RichinSeattle

I strongly endorse saxman's suggestion. Spend two nights in La Push and you'll fill your memory cards. On your way back to "civilization," the north side of Olympic Nat'l. Park will give you some great mountain terrain, including the previously mentioned Hurricane Ridge. As always, though, be prepared to alter your plans based on the weather. (A storm on the coast can be spectacular; a storm in the mountains is to be avoided. October is storm month.)

I'll be looking forward to seeing your results.

nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Actually, I did it in 10 days. Made the whole loop around Washington and Oregon and stopped to take pictures at every opportunity. I even watched a sailboarding competition on the Columbia River and skiied Mt. Hood that afternoon. Depends on how much you want to see.

boblaw Loc: Victoria BC

Don't forget to check out the west coast of Washington - Rialto Beach and Ruby Beach are both photographic "gems".

taxman Loc: Cleveland, Ohio

In Seattle: Kerry Park, Pike Place Market, Gihooly (sp?) Glass

Mount Rainier: there are a number of waterfalls that can be quite pretty; there's also a view of the mountain with a lake in the foreground.

Olympic peninsula: in addition to the other suggestions, definitely go to Cape Flattery. Also,go to the beaches around LaPush, particularly at sunset.

Another destination to consider is the San Juan Islands. It's a beautiful island group off the coast a little north of Seattle.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

Thank you all for very helpful suggestions.

Unclehoss

the ferry ride from Seattle to Bremerton. On a clear day that mountain sticks out like a sore thumb.

jwohlhueter

I'm a landscape shooter that has lived near Mt Rainier for 69 years. I suggest a one day loop trip around Mt Rainier. It includes great views and short walks/hikes. Enter the park on it's east side. Drive through the small town of Enumclaw. There you'll find grocery stores for snacks and water. There is also a US Forest Service Ranger Station. A great place to get any questions answered, maps, books and any permits for forest service areas outside the nat'l park. First place in the park will be Sunrise. This is the second major tourist area in the park. Try to get there near sunrise. You won't be sorry. Stop at Sunrise Point. Often, with binoculars, mountain goat and elk can se seen below the ridge line on the north side. At Sunrise take the short hike up the ridge. You don't have to go all the way up to get stunning views. I think Sunrise is the most beautiful place in the state. Next stop, Tipso Lake. Do the easy hike around the lake. If calm, photo the mtn reflection. Next stop, Grove of the Patriarch. An easy walk through a grove of ancient Douglas fir trees. Next stop, Reflection Lake. This is the iconic reflection view location for Rainier. Next Paradise, the number one tourist location in the park. Here there is a maze of hiking trails to chose from. On the way out of the park don't miss Nardia Falls and Christine Falls. Very short walks for both. We enjoy eating at the Copper Creek Inn restaurant a couple of miles outside the park.

For Seattle do Kerry Park near sunset as well as after dark. I also suggest an evening ferry ride to Bainbridge Island. View Seattle's waterfront at sunset, have dinner in a Bainbridge Island restaurant then view the waterfront after dark on the ferry ride back. If you are in a downtown hotel you may opt to walk on the ferry. If you don't do a ferry ride the city view from Alki Point is just as stunning and you can use your tripod.

For the Olympic coast I recommend seeing one or more of these beaches. Near La Push and Forks...Rialto, parking at the beach. Second Beach, 1/4 mile hike to beach. At Kalaloch... Ruby, 1/4 mile hike to beach. There are several other accessible beaches in this area as well as the Hoh River Trail. This is a long flat trail but can be experienced doing just the first mile or two. I would skip it if the preceding weeks of weather have been hot and dry. The lush ferns and mosses can lose their lushness. If the weather has been right don't miss it. Don't forget your polarizer if the sun is shining through the canopy of the trees.

September is usually a good month for weather out here. Have Fun.

IzzyKap Loc: Rockville, MD

Thank you very much for great suggestions. I am looking forward to it.

DJphoto Loc: SF Bay Area

Ditto! Make sure you stop at Lake Crescent.