Im originally from Chicago. Moved here 13 years ago. The real friends that I have been able to make out here are all from out of state who also have moved here. Lots of folks from the midwest. Easy to make friends.

Natives are a bit harder to make genuine connections with. But not impossible. Just takes more effort. I just think the older you get and the more divided we get with technology, its harder to make real friends anywhere.

Most things we've visited are already mentioned, but we visited Hanford Reach late last year and there's a short and incredibly beautiful hike to a small sand dune there that was pretty cool. I posted some photos in this sub.

We were staying at Potholes State Park, area over there has some unique geography.

If Olympia is the hood then what does that make Tacoma?

Yakima is called "Crackima" for a reason . They promote it as "the Palm Springs" of Washington, but it's definitely a lot more like Los Angeles.

Aha! Thanks for the tip. I'm clearly not finished exploring up there. It might be funded by BIA. Very beautiful country up there (but then again, this whole state has a lot of amazing things to see!)

That is absolutely beautiful!

That’s quite a spread for the East Side.

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Bellingham - Liberals, homeless people and trash drivers.

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Did you honestly think this wasn't taken from a plane? Not sure if I'm missing your sarcasm.

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Happened to me too, you need to come to a full stop not a rolling stop. I paid the fine, learned my lesson

Me too!!

I love this place!

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Yes, Ohme Gardens! I proposed to my wife there.

If you visit Leavenworth (once is enough) I always stay in Wenatchee and have dinner at Visconti's. I have to travel to the coast once a year, and I never miss dining there.

Palouse Falls, south of Ritzville should be flowing nicely that time of year.

There's a museum there too, yes? I recall there were peacocks outside, and russian royalty gowns, etc., and clay models of famous people's hands made by Rodin (sp). There's standing model of Stonehenge along that side of the Columbia, too.

Yakima River Canyon Palouse Falls The Gorge Salmo Mountain... still on my list to go Ancient Lakes Frenchman Coulee Drive through the Blue Mountains, then Wine in Walla Walla Juniper Dunes Wilderness

Best tamales are in Union Gap Best bread Mazama store Best Jerky Owen's meats in Cle Elum

I'm sure there's a lot I'm forgetting

If you have an interest in history, check to see if there's seats available to tour B Reactor. https://manhattanprojectbreactor.hanford.gov/

The ticks will also be looking for their first spring meal about now.

On the flip side, Eastern WA has a very high Hispanic population. So many amazing taco trucks and fusion restaurants.

Just be aware that the eastern part of the state has rattlesnakes. We have been to all the western states camping and we have seen the most in Eastern Washington.