WASHINGTON

One day in this state was a travel day from the southern border en route from Oregon (the day after traveling through WA from ID to OR).   

We saw the McNary_Dam .

 

Not long afterwards, we passed an area of the Yakima Training Center where they train and test weapons.   

We could see why they train here as it is very desolate in this area.  In fact, having lived in this state for nine years, I never knew how desert-like the southern part of this state truly is.  In fact, we all agreed that it reminded us of California, especially as we passed through some areas with only fields, orchards, and vineyards.

Continuing northwest towards Seattle, we enjoyed the grand view of Mount St. Helens.

 Shortly thereafter we spotted  "dangerous" Mount Rainier.   Its view was clearer as we drove through the Yakima Canyon.

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We watched the landscape gradually progress from the dry brown look to the forested green, lush landscape.  In addition, we witnessed a travel trailer wobbling dangerously close to tipping over as we headed down Snoqualmie Pass .   We also had a chuckle over this camper trailer:  

I asked Mechanic Man if he could paint our travel trailer purple.  (I received a funny look.)

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We are nearing the end of our mission to have visited  all 50 of our fabulous United States.   One state is  left for College Girl and me, two states are left for Mechanic Man, and one state  is left for each of the boys (plus Alaska and Hawaii).

In the meantime, we spent the most time in this state not because it is the farthest  from home but because of all that we wanted to do here.  Mechanic Man and I started our married life here 32 years  ago.  After being married in New York, his military orders sent him as far away from family as possible … to an island off the continental United States!  Homesickness emerged after the excitement and novelty wore off … especially once Mechanic Man was sent  overseas for 6 months on an aircraft carrier!  Thankfully, I was able to visit family often, and I met wonderfully supportive people where I worked.  One special friend and I have kept in touch all these years.  I am grateful that we were able to visit while we were in Washington!

We also Jazzercised together ... what fun!

SEATTLE

Arriving in the green Pacific Northwest after traveling through the desert-like middle of the state, we arrived in the campground near our main attractions to Seattle:   the Space Needle and Pike Place Market.


On the first day, we took the Monorail from downtown where we parked to the Seattle Center..

Then 605 feet into the sky we headed!

The view was incredible.  We had such a beautiful day that we were blessed to see both Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier!  Elevator guide stated that doesn't happen often. 

Mt. Baker

View of Seattle

Mt. Rainier is in the background

Mt. Rainier

Part of the ticket price are free digital photos.  One is taken by a photographer where you choose the setting.

The  other was with a "selfie" camera on the observation deck. 

Once we arrived back to the bottom, we strolled around the Seattle Center --- taking more pictures of the Space Needle and the surrounding attractions, such as EMP Museum.

See us on the steps in the shade?

 
 EMP Museum

Inside museum

Riding the Monorail back downtown, we headed to Pike Place Market.   On our walk there, we saw an original Starbucks.
 

 

 There were many sights to be seen here!

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WHIDBEY ISLAND / OAK HARBOR 

Whidbey Island is where Oak Harbor is located.  Our drive to Whidbey Island was a loop tour.  We entered the island at the northern end by driving over Deception Pass Bridge, which is 180 feet tall, and then visited Deception Pass Park.

At scenic pullout before driving across the bridge:

 At park:

On coast below bridge:

Another "coast-to-coast" trip where the boys touched the Pacific Ocean!

Bridge is in the background

 

 

 

Back through the wooded trail to parking lot, enjoying the lush greenery of the ferns and trees.

We visited  this town (Oak Harbor) where NAS Whidbey Island is located.  Surprisingly after so many years, we still had some recollection of the area.  Mechanic Man remembered much more than I did of the base while I remembered more of downtown where I worked.  As with all things, changes occurred; but both of us were blurting out memories to the kids as we drove around. 

It certainly was a bittersweet stroll down memory lane of our first military base where College Girl and her older brother were born (we showed them the hospital) and where Mechanic Man worked on A6 Intruders and EA6B Prowlers ... both are no longer in military service.  (That makes Mechanic Man feel old.)

Plane on left is an A6 Intruder, and the plane on the right is the EA6B Prowler

 -- display at entrance

Another A6 on display on the base

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FINALLY … Mexican food!  Since we ate Mexican food abundantly in the south last year,  I kept my word that I would abstain from requesting a Mexican restaurant when we did eat out on this trip.  In fact, to make it even more special, we would eat Mexican in Oak Harbor at the restaurant where my work buddy above and I frequently enjoyed our lunches.  :)   However, if it weren't for my phone and GPS, I would never have found it because it moved to a bigger location.   The food was just as I remembered!

YUM YUM!

We left the island  at the southern end via a ferry.  It was a short ride back to the Seattle side where we were camping.

Mukilteo Ferry

On we drive!

On upper deck when crossing Puget Sound

GPS thought our truck was swimming!

After 3 full days in Washington, it was time to turn around.