Re: [a/s] The Cascades to Carnation, WA - July 24, 2000

[Judy White <dmurtha@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hunter it is wonderful to read about my beautiful home state from someone else's
perspective!  I'm in Bellevue, just east of Seattle.  (The clouds you spoke of
are the reason we don't need a/c...We have a natural marine a/c that visits
during the summer to give the natives a break from that great yellow orb in the
sky!)

For more wonderful views, try Chuckanut Drive, which goes from Bellingham, south
to Hwy 20.  Incredible views of the San Juan Islands from this winding,
cliff-hung road (not a good trailer road).  Great place for an afternoon drive
and picnic.  Think sunset for the best time.

Also, you mentioned Sequim...Go out to the west and follow the road around the
Olympic Penninsula through the rain forest and the Pacific Beaches...Trees of
sizes to rival the Redwoods and rough rocky beaches pounded by huge waves.
This area is punctuated by beautiful sandy beaches perfect for beachcombing and
frisbee with the dogs.

From the Longview area, go inland to the Mt. St. Helens National Monument...Well
worth the day it takes to go to the end of the road to the Johnston Visitor
Center.  Just remember as you're looking at the river valley as it is now, that
it used to be one of those narrow winding roads along a rushing river in tall
evergreen forests...All buried now under 100's of feet of volcanic debris...Very
awesome and humbling!

Enjoy the Evergreen State!

Judy