The Pacific North West

In my mind, Arizona can be gorgeously photogenic on a grand scale, but deeply disappointing up close.  Everything bites, stings, or hurts you and ultimately just resolves into dust there--it's so hot!  Maryland, and all of the original 13 colonies, are impossibly beautiful and inviting on an intimate and personal level.  Whether wandering in the woods or looking for hermit crabs on the shore, every sense happily breathes in and wants to illustrate that part of the world.   

Three years ago I discovered the Pacific Northwest, my son married a beautiful girl who lived near Seattle for most of her life, and so we keep going back...

It has everything!  Sublime mountain heights,  waves that wash right up to the trees, 

more shades of green than I thought grew naturally anywhere 

and all the sweet sensory appeal of florals, vegetation and every kind of tree.  Karen, a dear friend and neighbor when our children were small, along with her husband John McMillan, were my generous tour guides and hosts for the first day.  We traversed the Washington and Oregon shores where they've made their home.  I was on sensory overload the whole time, asking them to pull over repeatedly by sights that took my breath away.  They happily obliged every time!

The air begs to be inhaled.  With the close proximity of the ocean and every nook and cranny filled with plants and flowers, an exhilarating aroma of fresh life is everywhere.  

This isn't going to be a travelogue.  

It'd take too long--there's just too much...but I'm in love with this area!  

The architecture satisfies in both a familiar and unexpected way. 

Many homes and buildings reflect traditional early American and European influence.

But others are as unique and diverse as the individuals who call Washington and Oregon home. Living near the shore, it's clear what this resident cares about and he proudly displays it all!

And this place is a gem, complete with a dog on the porch and bluegrass music.  I took a half dozen photos and wished we had time for a pony ride! 

Hanging plants and flowers line the streets of Snohomish, WA.  This photo, compliments of Taunna Farnsworth Ormond, a talented photographer (check out her Facebook posts!), friend and tour guide for a day, reveals the areas obsession with plants and flowers.  

Nearly everyone adds to the beauty that surrounds them by planting more to embellish their homes and places of commerce. 

AND  I LOVE SEATTLE SO MUCH! 

No city is without its faults, 

but Seattle has so much to offer it's easy to overlook 'em, when so many of its residents are as nice as the family my son married into, the Halls.  Michelle and Rich rise every morning before most people realize another day's begun and would gladly share anything and everything they have to make life better.  They love life, and have the talent to know how to make this world 

new again for anyone they spend time with.