Encircle Washington State: The Evergreen State in the Pacific Northwest offers incredible forests, mountains, islands, bays and whale watching in the Puget Sound. After being bedazzled by the scenery, head south to visit the seaport of Seattle followed by Tacoma and then the capital city of Olympia.
This orca whale is breaching off San Juan Islands near Anacortes, Washington. The killer whale’s behavior has other names such as cresting and porpoising. This leap is called a peduncle throw because the mammal is seen rotating and pivoting its body before reentry. Scientists do not agree what this behavior means. It is likely a social signal of dominance or a warning. The orcas off the Pacific northeast are called the resident species.
Ferry Dock, Friday Harbor, WA 98250
The streets of downtown Port Angeles, Washington are a virtual gallery filled with over 40 pieces of outdoor art thanks to a project called, “Art on the Town.” Port Angeles sits at the base of the Olympic Mountains and has a major ferry terminal to Victoria, Canada. It claims to host over four million annual visitors. If you pick up one of the art walking tour booklets, you will pass this bird sculpture in front of the Feiro Marine Life Center. It appears to be a pair of double-crested cormorants. This species is commonly found fishing along the coastline.
315 N Lincoln St, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Seattle, Washington is the crown of the Pacific Northwest. With a skyline boasting over 200 high-rises – including nearly 30 skyscrapers over 400 feet – you can see why it is nicknamed The Emerald City. A great way to view downtown and Elliott Bay is from the top of the 175 foot Seattle Great Wheel. The Ferris wheel is located at Pier 57 on the Central Waterfront. It was built for the Great Western Pacific Company in 2012 at a cost of about $20 million.
1483 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98101
The Duwamish Indians first lived around Elliot Bay at the end of the last glaciers about 10,000 years ago. George Vancouver, who was an English explorer of the Pacific Northwest and lent his name to the city in British Columbia, Canada, conducted the first exploration of what is now Seattle, Washington, in 1792. It would be another 60 years before the area was settled. Since then, Seattle has grown to encircle the bay. Consider taking a wonderful cruise or boat tour especially towards dusk to enjoy a magnificent sunset.
801 Alaskan Way, Seattle, WA 98104
Two photos of Seattle, Washington are: 1) The downtown Seattle skyline and shore along the Alaskan Way Viaduct from Elliott Bay; and 2) A man watching the sunset over Elliot Bay from a chair at Olympic Sculpture Park near the red steel Eagle sculpture. The two tall buildings are the Russell Investments Center on the left and the 1201 Third Avenue Building in the center. The first was going to be the new home of Washington Mutual from its previous headquarters on the right before WaMu became an early casualty of the 2008 financial crisis. On the far right is a portion of the Seattle Great Wheel.
The Tacoma Narrows Suspension Bridge was built in 1940. The locals quickly gave it the derogatory nickname Galloping Gertie because it swayed in high winds. Four months later it collapsed. Today there are two, parallel suspension bridges in Tacoma, Washington. This is called Sturdy Gertie. Behind their suspension cables is the downtown skyline.
Tacoma Narrows Bridge, WA-16, Washington 98335
The Legislative Building serving as Washington’s State Capitol was built in 1928. The self-supporting masonry dome rises 287 feet. It is part of a government campus in Olympia including the Supreme Court (called the Temple of Justice), the Insurance Building, the Senate office building and the governor’s mansion. Washington’s statehood occurred on November 11, 1889.
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98504
The Washington State Capitol was finished in 1928. However, the Legislative Building’s rotunda did not achieve its grandeur until the mid-1980s. The huge columns were covered with an imitation marble and a Dutch metal simulating gold leaf. They are accented with arches and 148, brightly colored rosettes. Hanging from the walls are banners that resemble the state’s seal. An interesting note: Washington’s state flag is the only one with a president’s image.
416 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98504
On the state capitol grounds in Olympia, Washington is this impressive memorial to the fallen veterans of WWI called the Winged Victory Monument. The tribute includes a sailor, soldier, marine and a Red Cross nurse. The service people are standing in front of a 12 foot figure resembling the 2nd century BC sculpture of Nike called Winged Victory of Samothrace. This bronze statue by Alanzo Victor Lewis was dedicated in 1938.
302 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501