Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Monday, July 21, 2014

Green Green, It's Green They Say

Washington's nickname is The Evergreen State -  nicknamed by C.T. Conover, pioneer Seattle realtor and historian, for its abundant evergreen forests. The nickname was adopted by the Legislature in February, 1893.  

Modern residents also refer to "evergreen" as relating to the abundance of green, everywhere, not just the  evergreen forests.  Quilters in Washington sometimes think of green as a neutral color, since we are surrounded by green.  Today lets look at trees.
 Hillsides covered in  trees

 At center right you can see the top of a car - this is the view as we drive along I-5 - trees everywhere 

More hillsides along the hiway 
Trees as far as the eye can see  
Trees!! 

A car with three canoes on top - this site is almost as frequent as the trees 
Heading into the rest stop - you have to just believe that it is there - amongst all the trees
 Two curves and there are the cars at the rest stop 
 Trees in and around the rest stop - there are also picnic tables among the trees
 Pull in for a peaceful, green rest  
Not far past the Rest Stop is a truck weigh station - can you see the sign and the lights directing the trucks all nestled up in the trees?
The light post showing an on-ramp on the freeway - almost hidden by trees 
Another road below us - cutting through the trees 

Speed limit signs (lower almost-center) are often hidden by trees. 
Watch for the exit signs - the trees surround it 
At the top of the exit - more trees
Heading down the hill into Skagit Valley - trees and trees - and a sign telling us of good places to eat 
Along with the trees there are lots of boulders and rock hillsides along the freeway.  In the springtime water cascades down the rocks 
A view of distant hills - taken from the moving car 
Rounding a curve - more trees 
 And down the hillside into Skagit Valley - which is a very flat agricultural area - surrounded in the far distance by mountains

 Trees covering a small hill on a farm (on the way to visit Julee)
Trees at the beach - a picnic canopy on the small strip of grass between the beach and the woods. 
Wild roses, blackberries and trees in Birch Bay State Park
A sunny afternoon among the trees - see the bike rider far ahead? 
Mountains with trees and trees on a point in a lake
  A country road - fields surrounded by trees 
A hiking trail through the trees in Bellingham
 And back home,we are surrounded by trees
 Across from our yard (that is a vintage cultivator in the front yard - Ben likes to push it around on the lawn)
 The trees protect us from the wind - it is very calm on our deck (you can see the edge of the ramp and deck on the left.  Our green deck umbrellas blend in with the trees.

This is just a tiny sampling of trees and green in the NW corner of Washington - I hope you found it relaxing, just as we do, surrounded by trees.  The Eastern part of our state is far different - from famous fruit orchards to thousands of acres of wheat farms.

Is there something spectacular about your state that you enjoy?

10 comments:

J said...

We have an abundance of trees in Michigan too. Visitors from other states often comment on how green everything is here. The landscape in your area is much hillier though. I loved following your picture trail though the "tunnels" of protective trees!
The woods in back of our house protect us from too much wind, particularly in winter. We have that in common!

Kay said...

I heard on the radio that Washington has about 250 trees for each resident. I've wanted to use that statistic ever since!

Julie said...

Thank you for all the lovely comments lately. I'd be interested if you do decide to make a tea cup posy :) You live in a beautiful part of the world. My daughter would love it as she's crazy about trees! We don't have so many trees here but it is green and lush - a tour guide recently said that's why we're so good at dairy and sheep in this area but not so good for arable. Still no red on my tomatoes - I'm so impatient! x

greenthumb said...

It's so very green and pretty.

Lorrie said...

Beautiful scenery is what we're known for - that includes lots of trees and mountains and ocean views. Such a beautiful part of the world. We are blessed.

Lori E said...

I love the trees. In some areas of BC there almost desert like conditions with brown hillsides. Ugh. Not for me. Take me down to the rainforest hillsides.

Anonymous said...

"tree"mends photos

Mary said...

Imagine the animals on those green hillsides - wouldn't it be wonderful to climb them! Well perhaps 20 years ago - could never do it now!

Mary x

Powell River Books said...

The first time I drove north while moving my mom from California to Bellingham, I was amazed at the section between the Skagit Valley and south Bellingham. It is such a beautiful drive through the trees and by the lake. I never tire of driving that section. - Margy

Carla said...

Beautiful views. --Lots of green and trees.
thanks for sharing