cool state washington

There’s just more to see and do Congratulations.

You’ve landed in one of the richest, most geologically varied and culturally rich spots in North America. And all you really need is time and energy. Bargains abound, and if you visit and only see what is free, you’ll still go home wide-eyed and longing to return.

Mountains high and oceans deep

Hike the Olympic Mountains or the Cascades for spring bloom, summer balm or autumn color. Ski downhill or cross-country, snowshoe or snowboard when the snow flies. Walk the rocky (and sandy) Pacific beaches; listen to the waves pound in and explore tide pools. Our mountain-bike trails attract aficionados from the far corners of America, Europe and Asia. But they are seldom crowde.

Desert plains in Washington?
When you visualize Washington, do you immediately see green forests and rain? Think again. Head east, following the Columbia River Gorge. Or travel up and over the Cascades, on one of the passes, maybe following the North Cascades Highway. It leads through one of the state’s three national parks. There are also municipal, county and state parks by the hundreds. Once past the high rock wall that divides the state, you leave the mosses and ferns and towering timbers and enter a vast desert. Here tumbleweed rolls, piling up on weathered fence posts
and rusted barbed wire. In the shallow lakes scattered about the landscape, sandhill cranes and other migrating birds swoop down to sojourn. They are both handsome and graceful. A full two-thirds of the state looks like this; it will take your breath away!