| yogi799 |
We are pondering going on a week long road trip to Washington state and are looking at the Olympia area. What would you recommend seeing there, where to go, where to drive for some scenic views... just ANYTHING (natural)? Thanks
Oh, also, where to stay? Any cabins there? Lakes, mountains? |
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| catzx6 |
| Never been there, but it looks beautiful! I'd go if I had the time, and lived a little closer. |
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| mullysalt |
| There is a beautiful Japenese garden in Seattle, well worth the time if that's your thing. Also, I recommend driving up the Columbia River Gorge. Nature's beauty abounds in that region of the country so enjoy! |
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| wmquan |
I'm not even sure where you begin. I've only lived in this state for ten years and haven't seen enough. My wife's family has been in the state for a few generations.
This web site is a good starting point to give you an idea. It's the Washington State official tourism site, and these photos from that site should give you a flavor:
http://198.239.145.235/
I'm partial to the North Cascades Highway myself. It is only open from the spring to the early winter, and then it closes for several months because the weather is just too rough and there are avalanche hazards.
There are beautiful high mountain passes with sheer gorges and breathtaking views:
If you're going to be in Olympia, you can explore the Olympic peninsula. Hurricane Ridge:
Olympic National Park:
Much further afield, past the center of the state, there's more desert-oriented scenery:
Columbia River Plateau:
These photos are from Jim Bennett's web site. He's partial to the beautiful Deception Pass!
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| wmquan |
| Oh, the Japanese Garden mentioned by Mullysalt is part of the Washington Park Arboretum. It is very pretty. The Arboretum is great, on the shores of Lake Washington near the University of Washington in Seattle. The Japanese Garden has a separate admission charge. The Arboretum is free. A lot of people rent metal canoes and go through the remaining wetlands. |
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| DaleB |
Excellent photos! I lived in Washington state for 3 years, courtesy of Uncle Sam. And it was some time ago. But I visit friends in the area periodically.
You can drive on the eastern half of the state from the picturesque valley of Wenatchee all the way north to the canadian border.
It's an arid landscape and you will be running with your air condition on full. About 2 hours before the border to the north, you will run into the Okanagon area, miles and miles of fruit trees, and now micro-breweries, trendy restaurants, and B&B's.
(I can remember when nothing was sold in the state except Ranier and Olympia beer. We used to make lots of trips to Canada.)
Or head into the higher (and cooler) elevations of the Okanagon National Forest.
The western half of the state is the more expected evergreen landscape. Lakes, mountains, resorts abound.
Much of the population around the outskirts of Seattle, areas like Issaquah, where folks live only minutes from wonderful natural spots.
Olympia is very nice, and of course you will want to see the Olympic forest. Then Seattle, and taking a ferry out to the various islands. You can even catch one to British Columbia.
All in all a great place for a summer vacation!
The Olympic peninsula and the Columbia River Gorge are a must! |
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| DaleB |
quote:
Originally posted by wmquan
Oh, the Japanese Garden mentioned by Mullysalt is part of the Washington Park Arboretum. It is very pretty. The Arboretum is great, on the shores of Lake Washington near the University of Washington in Seattle. The Japanese Garden has a separate admission charge. The Arboretum is free. A lot of people rent metal canoes and go through the remaining wetlands.
Speaking of Japanese gardens, there is a world renowned one in Portland, Ore. about a 90 min drive south from Seattle.
http://www.japanesegarden.com/ |
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| wmquan |
The Portland Japanese Garden seems very nice indeed.
An unusual garden in central Washington is the Ohme Gardens, near the Rocky Reach Dam on the Columbia River, and outside of Wenatchee. Shows what irrigation and a huge amount of family labor can do to an empty rock bluff.
http://www.ohmegardens.com/
It's very pleasant garden in an unusual setting. The gardening is quite restrained and not overly done.
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