…and Eight Other Observations from My Trip to the PNW
My family and I flew to the Pacific Northwest to visit friends and extended family this fall. Here are some things I learned…
1. Seattle Has an Underworld
In Seattle, apparently underground garages are normal. Where I live in Phoenix, basements are a rarity, and anything underground feels mysterious and exciting to me. I know, that probably makes me seem really weird. You might be right.
Travel Tip: One must always pose with her suitcases even if she has terrible blisters from traipsing through airports in brand new shoes (yes, sometimes my vanity overrides my sanity).
But Seattle’s underworld stretches far beyond garages. Beneath the streets that see daylight (whenever that happens) lie streets that don’t. These are the city’s original thoroughfares, built in the mid-1800’s on sawdust-filled wetland, a construction choice that turned out to be a very, bad idea. For one, the streets frequently became soggy from rain and seawater. Worse, in 1889, a small fire fed on the sawdusted streets, causing the Great Seattle Fire to devastate much of the city. What buildings and streets didn’t burn were literally built over. Today, underground tours allow you to see some of them.
Okay, I’ve finished nerding out on history for now. On to Observation Two!
2. Mark Where You Parked
This will save you at least an hour of getting lost in Seattle. If you keep seeing the Space Needle from the same angle, this is likely a sign that you’re going in circles.
In between parking downtown and losing our minds looking for the garage again so we could meet friends for dinner, we perused Pike’s Market, spotted the original Starbucks location (lines were wrapped around the building), and braved Seattle’s famous, giant ferris wheel.
I had to take a picture with the leaves! Fall back home is not like this at all; we’re just grateful if we can turn the AC off.
3. Washington Doesn’t Care about My Hair
We all have something we’re particular about, right? Well, I don’t quite feel like Alyssa unless my hair is in place. Hence the hoodie as my family and I explored the Quinault Rain Forest in Olympic National Park, Washington. I understand its disregard, though. It’s much too busy furnishing its corner of the world with a beauty both ominous and elegant.
4. Cats are the Same in Every State
You probably already knew that. Here’s my aunt’s cat photo-bombing me and his sister cat.
5. My Fifth Time Seeing the Ocean Was as Amazing as the First
I first saw the ocean around five years old in San Diego, California. The poetry of the waves, rolls, and tide awed me then. Seeing the Pacific again all these years later was no different! I won’t tell you how many pictures and how much time I took trying to perfectly capture a wave crashing against the rocks.
And FYI, the beach doesn’t care about your hair either. I love a good hairdo, but I also love wind and will gladly take a playful gust any day!
6. Oregon Will Play with Your Emotions
Hands down, Oregon has the most beautiful coastline I’d ever seen. Silk water rippled below my highway view, oceanic colors melding into the horizon. Moving inland, the views from the winding roads were spectacular too as we passed farms and fall foliage in all its glory. Unfortunately, my stomach greatly disagreed with those winding roads. :/
7. A Visit to Tillamook Is Worth the Drive
In case you are wondering, Tillamook cheese and ice cream is perfectly safe to eat after getting motion sick on the drive to their headquarters and visitor center. Trust me, I tested both to make sure.
Pro Tip: It is important that you wear the company’s brand colors and wear cheese earrings so everyone knows you are a dairy-lover.
8. Take the Back Roads
Driving through Oregon back-country in fog at twilight produces watercolor-like pictures. Incredible!
9. Creation Mirrors God’s Power
If God can make dead leaves a thing of beauty and detail tiny mushrooms and use dandelion dust, how much more can I trust in His promises for me?
Photos – Alyssa Marie Bentham ©
