Home again, home again, jiggidy jig jig! You simply can’t beat the PNW in the summertime. It is by far the most beautiful place in the country at that time of the year. The summers are warm but mild, very rarely 100-plus degree days. So, it is warm enough to wear shorts, but not really hot enough to even need AC, and most houses don’t have it, due to the marine breezes, which help provide relief on hot summer days.
Just like in this picture, I love being able to see Mt Rainier, Mt Baker, Mt St. Helens, Mt Hood, and Mt Adams regularly. Even if you are stuck in traffic if you just get the time to look upon the beautiful mountains, it is so much more enjoyable and not a bad way to spend the commute to or from work.
This other picture is the view from one of the ferries. I love the fact that we have such an extensive ferry system. One of the largest in the world actually. We have over 700 islands throughout WA state and even have ferries that go up into Canada and Alaska. It is always amazing to me to see a boat have 250 cars drive onto it, then load up a bunch of walk-on traffic as well as all the drivers and passengers in those cars, and the boat not sink.
It is so peaceful, even if only for 15 minutes to be able to sit out on the decks or look out through the windows and see the sea life, the boats, the mountains, the view of the cities from the water, etc. It is great to be able to say hey let’s go check out Kingston today and walk on a ferry and walk off in Kingston. Or go island hop through the Orcas islands, watching for whales and going to lots of great spots to visit, or just biking around the island for the day. It is just a great way to spend time with loved ones that you don’t really have in other areas.
After traveling across this great country, I realize we have mountains, most of the rest of the USA only has hills, nothing in comparison size-wise to the rocky and cascade mountains. We are truly blessed to live here and that is why this area will always feel like home to me.
