!