1. The Mountains
The Pacific Northwest has some of the biggest mountains in America. One of my favorite trails I hiked was Hurricane Ridge, which was mainly a ridge trail. The snow tipped mountains stretch on and on and they really do seem like they were made for the gods.
2. The Rainforest
In the Hoh Rainforest there are green's that you could never dream possible. he vegetation is so thick it's like you're drowning in ferns! There's also, of course, the Redwood Forest, which is probably the most famous rainforest in America because it has the tallest trees in the world.
3. The Volcanos
Many of the mountains out west are actually volcanos, such as Mount St. Helens, Mount. Rainier, and the Three Sisters. Because of past eruptions, lava beds have been left behind, leaving miles of rocks. If you walk on them, be careful and don't slip! You will get cut. Because I'm so clumsy, I had a cut on my hand for a month.
4. The Coastline
A lot of people take a beautiful scenic route that stretches for miles. We took a route along the coastline in Oregon and stopped every so often to climb on rocks and look for whales and dolphins. At one point, we were so close to a whale, we could hear it's moans and see water spraying out of it's spout. My favorite part though, was how rocky the coast was. I sprinted along them, jumping from one to the next and snapping photos here and there.
5. The Tide Pools
All throughout the coast there's tide pools teaming with marine life that washed in. Starfish, sea anemones, and crabs stick to the beds like rocks. I remember poking the anemones, which felt almost like jelly, and they would shrink up around my finger. There were starfish with small suction cups that wriggled around in our hands like an alien life form.
6. Wizard Island Crater Lake
This magnificent lake has a volcano dropped right in the middle of it named Wizard Island. The lake and sky themselves are an incredible azure blue. When hiking around it, you will be stunned and continue rubbing your eyes to try and convince yourself you're awake. While, I unfortunately didn't get to stay overnight, there are incredible stars that sprinkle the sky above Crater Lake.
7. The Quirks
I'm going to admit, there are some strange things in the West. I ate at Voodoo Donuts in Portland, which is a donut shop that sells the scrumptious treats in the shape of a person. Then, you are given a pretzel and you stab it until jelly oozes out. I went to Seattle during the Bite of Seattle Festival. I ate a rambutan fruit, which looks like this pokey nut on the outside, and like a slug on the inside. But, it was cool and almost melon like. Also in Seattle, there was a singing Chihuly garden made of all different colored glass.
Jump on a plane and go today!!
Have you been to the Pacific Northwest? What's your favorite part? Or your favorite part of the East Coast? Comment below and let me know!
