RVcruzer.com - Washingon

Washington State is the most northernmost state in the continental US. At it's northernmost reaches in the San Juan Straits you'll actually see Canada to the south of you. The rugged uplifted coastline that runs most of the length of Oregon still exists in Washington but it begins to dwindle. Instead, the Cascades form their highest points here and the mountains become more solid instead of fragmented. At it's tip, in the Olympic Peninsula, Mount Olympus stands tall overshadowing everything on the coast. Most of the entire Olympic Peninsula forms Olympic National Park, which encompasses a diversity of regions from high alpine tundra, to hot springs, and rain forests. The mountains taper down on the east side, eventually giving way to the Pudget Sound and Seattle. In the north central regions of the state the North Cascades are filled with stunning mountain lakes and streams. Washington's economy is divided between timber harvestry and technology. The vast coastline and shores of it's many sounds and canals provide excellent opportunities for the seafood industry. The Cascade range's most volatile peaks found in Washington. Many volcanoes exist such as Mount Rainier, Mount Baker, Mount Adams, and of course the well known Mount St Helens.

When crossing northern Washington the most scenic route is highway 20, which take you right through North Cascades National Park. This scenic road will take you through mountain valleys, alongside streams and lakes, and over some tall mountain passes. This image is taken approaching Washington Pass, the highest point in the crossing.

This waterfall is typical along the Cascades Scenic Highway. In June the snowmelt brings many of these to life as the runoff descends through the valleys.

This footbridge crosses a stream that follows the Cascades route as it winds through the valleys.

Many streams flow from the Cascades as they make their way to the Skagit Valley.

Nestled in the heart of the north Cascades, Ross Lake reflects the teal and blue colors at this high altitude.

Seattle's Space Needle is a popular attraction in downtown Seattle. Built in 1962 for the world's fair it was the tallest building west of the Mississippi at it's time and offers panoramic views that look out over the Seattle skyline, Lake Victoria, and the Pudget Sound.

Seattle was originally built beneath the see level. This caused many problems for the early inhabitants who eventually built up over this area. A trip beneath the streets and sidewalks of today's downtown Seattle will reward the explorer with views of old structures no longer used.

The Washington State Ferry system is popular mode of transportation. Driving time from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle is the major portion of a day as drivers need to circumnavigate the Pudget Sound by driving down to Olympia and then back up. Also, access to Whidbey Island and Fidalgo Island is virtually impossible except by ferry. A larger number of ferries and routes exist and vehicles of any size can board them.

Orcas, also known as Killer Whales, can be seen in the Straits of San Juan, near San Juan Island. Three resident pods of Orcas spend their time frolicking in the water and consuming salmon that swim through the strait. These are full time inhabitants, not transients passing through, and a number of tours are available from boat operators in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island as well as from Anacortes on Fidalgo Island.

Orca Whales sometimes jump out of the water to resound with a crash when they return. This behavior is known as a breach and can be used to signal other Orcas as to this whale's whereabouts or it can be just play.

There is a family of eagles that seem to be regulars at American Camp on San Juan Island. This eagle was photographed in a tree close to it's nest where eaglets were getting ready to fledge.

The largest of the three major San Juan Islands, Orcas Island is accessible by ferry. The island is very scenic and offers some great views from the tower atop Mount Constitution.

In the middle of Orcas Island is Moran State Park, named after a former mayor of Seattle. Moran has a number of lakes as well as Mount Constitution and affords scenic overlooks over the Straits of San Juan.

Orcas Island also includes a world class skate park where national championships are held.

Washington has plenty of bald eagles, mainly due to the plentiful supply of salmon to feed on in the many streams and sounds. This bald eagle was seen near Lime Kiln State Park on San Juan Island.

Separating Whidbey Island from Fidalgo Island to the north, Deception Pass was discovered by Captain John Vancouver in 1792. The strong current deceived them into thinking that they had stumbled onto the fabled Northwest Passage and so gave Deception Pass it's name. The vehicle bridge that connects the two islands was built in 1935 and is 976' long.

Looking east from Deception Pass the waters flow into Skagit Bay, and eventually the Pudget Sound. The small island shown is Ben Ure's Island. The island became infamous in the 1880s when Ben used it to help smuggle illegal Chinese immigrants for local labor past the US Customs Department. Ben would tie the immigrants up in burlap bags for ease in transport. If the customs agents would approach he'd throw them overboard. The currents would then carry the bodies to San Juan Island where they'd end up in an area eventually knows as Dead Man's Bay.

The Straits of San Juan de Fuca connect the Pudget Sound to the Pacific Ocean lying to the west. It passes north of Washington State and south of Vancouver Island. This shot was taken from Fort Worden just before sunset.

Point Hudson is the northernmost tip of the Discovery Peninsula and is part of Port Townsend. The lighthouse marks the spot where the shipping lanes from the Straits of San Juan de Fuca in the west, make their southerly turn into Admiralty Inlet and on down the Pudget Sound to the seaports in Seattle and Olympia.

Built around the turn of the century, Fort Worden was a coastal artillery defense fort. It's large 12" disappearing guns were imbedded into revetments in the high cliffs above and were designed to protect the seaports and naval bases of the Seattle and Bremerton areas from naval attack. After aerial combat proved it's mettle in World War II, battleships ceased to be a threat and the fort was phased out. The existing bunkers and gun emplacements are still in place and is now managed by the Washington State Park system. Fort Worden was also the scene where the film Officer and a Gentlemen was filmed.

Mount Baker, is the second most active volcano in the Cascade Range (after Mount St Helens). At 10,778' it's one of the the jewels of northwest Washington. Most of the time the dense cloud cover and fog enshrouds the Mountain from view. This particular June evening, as the sun set, the clouds moved away for a brief moment, revealing the pink of the setting sun on it's snow covered slopes. The lighthouse at Port Townsend's Point Hudson is in the foreground.

One evening as a Port Townsend shower moved off a rainbow appeared. Just as I maneuvered to include the lighthouse into the same scene a deer walked into the frame and positioned itself. You can plan and prepare all you want but sometimes the best images are when you pray and God gives them to you.

The Olympic Mountains form the interior of the Olympic Peninsula and carry down to the shores of the Straits of San Juan at the north. This view was taken from around Sequim as the early morning clouds revealed some of their peaks. The largest, Mount Olympus, is 7,962' and has eight glaciers. It's closest point of access is via Port Angeles to the north.

Typical of many streams within the park, this stream in the Sol Duc region of Olympic National Park shows evidence of the moist conditions that exist here.

In the Sol Duc area are hot springs but one of the most famous attractions is Sol Duc Falls. A hike back into the forest will eventually reveal it's location.

Visible from to the Hurricane Ridge area in Olympic National Park it's possible to see Carrie Glacier from the road's end. A number of neighboring peaks in the Olympic Mountains can be seen from this vantage point and fields of colorful wildflowers blanket the area in July.

The western side of the Olympic Mountains forms a barrier to the moist air blowing in from the Pacific. To the east is a rain shadow where very little moisture is found. To the west is a moist area that fosters growth of huge Douglas Fir trees and other vegetation. This particular area is the Hoh Rain Forest and it's average annual precipitation is between 140 and 167 inches of rain every year. This area is a protected habitat and is part of Olympic National Park.

The high annual rainfall amounts in Hoh Rain Forest provides ideal growing conditions for it's vegetation. In this case a dead tree had fallen to the ground and the moist conditions have hastened it's rot. The seeds from the healthy tree towering over it have fallen and taken root in the old tree and several new trees have sprung forth from the ruins of another. These are common in the Hoh Rain Forest and are called Colonnades.

Near the southern end of Olympic National Park is Kalaloch, an area filled with wonder as the rain forest meets the sea. Along the ocean's shore you'll see many snags and large trees washed up on the many beaches to the north. It's a popular area with bald eagles and a hike at low tide can be rewarding. Ruby Beach is the northernmost beach along this stretch, and undoubtedly the most scenic.

Burls are outgrowths on trees. Redwood burls become more prevalent in the cool, moist conditions of southern Washington. This burl was one of many seen in the rain forests north of Kalaloch.

Mount St. Helen's catastrophic eruption of May 18, 1980 permanently changed the area around it. Once a prime logging area, the devastation from this blast destroyed untold acres of prime timber habitat. It's lateral blast was the most deadly, sending rocks and hot mud for 12 miles to the north of the mountain. The mudflows and lahars that followed permanently changed the Touttle River valley forever. It's crater is now slowly refilling itself with lava flows as the mountain rebuilds itself. This image shows the lava dome inside the crater and the steam plume from the vented lava.