Trip Overview: 

9 days total (June 29th-July 8th)

Goals: learn about a couple different city vibes, conquer strenuous hikes, see whales and seals, indulge in fresh seafood, marvel at natural wonders within our own country, stay in a treehouse

Days 1 and 2: Seattle, Washington, Pensione Nichols Bed and Breakfast steps away from Pike Place Market

Day 3: Snoqualmie Falls stop, North Cascades National Park half-day hike, overnight in La Conner at La Conner Country Inn

Day 4: Ferry (with car) to Orcas Island out of Anacortes (30 min. from La Conner), Orcas Island, overnight at Outlook Inn of Eastsound

Day 5: Half day in Orcas Island, ferry out of Orcas Island to Anacortes, drive from Anacortes to Coupeville, ferry out of Coupeville to Port Townsend, drive from Port Townsend to Port Angeles and stop at Hurricane Ridge of Olympic National Park for short hike up to ridge, overnight in Air B and B treehouse in Port Angeles (Twilight Beach)

Day 6: Drive to Crescent Lake for short hike to falls, drive to Hoh Rainforest for two short hikes in rainforest, drive to Ruby Beach for walk along beach with rock stacks, then overnight in Union at Air B and B with killer views of Hood Canal

Day 7: Drive through Olympic National Park to do half-day hike on Lake of the Angels trail, overnight at Nisqually Lodge of Ashford just outside Mount Rainier National Park

Day 8: Mount Rainier National Park moderate hike on Rampart Ridge trail at Paradise Visitor Center, drive to Multnomah Falls just outside of Portland, drive to Portland, overnight at Benson Hotel downtown

Day 9: Portland, OR for full day, flight departs at 12:40 AM

Seattle: An Eclectic Cosmopolitan Collective by the Shimmering Sea
Overall thoughts on Seattle:
Though we were in Seattle for far too little time to warrant me judgment and the right to dispel recommendations, I’ll go ahead and do so… this being said, to me, Seattle was in one word, eclectic. I label this Pacific Northwest city with the term eclectic due to its inhabitants. Stake claim at any outdoor patio lining First or Second Avenue and one’s eyes would receive a parade of free-for-all fashion, seasoned hippies, men and women whose eyes and wrinkles and tattoos symbolize a lifetime of stories worth telling, families with parents reading maps and siblings quarreling, 20 something hipsters donning facial hair and ironic or nostalgic fashion statements, and last but not least, many a warbling, zig-zagging vagrant either strung out or stupefied by what appeared to be all sorts of cocktails of hallucinogenic drugs. It’s a patchwork design of human beings meandering the unevenly paved sidewalks of Seattle, which is both endearing and also enigmatic, in that, I couldn’t really put my finger on the pulse of the city, or in more blunt terms, couldn’t quite label it with anything besides eclectic. Did I like Seattle? Absolutely! I’m not a city girl at heart, but I love to visit cities, especially cities with stunningly beautiful natural backdrops, and Seattle surely does not disappoint there. Between the sail boat and house boat clad Lake Union and the shimmering Pacific framed by dense hills of evergreens and snow capped mountains in the distance, Seattle is a city for nature admirers. It’s also a city of nature enthusiasts. It’s rather clear and quite admirable to notice the active emphasis Seattle places on environmentally friendly innovations and environmental engineering. From hydropower to mandating that all Ubers and Lyfts to the airport be Prius’s, it is evident that Seattle takes a proactive approach to conservation and sustainability. Would I see myself living in Seattle? No. There wasn’t a huge sense of community from my perspective, and again, I have zero license to spout judgments, but that was my perception, and the homeless/drug problem was far too rampant for me to ever consider Seattle as a desirable city to call home. However, its backdrop, the Pike Place Market, the countless parks, the emphasis on and appreciation for art, the briny, fresh seafood, the open air restaurants and cafes, and the breathtaking Puget Sound, all make for a delightfully sensory experience that is not only worthwhile, but memorable. We highly recommend visiting in June and July, as we were fortunate to bathe in brilliant sunshine and mid 70 degree weather both days!

Day by Day Breakdown and Highlights:
Day 1
We arrived to our B and B at around 8 PM and immediately strolled the surrounding streets, walked down to the pier, and then posted up at a charming first avenue cafe called The Virginia Inn. We ordered a couple small plates and enjoyed people watching. We continued walking rather aimlessly after this before we came across an enticing lounge/bar/club called Amber. As time elapsed at Amber, we noticed the music got a little bit louder and soon club-wear clad posses were coming in by the droves. It was a fun atmosphere with pretty good music and decent drinks, would be a good place to go to with girlfriends or guy friends on a Thursday or Friday night.

Day 2

• Had the bread and butter breakfast at our B and B at around 8 AM
• Walked through the famous Pike Place Market, which was one of my favorite things we saw in Seattle. Rows upon rows of vibrant, floral varietals line the street side stalls of the market, while fragrant produce stalls and of course seafood stalls line the opposing side that faces the water. Live musicians serenade tourists weaving, dodging, smelling, and tasting. It’s an all five senses on deck kind of experience not to be missed!

• After the Market we walked toward the Seattle City Center, which is about a 20 minute walk from the market. We stopped along the way at Local 360, a rustic, farm to table bar, restaurant, patio playing Bob Dylan and seducing passersby with the pervasive scent of velvety espresso. We got a light second breakfast here before continuing on our merry way to the city center
• Once in the city center, we first explored Chihuly garden and glass exhibit. Being a frequenter of casinos, I am no Chihuly novice. Alex also had visited Seattle with his dad and step mom around 10 years ago and had the fortunate pleasure of visiting Chihuly’s private studio, where his dad actually purchased a magnificent Chihuly piece. All said, we both knew what we were in for. Regardless, the exhibit is truly worth a visit. The sculptures and collections are beautifully displayed and eloquently explained. The garden is a unique exhibit that showcases Chihuly’s passion for the natural world as his main source of inspiration for most of his installations and creations.

• After Chihuly, we visited the emblematic Space Needle. Though hyper touristy and line-heavy, the view from the top was worth it to us. The Seattle city-scape offers a rich aerial view.

• After the space needle we walked along second and first avenue for a couple of hours and bobbed in to a coffee shop, which had awesome coffee, though I think it is a chain in Seattle (Moore Coffee)

• As I said earlier, we experienced brilliant sunshine, so we were jonesing for a rooftop bar come happy hour. Rooftop bars are slim to none in Seattle, which makes sense since they only have rooftop weather three months out of the year, but there are a couple that prove Seattle goes for quality and not quantity. We chose Nest, the rooftop lounge at the swanky Thompson Hotel, only a block away from our bed and breakfast. The cocktails, service, and views were vacation at its prime. Alex and I lounged on a comfortable leather couch overlooking the market and water for a few hours before remembering our dinner reservation.
• For dinner, I had made a reservation at Westward, which I selected from a list of Seattle’s best waterfront restaurants on a website called Eater. Westward was one of the most unique dining experiences I’ve ever had. If you want true waterfront dining, like we did, you aren’t sat at a table, instead, you dine from wooden Adirondack chairs that both face out to the water, the water being Lake Union. Little teak side tables and the wide arm rests allow for comfortable and accessible feasting. Al and I enjoyed martinis, the best oysters we’ve ever had, super fresh fish, and a rose splashed sunset.

Day 3

• Picked up our rental car at enterprise, which was a super short walk from our bed and breakfast (very easy and quick) and drove to Snoqualmie Falls, only about 40 minutes east of Seattle. Beautiful and powerful falls worth gazing upon.

• After the falls, we journeyed two hours to North Cascades National Park. The well maintained and manicured visitors center provided us with information and smiles before sending us off for our first hike of the trip- an 8 miler through moss cloaked coniferous forest to a suspended bridge over the Diablo Dam and Lake, called the Diablo Lake Trail. This was an excellent hike, not too difficult but not too easy, that delivered rewarding views and an enchanting trek through forests far different than what we’re used to back East.
  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

• After our long hike, we were on our way to La Conner, a charming, waterfront town closer to the Anacortes ferry that we needed to take the following morning. On our way to La Conner, we spontaneously stopped off at Birdsview Brewery for a cider and beer and a snack, while enjoying some live music.
• I read about La Conner on some blog I came across while planning our trip, and the blogger described it as a quaint little fishing and crabbing town, full of character. We stayed at The La Conner Country Inn, which was a big upgrade compared to our Seattle bed and breakfast. Everything is walking distance in La Conner. Though the temperature was nippy, we thoroughly enjoyed strolling along the waterfront in the sun setting light. One of my favorite things we came across on our stroll was an erected statue and plaque to an old town dog named Salty Biter, may he Rest In Peace.

Day 4

• Since we planned our trip semi-last minute and our trip took place over a holiday, the only time slot available when we went to book the ferry to Orcas Island was the ripe hour of 7:25 A.M. The Anacortes wharf is thirty minutes from La Conner, and the ferry system requires you to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure.  All in all, we were weary and not much conversation took place on board the ferry.  Regardless, taking our car onto a ferry and cruising over to our destination by Pacific canal, was a unique experience that certainly reminded us that we were a long ways from home.
• Arriving so brutally early to Orcas Island came with its rewards though- a full day to explore!  Orcas Island is a picturesque Pacific Northwest dream town.  Pciture this: lavender greeting the sea, roses lining the white picket fence of a charming A-frame church whose back wall of stained glass windows faces the bay, a main street straight out of a family-friendly, animal-friendly 90’s movie or 50’s sitcom, whimsical shops whose garden artistry spills out onto the sidewalks, and scents of both savory and sweet waft out to kiss the salty sea air whenever someone opens the door of one of the cafes, restaurants, or bakeries. Orcas Island is a MUST VISIT when traveling to the Pacific Northwest. We said that whenever we return, we will need to visit the other San Juan Islands, because if they are anything like Orcas, which is safe to say they are, then they are absolutely worth visiting as well. We savored an incredible breakfast at Cafe New Leaf, our hotel’s (Outlook Inn) restaurant that faces out to the bay, and then strolled the beach of the bay and combed the streets of the town, picking up souvenirs and sweatshirts as we went.

• We had arranged a whale watching tour  through Orcas Island Eclipse Charters for a good portion of the afternoon.  The outfitter can be found in the building just at the wharf entrance when you depart the ferry.  There is a fabulous grocery store there where you can pick up gourmet sandwiches and other refreshments. We HIGHLY recommend the whale watching tour!  The crew was delightful and ridiculously knowledgeable, and we saw three different families of Orcas (including babies!), four bald eagles, and seals (my favorite)!

• After whale watching we stopped at the Orcas Island Winery.  The tasting room is nice enough, not all too scenic a venue, but the real entertainment was the tasting room hostess.  With feathers in her hair and every other phrase being, “good on you man,” she regaled us with tales from her colorful past as she poured our sips.  The wine was pretty underwhelming, nothing to write home about.  I did enjoy the red blend, so we purchased the bottle and then headed off on our merry way to try to savor a relaxing hour or two in our luxury suite at the Outlook Inn with our new bottle of wine.

• Knowing our time was limited on the island, we decided to squeeze in a short hike and scenic drive up to Mount Constitution.  If you’re up for a strenuous adventure, try the breath-heaving haul by foot to the top.  We were short on time due to the sun setting, so we drove to the top where we enjoyed the shimmering panoramic views atop the lookout tower.  The tower has wonderful signs at the top that depict everything you’re looking at below, from the names of the islands and lakes within the San Juan Islands, all the way to bordering Canada.  After drinking in the views, we took a short walk on some trails lined with more looming, coniferous giants down to a beautiful creek featuring a waterfall and fallen, moss-blanketed trunks sandwiched in a zig-zagging fashion within the walls of the creek.  We hung out on the natural bridge made by one of the trunks and soothed our souls to the audio therapy of the babbling creek and unceasing waterfall.

• Not much was open once we returned from our spontaneous Mount Constitution exploration, so we tried a hole-in-the-wall called The Lower Tavern which proved to be a locals hot spot. We managed to make it before the kitchen closed and were pleasantly surprised by the grub and beer/cider selection.  We sat at the bar and chowed down after a robust day of salt-in-our-hair sightseeing.

Day 5

• Our ferry to Port Angeles wasn’t until the afternoon, so we leisurely explored the quaint town of Eastsound Orcas Island, beginning with a delicious breakfast at Mia’s Cafe.  Post breakfast, we picked up more souvenirs and took one final admiring gaze out onto the postcard-worthy Eastsound before checking out and heading to the wharf for our first ferry back to Anacortes. We then had to drive from Anacortes to Coupeville for our second ferry to Port Angeles. It might sound like a logistical nightmare, but the ferry rides were a touristic experience for us in themselves.  We never get to drive onto ferry boats to get from point A to B where we are from, and it’s a scenic means of travel as you bypass various islands and squeeze through various channels and canals.  Upon arrival to Port Townsend (name of the wharf closest to Port Angeles), we stopped at a Safeway for groceries before heading to our bucket-list-place-of-lodging for the evening: a treehouse atop a beach bluff.
• Knowing we wouldn’t want to leave the treehouse once we got there, we decided to squeeze in our first Olympic National Park hike before heading to Twilight Beach for our Swiss Family Robinson style lodging among the treetops. We drove from Coupeville to Hurricane Ridge– a MUST see when going to Olympic National Park.  This was an overwhelmingly stunning introduction to one of my now all-time favorite national parks. The most popular trail at Hurricane Ridge is quite short, only around a mile round trip, but there is another trail that is about 4 miles round trip that takes you to another mountain peak just beyond the ridge.  The short trail up is steep, but completely worth it.  Deer unphased by humans graze the meadows leading up to the ridge and the 360 views before you even ascend the ridge trail are breathtaking.  I felt like we were back in Switzerland!  We’re talking chains of snowcapped mountaintops barricading your horizon, I was speechless.  When we reached the top of Hurricane Ridge, we were greeted by a family of wild mountain goats, including brand new babies! I couldn’t resist and had to let out a small yodel when we reached the summit, this place is straight out of A Sound of Music, and these hills were the definition of alive.

• If you’re outdoor enthusiasts like us, put it on your must-do list to STAY IN A TREEHOUSE! This was one of the coolest lodging experiences I have ever had.  We booked our treehouse through Air B and B. It’s hard to put into words the treehouse’s level of amazing.  I’ll begin by saying that our Air B and B hosts, a sweet family living in a uniquely crafted house set about an 1/8 of a mile behind the treehouse, thought of everything.  We excitedly gamboled up the stairs of the treehouse where a catwalk led us to a deck angled toward the beach bluff overlook, so not only did we get the treetop canopy experience, but we also got unobstructed views of the glimmering Pacific.  The deck featured a built-in running sink, a stove-top and grill-top, and a mini propane fire-pit.  Inside, the treehouse had a floor to ceiling window, allowing dappled sunlight to filter in to the reading nook which was appointed with a comfortable futon, stacks of books, and games.  The wood walls were adorned with string lights, pots and pans, knick-knacks collected on seemingly world travels, and kitschy photos and paintings. A ladder leaned against the loft where we found the Temperpedic mattress, a nightstand already dressed with classic reads, a cut-out that allowed us to look out to the nook’s bay window, as well as a long, skinny window that allowed us glimpses into the tree canopy. Wanting to catch the sunset as we dined, we quickly assembled a rustic yet gourmet meal using the outdoor stove-top and utensils provided within the treehouse- they truly thought of everything, we didn’t need a single item! One of my favorite moments of the trip was sitting in the chairs of the treehouse deck, eating our tree-home-cooked meal, and drinking in both some red wine and the unforgettable views amidst treetops and ocean vista.

• The treehouse also had a sandpit for building bon fires that was perched atop the beach bluff.  The owners provided plenty of chairs and even have a hand crafted swinging love seat.  Alex built us a roaring bonfire that we used to warm ourselves and make s’mores as the gulls chanted, the waves rhythmically lapped the rocks below, and the stars gleamed above.

Day 6

• We bid our treehouse haven farewell and were off for another action-packed day of exploring and hiking.  Our plan was to circumnavigate the western side of the Olympic National Park loop, stopping off at a few destinations of natural note, the first being Crescent Lake.  Crescent Lake is crystal clear with expansive rivers running along the route to get to the trail head, we absolutely recommend. We took a short trail of about 2-3 miles to view the waterfall nestled within the enchanting forest that looks straight out of Robin Hood Prince of Thieves or Lord of the Rings or any other enchanted wood conjured within the imagination.

• Our second stop was The Hoh Rainforest for two shorter nature walks.  Speaking of enchanted woods… the Hoh Rainforest transcends enchanting, it’s more of a spiritual revelation.  If it’s moss-coated tree giants you’re seeking, feast your eyes on The Hoh Rainforest.  We  were mesmerized by the tangled, outstretching limbs draped and coated with spongy lime-green moss.

• Our third stop on our half-loop was Ruby Beach, an iconic Pacific Northwest shoreline dotted with rock stacks that have been carved out of the coastline over the ages.  Full of families and photographers, Ruby Beach is a noteworthy seascape perfect for an afternoon or evening stroll.  We collected drift wood and watched people edge closer and closer to the sea sprayed rock stacks.

• We stopped at another Safeway before heading to our final destination- Hood Canal of Union, where we were staying at an Air B and B that overlooked the canal.  This Air B and B was PERFECT for celebrating the 4th of July.  Though it wasn’t much in terms of decor and upgrades on the inside, this A-frame’s deck and view completely made up for any interior faux pas.  We made a quick dinner that we then enjoyed on the deck as the sun dripped down into the Hood Canal and sparklers and fireworks started sizzling and crackling into the evening’s soundscape.  The Air B and B host told us that we could probably catch fireworks being shot off around the canal.  We were pretty wiped out from the day’s adventures, so we decided to stay put and hope for some firework sightings off in the distance.  Boy were we glad we did!  Best fireworks we have ever experienced!  Not only could we see mortar fireworks shot off all along the miles and miles of stretching canal, but people were shooting them off less than a half mile from our deck.  We had the most unforgettable Fourth, sitting on our private deck, taking in the display of colorful palming explosions, whose light danced across the fluid bed of the canal.

Day 7

• We had done some hiking on this trip already, but we were ready for a heart-pumping, slightly harrowing hike that would help us earn our cocktails, as we like to say. Using the REI National Parks App, I picked out Lake of the Angels, a 7 miler with a steep and rugged ascent, known for its lake atop the mountain ridge.  You’ll pass a more trafficked trail head called the Lena Lake Trail on the way to the Lake of the Angels trail which begins on the Putvin Trail.  After passing Lena Lake Trailhead, the road becomes gravel and potholed for about 4 miles until you reach the Putvin Trailhead.  This was one of our all-time favorite hikes.  It was quite remote and we only encountered two other groups of hikers along the entire journey, which was a little disconcerting but also thrilling and isolating in a positive way.  We kept making noise the whole time, as to prevent any encounters with the country bear jamboree or worse, cougars. The last two miles to the top are basically vertical, it was the steepest ascent we’ve ever hiked.  The final mile is rock climbing, so we surely got that heart-pumping, reaffirmation-for-life experience we were seeking! When we reached the last quarter of a mile to the lake atop the mountain, we encountered a foot of snow pack.  I had never hiked in snow pack before so this was both unique and uncomfortable, since Alex and I had only packed our sneakers and didn’t bring proper hiking footwear.  The reviews of this trail had warned hikers of the lake being quite hard to locate, especially if there would be snow pack, so we can’t say we weren’t warned.  However, we did spend at least an hour trudging and stumbling through stretches of soggy, boggy valleys and snow covered hills, before discovering where the trail picked back up again, and ultimately deciding it unfortunately wasn’t worth us getting frost bite to reach the final destination.  Averted destination aside, this hike is rewarding at every single switchback and step.  We came across more wild mountain goat families, as we trekked atop rusty pine needle forest floor that turned into moss covered rock scramble and natural stairways to mountaintops heaven.  I can still smell the earthy aromas of mud, water, and moss mixed with the sweet scent of pine and sap, and can still see the cascading waterfalls barreling down the rock face of the mountaintop ahead of us… hard to forget.

• The Lake of the Angels hike took us most of the day.  We started around noon and didn’t get back to our car until around 6:45. We had gone through our camel back and water bottles two miles prior to finishing the hike, so we were parched and ravenous.  We stopped at a place back near Hoodsport called Dos Margaritas where we rewarded ourselves with fishbowl style margaritas and Mexican food delights.

• We had a bit of a drive to make after dinner, but with some good tunes and happy bellies, it wasn’t too bad.  We rested our hats at Nisqually Lodge of Ashford, just outside Mount Rainier National Park.  We highly recommend this lodge, it’s brand new with excellent service, super clean, and a stocked included breakfast in the AM.

Day 8

• We stuffed our faces at the included breakfast and took some items for the road as well, before heading out to the Paradise Visitor Center of Mount Rainier National Park.  We set off on a moderate hike on a trail of switchbacks through forest that took us to Rampart Ridge which provides a pretty amazing view of Mount Rainier, an active volcano! We posted up atop the rocky vista and ate some of our snacks while admiring Rainier’s dome of powdery white in contrast with the blue sky that it seemed to skim.

• Before closing our natural endeavors chapter of the trip and entering  the hustle and bustle of a different city, we sought out one more natural wonder just outside of Portland called the Multnomah Falls. Hyper touristy, the falls are spectacular and worth a visit if you’re in Portland.
• After checking in to our hotel, The Benson, and freshening up, we went to dinner at Departure, a rooftop restaurant and lounge with a modern, unique take on Thai cuisine.  The drinks were a little too Avant Garde for my liking, but I appreciated how they embraced culinary adventures.  The food was also a tad too adventurous for my liking, but I always love trying new things!

Day 9

• We rarely ever schedule red-eye flights, but due to our last-minute booking of the trip, our best option was a 12:40 AM returning flight that, to add insult to injury, was not non-stop.  The only positive to this far from ideal flight home was that we had a full day to explore Portland before heading home.
• Portland is definitely a foodie city, so we embraced this aspect of it and indulged with a final hurrah of eating and drinking our way through the city, beginning with breakfast at a small place called Brunch Box.  I was craving a grilled cheese and they had this build-your-own breakfast sandwich menu that I opted for.  I selected “grilled cheese” under the bread category only to embarrassingly discover this meant the top and bottom breads were individual grilled cheese sandwiches… we’re talking four pieces of buttered bread slathered with cheese total.  Needless to say, I could barely get my mouth around the whole thing and had to save most of it for later.

• We heard good things about the Japanese Gardens and Rose Gardens, so we took an Uber out to these alleged green space havens only to be quite disappointed.  Do not waste your money on the Japanese Gardens unless you are really into Japanese culture and seeking some minimalist zen in your life.  The rose garden, unlike the Japanese Gardens, was free and more worthwhile.  Rows and rows of roses perfume the air and color the quarter mile stretch of green-space tucked away from the city sprawl.

• We were going to head back downtown after the gardens, but our Uber driver recommended that we stop at NW 23rd Ave within the Nob Hill neighborhood for ice cream at Salt and Straw. Boy were we glad we listened!  Salt and Straw perfumes the charming avenue racked with upscale boutiques and restaurants with the pervasive scent of freshly pressed, cakey waffle cones.  Their ice cream menu is extensive, to say the least, and features flavors like lavender honey or jammy blackberry cobbler crumble.  The line was out the door, but it’s well worth it.  They allow you to sample as many flavors as you’d like before making your ultimate, brain-racking decision.  We strolled 23rd avenue with our ice cream for a bit before walking back towards downtown.
• Portland is known for its breweries, so we knew our next stop should be a brewery.  We were en route to a brewery that got great reviews called 10 Barrel Brewing, but became distracted by a place called The Pope House Bourbon Lounge.  Pope House is an enchanting Victorian home turned bar/lounge/restaurant whose outdoor patio is shaded by the natural umbrella of a string-lighted leafy tree.  We posted up for a couple of hours here, savoring our last day of vacation and the bevy of hoppy, cidery delights Portland has to offer.
• After Pope House, we did make it over to 10 Barrel Brewing, which I would definitely return to if ever in Portland again.  Sadly we weren’t able to get a table on the rooftop patio, but we were able to enjoy a beer and cider up there and catch our last vacation sunset.  We dined at a communal picnic table in the downstairs, open-air portion of the brewery and were joined by two friendly and funny young best friends who ended up buying us our own flight of beer.  We headed off to the airport at around 11 PM with happy tummies and a hearty buzz.

In conclusion…

Our trip was in typical Hannah and Alex fashion, action-packed.  Sure Alex and I can do the chill-on-the-beach, extreme relaxation thing, but only when we really need it mentally.  When traveling afar to a brand new destination, we like to squeeze in every last drop of adventure and exploration we possibly can.  We also like to sample as many different pockets, neighborhoods, and districts of a destination as possible, to try our best at putting our fingers on both the collective and individual heartbeats of a state or country.  This being said, it would be nice to have stayed longer than a maximum of two nights in one town or city, but our travel attitude willed us to sample rather than savor.  Being an outdoor enthusiast, my favorite places were Orcas Island, Olympic National Park, and the surrounding area of Union, Washington, especially the Hood Canal area.  Between Seattle and Portland, I preferred Seattle.   I’d recommend Seattle and Portland to anyone seeking an off-beat city vibe that emphasizes environmental consciousness, beer, and art. As for the part I loved most, the nature part, I’d recommend much of the northern and western parts of the state of Washington to anyone seeking natural wonderment, peace in solitude, and spiritual awakening.