WA State Suggestions

[Debbi]

I am planning my summer trip and this time it will be to visit my kiddo who is stationed in Everett, WA. While I have been to WA State MANY times, I've never been north of Seattle or to the Olympic penninsula while the mountains are there (didn't know they left in the winter did ya? - they do).

So far, planning a trip to Mt. Ranier since I've never been (or my kid who's been there for 4 years), the Olympic National Park (think rain forest and Ruby Beach) and San Juan Islands. I will have 10 full days of exploring and photographing. Sunrise stuff will probably be on my own since that's waaaay earlier than he wants to get up. I've even been threatened to be picked up at the airport "by noon" - I get in at 9:30 a.m.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

[L Stegall]

Other than the usual stuff in Seattle, if you get east of Seattle, Snoqualmie Falls and the Salish Lodge are very nice. The Lodge was used for the exterior shots in Twin Peaks and sits directly at the top of the falls. If the weather is nice, you can hike down. It's been a long time since I've been there, though, so check some more current reviews if you think you might stay there. It was really nice when we were there.

If you are headed north of Seattle, there is a really spectacular suspension bridge over a river. It's been a few years since I've been, but I think it's over Deception Pass. Also, the ferry through the San Juan Islands (or up to the Gulf Islands in BC) is a nice way to spend some time. If you can, I recommend getting up to Victoria for at least a day or two. The ferry ride (you can also take a float plane) is fun and Victoria is so charming. Butchart Gardens is definitely worth a visit, as is the Inner Harbour area (although summer is definitely the most crowded time to visit).

We're headed to the Gulf Islands (BC) ourselves in May, so maybe I'll have some more ideas when we get back.

[KdLaneJr]

+1 on making it to Victoria Canada!

[L Stegall]

Originally Posted by KdLaneJr

+1 on making it to Victoria Canada!

Yeah, only 22 days, 14 hours and some change until we head up there.....but who's counting. That area is truly one of my favorite places on earth. We're checking out one of the smaller islands we have not stayed on yet....Pender Island. I'm also looking forward to a relaxing week of shooting and hanging out. There are some incredible rental houses available and we're taking the whole family - from my 80-ish parents to the 12 month old grandchild.

Debbie - just thought of this - definitely try to get out on a whale watching trip if you can.

[Steelsun]

I hit the Olympic Peninsula, Victoria (Vancouver Island), and some of the San Juans a few years ago and loved it. It's a "must go back" for me.

Take some time to explore the little towns along the coast of the Peninsula.

Also the ferry out of Port Angeles to Victoria is cool - kind of a free wildlife watching trip.

Do a search on the forums here for "Olympic Peninsula", as several of us have talked about it alot.

[picman]

Mount St. Helens - you can be standing right at the base of it and still not get your head around what happened during the eruption, truly amazing. Ape Cave in the same area is a very cool underground hike through a 2000 year old lava tube.

[Debbi]

Thanks guys. Definitely planning on a whale watching tour and I'll do some more research on B.C. Deception Pass is a definite possibility. Mount St. Helens won't be included on this trip. Been there, done that - many times. My husband lived in Cougar, WA when she errupted and I have more "stuff" from the eruption than I can even remember. I do have pics of my son going thru the Ape caves.

[Teddington]

Debbi, it's a long hike (about 11 miles RT) but the Dungeness lighthouse on the end of the Dungeness Spit is neat.



If you want to get "up close and personal" with some retired movie animals, the Olympic Game Park in Sequim is great. Ever get close enough to kiss a bison?



Here's a link to my photo album from a couple of weeks ago:

http://jeddington.smugmug.com/galler...1_N6YJR#P-1-12

And this was one of the best websites we found for the Olympic Peninsula:

http://www.olyportal.com/index.html

You can't go wrong with any of the suggestions. July will be too late but to get to Deception Pass, you drive through Skagit Valley, home of the largest Tulip Farms in the world. Have a great time.

[Debbi]

Thanks, Terry. While I LOVE lighthouses, I'll probably have to pass on that one since I am still recovering from a broken ankle. Might be a little ambitious. Thanks for the link!

[J Eddington]

"July will be too late but to get to Deception Pass, you drive through Skagit Valley, home of the largest Tulip Farms in the world."
It is never too late to go to Deception Pass (I think he ment for the tulips in bloom). You can do a loop. Up through Skagit Valley and back down whidbey island. When I was there two weeks ago the hummingbirds were EVERY where.

[L Stegall]

I also think he meant it was too late to see the tulips in bloom come July - even so, Deception Pass was very pretty in late June.

[Debbi]

Yeah, I figured that was what Terry meant. I actually have a picture of my mother-in-law and niece in all of the tulips but I knew it would be too late to see them in person.

[TRWhite]

Hi
My name is Tim and I was also stationed in Everett on the USS Ingraham (FFG-61) for 3 yrs, before I retired.

Deception Pass is good almost any time of the year.
The Tulip Festival is normally sometime during the first 2 weeks of April.

You could also make a drive up to the Mount Baker sky area. There are some nice shots along the way.

Here is a link to the Deception Pass State Park on Wildbey Island.
http://www.visitwhidbey.com/camp-gro...tate-Park.html

If you do go to Deception Pass. When you get off I-5 at Mount Vernon if you find yourself a little hungry I recommend The Berry Patch Cafe.

Tim

[Janice_d]

Tulips arent blooming YET.. Im headed there Next week.. or last week in April.. the daffodils are just blooming..its been too cold to bloom!!!
Deception pass is nice anytime of year.. cept when its raining!!
Snoqualamie Falls is awesome..anytime.
Have you been to Leavenworth?? its a Bavarian themed town.. fun place to see.
Gosh theres so much.. and I live here..LOL
Im headed to Maui in May.. and Im headed to New York again in July..Ill be home in August!!
Debbi..when do you plan to be up this way?

[Debbi]

Thanks for the suggestions, Tim! I appreciate it.

Janice, I'll be up there from July 1 - 11 so it looks like I'll miss you again. I've always been known for my good timing! My son has actually mentioned Leavenworth but I haven't been able to find much on it. I'm hoping wild flowers will still be in bloom and the weather will cooperate. I've seen more rain in my visits to WA than I have here but it's almost always been at Christmas.