Washington State
Apr 8, 2019 10:24:29 #
If you've lived here long, you'll have heard of Emmett Watson. He wrote for the Seattle Times and, at least weekly, warned tourists of the heavy rain fall here, then reminded them of persistent sunshine in California.
Keeping that in mind, those of us that live here have waterproof, at least "weather resistant", cameras.
When you get here, go direct to Kenmore Camera at the north end of "the lake". They have a great selection of waterproof cameras. They also have a selection of rain coats for lesser cameras.
A few blocks away is Kenmore Air, the leading floatplane service in the USA. Take your camera on a thrilling scenic flight. You will be able to see from the air where you want to go next.
Keeping that in mind, those of us that live here have waterproof, at least "weather resistant", cameras.
When you get here, go direct to Kenmore Camera at the north end of "the lake". They have a great selection of waterproof cameras. They also have a selection of rain coats for lesser cameras.
A few blocks away is Kenmore Air, the leading floatplane service in the USA. Take your camera on a thrilling scenic flight. You will be able to see from the air where you want to go next.
Apr 8, 2019 10:57:59 #
If you're going to Deception Pass you could continue through Whidbey Island to Coupeville. Take the 25 min ferry ride across to Port Townsend(do make reservations for this ferry). Port Townsend is a lovely little town, a ride out to Fort Worden from there is worth your time. From P.T. you can choose to go North to Sequim & the Dungeness Nat. Refuge, Port Angelis. If you want to spend the time you can drive around the entirety of the Olympic Peninsula and end up at Ocean Shores/Westport. Lapush is a beautiful rocky beach along the way and there are cabins there to stay. From Port Townsend you can also choose to go South, across the Hood Canal floating bridge to the Kitsap Peninsula. Fort Flagler is worth a stop along this route, as is Poulsbo. Make your way to Bremerton and take the ferry across to Seattle or continue driving South to Tacoma, Olympia. These are just a few things off the top of my head. As another poster said, you're going to need more weeks. :) Enjoy!
Apr 8, 2019 11:24:28 #
Paul Best.
Loc: California desert
I have lived in Seattle since 1971. This once beautiful city has a lot of problems now. I would recommend that you view on YouTube a video called "Seattle is Dying". The downtown area of Seattle is not what it used to be. All the other recommendations above are "Right On". There is much beauty in Washington State and it can be found all over the state. Just be careful in the downtown area. It really hurts me to have to write this about the city that at one time truly lived up to the name; "The Emerald City".
Apr 8, 2019 11:29:17 #
ICN3S
Loc: Cave Junction, OR
Almost forgot.......Northwest Trek Wildlife Park ........absolutely beautiful zoo with natural enclosures, beautiful walking paths, tram, and special tours. It's located in Eatonville.
Apr 8, 2019 11:50:02 #
Paul Best. wrote:
I have lived in Seattle since 1971. This once bea... (show quote)
Paul is right. I've lived here since 1946!! Seattle is infected with the same miserable homeless crisis that Portland and San Francisco has. Seattle might have it a little worse. Tents, tarps, trash, filth and sick people are everywhere in the downtown area. If that sort of thing hurts or is offensive, try to avoid the iconic places like the Pike Street Market and Space Needle area.
Apr 8, 2019 12:48:23 #
Many fine places to shoot in Washington State. If you only have a week, I would concentrate on Western Washington in general and the Seattle area in particular. Although the architecture is mundane, we do have the Space Needle, the Amazon spheres, the Pike Place Market, the waterfront with the Great Wheel, a downtown sculpture park which provides great backgrounds and the ferries which are a must. You can walk on a ferry from downtown, either a 30 minute or 60 minutes ride one way (depending on where you choose), stay on the ferry and return to some of the best images of the skyline. Seattle has many distinct neighborhoods, including bohemian Fremont which has a statute of Vladimir Lenin, imported from the former USSR. Crowded and expensive.
Apr 8, 2019 12:54:59 #
Since you are going in mid May, keep in mind that places in the mountains like Paradise at Mount Rainier will still be under many feet of snow. Hurricane Ridge in Olympic also. However there are so many other lower places in Olympic NP that it would be a great destination that time of year.
Apr 8, 2019 12:58:18 #
lenben
Loc: Seattle
You have many great suggestions. But the distances and time can be daunting and for a one week stay, I would concentrate on Seattle and nearby destinations. If you go beyond that, you will use up 1-2 days for each so keep that in mind. Everyone is right about the weather - rain is common in May - usually a heavy drizzle rather than outright downbursts but with global warming, we have had several unusual months so be prepared.
Apr 8, 2019 13:11:58 #
I respectfully suggest that you go to www.locationscout.net and enter "Washington State" in the search bar. Locationscout.net is a free site that is run by a guy out of Germany for amateur photographers to post landscape photos from around the world. If you register (which is also free), you will have access to the directions and information that the photographer posts for that particular landscape location (parking, how crowded it is, etc.).
Here is a link to the search for Washington State on the site: https://www.locationscout.net/locations/312-washington-state
Good luck!
Here is a link to the search for Washington State on the site: https://www.locationscout.net/locations/312-washington-state
Good luck!
Apr 8, 2019 13:35:33 #
If the weather cooperates, take the fast ferry to Victoria. the sights thru the San Juan islands are spectacular
Apr 8, 2019 14:21:23 #
bobforman
Loc: Anacortes, Washington State
For a very long day you can traverse the North Cascades on Hwy 20 out of Burlington. Incredible highway if it's open from snow (should be no problem in May, but check). Views of Mt. Baker and the general Cascades and Winthrop. You can then go south back to I90 and you'll go right by Snoqualmie Falls.
Apr 8, 2019 15:20:36 #
Weather on the east side of the Cascades in mid-May is usually warm and sunny. Add to the list the wine tours in the lower Yakima valley.
Apr 8, 2019 15:26:13 #
Paul Best. wrote:
I have lived in Seattle since 1971. This once bea... (show quote)
I live in the Puget Sound area. I AVOID Seattle if I possibly can. If I were taking others on a tour of Puget Sound, I'd avoid Seattle. If I were going to visit Western Washington, I'd search out the MANY other photo opportunities in Washington State, and still need another month, here (unless you're attracted to the kind of "environment" Seattle is).
Apr 8, 2019 15:43:07 #
steve2645
Loc: Washington
dbarber71 wrote:
The outdoor sculpture garden near Pike Place Market (locals don’t call it anything else) in Seattle has some interesting pieces. A loop drive across Stevens Pass and then north to return across Hiway 20 will give you some good Mountain View’s and some pictures of the east side which is sometimes called the dry side. Check out the wineries around Lake Chelan and be sure to drive through Leavenworth. Chuckanut Drive north to Bellingham has some nice views of Puget Sound and the Olympics.
Mid-May?
If you have time, shore birds may be migrating over the ocean beaches...moclips, copalis, ocean shores...about two hours south then west of seattle
Apr 8, 2019 16:05:38 #
scooter1
Loc: Yacolt, Wa.
Zaydewise wrote:
We will be going out to Washington State in the middle of May and we were hoping some of the UHH members would have recommendations for things to do especially relating to photography. Right now I have a list that includes the Space Needle, Palouse Falls, Chihuly Gardens, Snoqualmie Falls and Deception Pass Bridge.
We will be there for at least a week.
We will be there for at least a week.
Will it all be in the Seattle area? I live out of Vancouver, Wa. and Mt. St. Helens is a worthwhile trip. Probably 2-3 hours south of Seattle. If you stay in Seattle hop some ferries to the San Juans or other islands. Mt. Rainier is nice but maybe some closed roads due to snow. A day to Olympic natl park would also be an option. Beautiful. Have fun. Hope this helps.
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