Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA (Pt. 4)

The Pacific Northwest offers so many different activities I couldn’t fit them all in to one article.  Last week I shared our favorite forest hikes and indoor activities, this week we’re outside exploring the landmarks that make the PNW unique!

See and Seas!

There are a lot of sights outside to see in the area. You don’t have to go far. When I asked friends about the “can’t miss sights” they mentioned Mt. Rainier National Park, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument and Mount St. Helen’s Visitor Center.

One friend said don’t miss the Orca Islands. She suggested an Orcas kayaking trip. A quick Google search provided plenty of ways to see the islands. The suggestions I found were primarily in the San Juan Islands north of Whidbey Island, perfect for you NAS Whidbey Island folks!

You could, and should, check out Whidbey Island on your way to see the Orcas if you do not already live there. There is a great MWR recreation area called Cliffside RV Park right on the water. Our family loved hiking and exploring for the little time we were able to spend there.

Also on this trip, you can head south across the sound and go to Sequim, “the Lavendar Capital of North America”. During the Lavender Festival in July, they celebrate all things lavender. You can get tours of the farms and pick your own blooms. Then, have a snack and drink some lavender lemonade.

Back near Seattle you should see the Ballard (Hiram M. Chittenden) Locks that allow ships to ascend in elevation. It is an amazing feat of engineering to witness, compliments of our very own Army Corps of Engineers!

Oregon Adventures

Another amazing watery site is the Multnomah Falls on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. It is the largest waterfall west of the Mississippi River. Sadly, there was a forest fire the summer before we went, so much of the park was closed. But even going to stand at the foot of the waterfall was pretty awe inspiring.

If you are a child of the 80’s as I am, when I say Oregon, you might think of the classic 80’s movie “Goonies”. Admittedly, this movie was my favorite growing up. So, we went to Astoria, where “Goonies” was filmed.

It is a cute fishing town turned tourist destination, thanks to Mikey, Chunk and Sloth. Come back later and see my whole article about this trip. But in the meantime, if you go, check out any of the restaurants on the Columbia River where you get a view of the barges passing by.

Also, do not miss the Columbia River Maritime Museum. It gave me an appreciation of what our Coast Guard friends go through for training. Their hardest school is nearby at the confluence of the Columbia River and Pacific Ocean.

Cannon Beach is a popular stop, no matter the weather. It is the beach featuring the car chase scene in “Goonies”. However, it is about a 40 minute drive from Astoria south on Rt 101.

When you get there, the beach may prompt you to say, “That wasn’t a realistic chase scene in the movie!”

But it’s a fun sight to see if you are a movie buff. How many movies can you name that feature this beach?

Idaho, More than Potatoes

My favorite place in Idaho was Coeur d’Alene, tucked in to the state’s northeastern corner. It is a cute city or small town with the Coeur d’Alene lake central to its tourism. We camped next to and hiked around the lake.

Northern Idaho looks very different from the drier lands of the south. It is green and lush, mimicking that of the mountains in the snowier areas to its north.

You can also find the Evel Knievel Snake River jump site in Twin Falls, Idaho on the south end of the state. We visited this monument of dirt while on a brief walk for us to stretch our legs before a long car ride.

Other Gems

Don’t forget that the Yellowstone National Park stretches along the eastern side of Idaho and western side of Wyoming, making the Gem State a great place to stay on the way to or from the park.

The list of “can’t miss sites” really can go on for pages and pages. The Pacific Northwest has plenty of cities to explore, oceanside villages to discover and mountain getaways to see.

Speaking of which, don’t forget about the small Bavarian town of Leavenworth. Check out my Christmas time visit to this Alpine town nestled in the Cascade Mountains!

Thriving, not just surviving

While we lived in Washington state, I turned 40. I thought I was depressed because I hit middle age. No, it turned out that I needed the sun. It should have been my mission to get rays.

If you are a fellow heliophile, I suggest venturing across the Cascade Mountains to the east side periodically. In the wettest months take some time and go for hikes or sightsee in the high desert. The sunshine will be a balm to your mental wellness.

When you can’t get to the other side of the mountain, keep a sun lamp nearby and use it often! (There are a variety of brands and styles to choose from for affordable prices on Amazon. Just type in “sun lamp light therapy”).  To be totally honest, I struggled without having the sunshine more regularly throughout the year.

As with any move, it is what you make it. We did create fun memories. The surroundings were majestic and the wildlife was unlike any I had encountered before.

There are many gems in the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy getting out and exploring. And don’t be afraid to get a little wet doing it.