DH I moved to just outside Seattle almost 2 years ago, and we got extraordinarily lucky. The neighborhood where we bought our house has a very active community club, and a neighbor who runs a microbrewery with regular events all summer long. We met our neighbor friends within the first couple months, and still hang out regularly.

I agree with other posters, finding community activities to take part in is a great way to meet people. Join a community choir/band/sport, go to meetups, find people with similar interests, and most importantly: exchange information. Be willing to ask people for their numbers/ social media contacts and then, perhaps the hardest part, contact them and invite them to do something with you. This may take several tries to organize something, but being willing to be the one to make plans and invite someone has been crucial to making social connections for me.

I'm doing my part!

Getting ready to join our kids in the PNW from Florida, these photos give me hope that’s it’s not all gloom! Beautiful shot!

Where is this? I feel like it's along I-90 before hitting Moses Lake, but I may be wrong.

I literally just drove past this about 2 hours ago.

I was about to say the same thing! I used to live on the south side of Kendall when I was little, up on the hill.

Looks like you’re out on Cottonwood! I ride my bike there to train when the wind isn’t as strong as it is today lol

Then you're either blind or ignorant 😂

Next time, hike up to the horses. You won't regret it.

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When I think of "The West," I tend to think more of vistas like this.

For anyone who is looking for it, it is on I-90 just NE of the Columbia River bridge at Vantage. It is closed for the season: https://maps.northwestportal.com/outdoors/#11.26/46.964149/-119.985398?search=true&f=namelc&q=wildhorse%20monument

I stop every time I drive from Spokane to Seattle. It’s beautiful.

Some areas look like Norwegian fjords. I love this state.

YUP. It's more passive like people are saying. In po-dunk areas, I've had baby powder thrown on me in high school and told to go home to Iraq (I'm Indian lol??), in the city it's low-key like a date asking me why I ordered meat when I'm Hindu (I'm not). Then there's the oblivious kind where all colors of people assume I'm Hispanic, and start asking me about tips on making Hispanic dishes, or how to say a certain Spanish word. So it's not just the white people that are oblivious and lack global awareness, it's literally everyone. You have to keep people in check about this crap but I've never been in danger due to it either. I was born in CA as well and there was bullying from black and Mexican people the most towards me, so overall, you just have to be aware idiots are everywhere. I don't think it's especially pronounced here though. I just think they're getting used to having mixed communities.

That being said, the high school(s) I went to now have a multitude of kids of all colors walking together, holding hands, etc. Times have been changing for the better.

very nice -

to me at least - this is the perfect sky with the perfect amount of clouds!

It’s called the Scenic Overlook, should be a pulloff as you’re getting to the bridge headed Westbound I-90 or coming back from that general farmland area. It’s got some cool history on a metal placard and a nice walkway to stretch those road tripping legs. I’d stop there a lot on my Summer trips back from boating on Moses Lake as a kid.

What’s this spot?

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It really is. I have a video of me screaming into the wind at this spot. The gorge is gorge-ous.

I am a white man over 60, so I am not in the demographic to experience racism.

Let's just say that I have been harassed for an Obama sticker in several different small towns that have a single gas station, and only a small store for shopping. Forks, Omak, Lynden. Some town on the way to Mt. rainier. Some town in the Palouse. Several of those used a racial slur, others called me a communist.

I lived in Seattle for about 9 years. I never heard racist comments toward any group while there. I have heard plenty of insensitive comments off the beaten path.

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If you do rainier, plan on getting to the park at the butt crack of dawn. It fills up very quickly.

you can contact https://pugetsoundkeeper.org/ if your neighbor is dumping into the creek

Welcome to Vancouver! If you have time, I love a day trip out to Hood River, OR. There are several short hikes (less than a mile roundtrip) that take you to waterfalls along the 84 highway plus a couple of stops for beers and food along the way. Then you end the day exploring Hood River which is super quaint and cute. It's my absolute favorite side trip to bring out of town guests! I even wrote a little article guide about it if you're interested.

Aside from that, Downtown Vancouver is a fun place to hang out. There are a lot of cool shops to see. Amaro's Table, Thirsty Sasquatch, Little Conejo, Heathen Brewing are all downtown must visits.

Other cool hikes are Beacon Rock, Cape Horn trail, Ape Cave, and Moulton Falls (my personal fave).