Reason 27: Dessert meets Mountain meets Forest meets Islands meets Ocean

 Washington State has a diverse landscape. 

This is how East Washington looks like:

Moving West-wards,  here's Snoqualmie Pass where we go skiing every winter, our home snow mountain.

Moving further west, in the Sound area, pebble beaches like this are pretty common:

A bit further more West, more and more evergreen trees and forests await.

Until reaching the Ocean Shore, here, meet with sandy ocean beach.

Reason 26: Autumn, vibrant colours on full display

 It is true that Autumn marks the start of rain reason;  It is also true that Autumn is a photography-frenzy season.

Autumn vibrant colours are on full display everywhere, all I need to do is to step out of the house, have a leisure stroll in the neighbourhood.  Once a year, this is the time of the year to soak my sense in the Autumn Paradise!

Reason 25: Evergreen State, I love Green Trees and Blue Water

 Rocky Mountain is awe-inspiring, California Dessert is breathtaking, New York City is bustling.....

I'm fully soaked and embrace myself when I am in a new city and surrounding.  

But despite my excitement and eagerness to explore, after a week or two, I start to miss the green forests, fresh after-rain air, and blue ocean water.

If I must name a few things that I would never be tired of seeing, it would be green trees and blue ocean water.  What was exactly what I searched when my husband asked me whether or not I wanted him to accept the job offer and move to Seattle.  "Well, it's by the water, and lots of trees, so sure, why not!" answered I.  

Though the reality was quite different from what I originally painted in my head,  looking back, I started to feel, Washington State is beautiful and I actually love living here.

Reason 24: Dogs are welcome in State Parks

 I mean dogs ARE welcome in Washington State Parks, not just on paved roads, in car parks and campgrounds, but also on trails and beaches.

I had always taken this "dog right" for granted, until, when I was holidaying in California, and realised Jasper, my baby boy, was not allowed in most of the state parks and sandy beaches.

Although we did have a good vacation with some sandy beach water fun, thanks to the google search and help from the locals, this got me to re-think how awesome Washington State Parks are!

It is true that beaches, even ocean beaches, in Washington State, are not the same look and feel as the sandy beaches in California, but the fury family members don't have to be left home in a sunny and warm day when sea breezes and ocean waves sound so inviting!

Reason 23: Yellow Traffic Direction Line

 Not sure if I got the term right, I mean the Yellow Line in the middle of the road, to separate the traffic of opposite directions.

This saves my stress and life!  It doesn't matter if it is 4-lane south 1-lane north or it is 2-lane south 2-lane north, I am in no panic when doing a left turn thanks to the super helpful Yellow Line !

Reason 22: Mango Language Paid Account

I have been experimenting language learning via mobile apps, youtube  channels and websites.  Recently I  discovered that I could use paid version of Mango Language app/website with my King County Library Account.

How Wonderful!

I have had several apps installed on my Android mobile phone, except for Deutsche Welle, a cost-free and ad-free app, thanks to the Deutsch government, all other apps are commercial advertisements filled, being a free version.

And now, I have this Mango Language, with no ads, though feature-wise, it is quite similar to my other language learning apps, but hey again, no ads, it has climbed the ladder, becoming my second favourite app, (sorry but Deutsche Welle is still my Number One favourite). 

Every time, opening Mango Language, I say "Thank you, King County Library"! :-)

Reason 21: Library Service: how many books can I borrow? As many as you like

- "Can I really borrow as many books as I like?"
- "Yes."
- "No limit?"
- "No limit at all"


I just wanted to get affirmation of my understanding.

I probably should not have been surprised because it is the same at my local library in Melbourne.

Still, it is super awesome that the limit is unlimited on how many books one can borrow a time.

I love libraries, I love the online catalogs, I love the reservation service, I love the book check-out / return facilities.

This is the place that I borrowed and finished <<Great Expectations>> and other thick books;  This is the place that I borrowed and finished <<Rangers Apprentice>> and other popular series;  This is the place that I build up my "To Read" book list.

Libraries are amazing, aren't they?

Reason 20: Alaska Airlines, baggage collection in 20 minutes

I do think this is a selling point, that air travellers are promised to be able to collect their baggage at carousel in 20 minutes after the airplane door opens.  And to date, in my two and half years of air travel total of 58 flights with Alaska Airlines, it has happened only once that I am not able to get my baggage within 20 minutes.

Here's the promise from Alaska Airlines:
====
If your bags are not at baggage claim within 20 minutes of your plane's arrival at the gate, we'll offer you a $25 discount code for use on a future Alaska Airlinesflight, or 2,500 Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan™ bonus miles.
====

Why do I think this is impressive?  Well, I used to fly with Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Dragonair, and I have flown with several other airlines too, awaiting baggage at the carousel is not something fun at all.

Salut, Alaska Airlines!

Reason 19: Splitting Bill? Sure, no problem

It really opened my eyes when I discovered the easy-going Splitting Bill thingy in restaurants.

"That's truly amazing and wonderful!" I said to my inner self.

Back in Melbourne, we do split bills but in a way like we do our own calculations find out our individual share of cost, and then put money on the table, then the "table manager", usually the one who talks the most or the one who doesn't have cash in the wallet, will collect all the money and pay the bill.

As I had been splitting bills like this for my entire life, I used to think that was the norm, until....... the magic door to hassle-less splitting bill opened!

Now, I go out to restaurants with friends and co-workers, eat, drink, share food, share stories, share good time, when it comes to the bill payment, we pay individually, either splitting bill evenly, or pay for our own food.

Isn't it wonderful?????!!!!!!

Reason 18: Jasper can shop his own birthday presents

You may have noted by now that I love my fury baby boy to the level that I am ready to do anything for him.

By now, you probably would not be surprised that how over the moon I was when I learnt that Jasper was welcome in a pet shop shopping for his own birthday presents!!!!!!!

Yes, that was how he got his new birthday toys.

We were like, in the pet store, his human brother and sister were busy showing him the potential toys they thought he might enjoy, squishy-swishy froggy, fluffy-plushy teddy, chewy- screwy monkey.... Jasper was like, examined the toys with his wise eyes, tasted the toys with his superior nose, giving his approval or dis-approval with his remarkable body language: Yes, this is good;  No, I don't want that....

After 30 minutes or so, we singled out 3 toys from a dozen.

That evening, who was the happiest in the family?  ME!!!!!  Because seeing my baby boy playing with his new toys makes me stupendously happy!!!!!!

Reason 17: Walking Trail for lazy afternoons: Cedar River Trail@Renton

I took the 3 kids to Cedar River Park for exploring the Offleash park, and discovered this walking trail.


Immediately I fell in love with this pleasant, peaceful and easy walking trail.  It reminds me of Anniversary Trail back in Melbourne where is very close to our home.

Unlike Issaquah Offleash Park,  Cedar River Offleash Park is flat and even, there are a few young trees which will grow tall and big one day to provide some shade.


Jasper loves this park, he had a ball!

We love the trail, it's sooo perfect for a lazy afternoon stroll, here we can have chats and conversations, without worrying the background noise.  Trees on both sides provide shade, so even in the warm afternoon, it's still cool and pleasant.



 


(Anniversary Trail in Melbourne Australia)

Reason 16: WA-17N --> Park Lake Rd NE in Coulee, a distant cousin of Great Ocean Road

This is not really in Seattle Metro Area, but within 3hrs' reach.

If you haven't been to Coulee WA, please do organize a day trip there.  If you love to feast your eyes on rolling mountains and massive greens, you would love the special treat of Rocks and Lakes in Coulee......

The road trip to Coulee / Dry Falls from Seattle via I-90 is scenery, the last section of the road reminds me of Great Ocean Road back home (Victoria Australia).  I shall re-visit this place over and over again.....



 
(WA-17N --> Park Lake Rd NE in Coulee)

vs

 
(Great Ocean Road)



 
(Dry Falls)


(Overlooking Columbia River)

Reason 15: Free Toys in Offleash Park

Peek-a-Boo, I see you!  I see free balls and Frisbee in the offleash park.  These are provided by either council or the local community.  They are quite camouflaged in the grass, can you spot them?

Reason 14, Mt Rainier, you are sooooooo magnificent!

I admit that my geography knowledge which most people think "common sense" isn't common sense to me.

I made extra effort to map Mt Rainier out and gained acquaintance with her.

So, here is the Mt. Rainier, the mountain that I see in the distance everyday on the way to work and home.  I admire her beauty every time when I see her.

When other bus commuters are busy with their books and phones, I look outside of the windows, for the lakes, the green in the distance, and her, Mt Rainier, make the bus journey scenery.

On one bus commute, my next-seat neighbor, she turned her phone on, and captured a picture of Mt Rainier.  I was so glad when she did it, for there was someone else think it was a special moment.

Reason 13: Ski day-trips, I'm looking forward to it!

Winter is supposed to be cold and white, in my little ideal world.

Back in Melbourne, we had an annual weekly-trip to Mt Hotham a snow mountain every winter, it's a 8-hour drive one way.

Here in Seattle, I'm constantly told that how close the ski trails are and how convenient the ski trips are.  And I'm very excited and looking forward to my first ski season this coming winter, even though I still must wait for another 6 months.

So, if you see me in my knee brace and on skis, don't be alarmed, I may not be as mobile as everyone else on the snow, I may be clumsier than most of people, but I'm still functional, and I'm still able to ski and enjoy the snow...............  (Yes, I get those kind questions every day every ski season: Vera, what happened to you leg?  Vera, are you OK?)

Reason 12: No FLIES in summer

No doesn't mean absolute ZERO.  If you compare 1 fly against 100 flies, it's NO enough for me.

One of a few very very very annoying things in Australia is big juicy buzzing flies, they just won't leave you alone doesn't matter how you shoo them shoo...............  You may safely assume spring is around the corner once you spot those flies buzzing around you.....

I became such an expert catching flies with a plastic bag because of such daily practice in spring and summer.

You now may understand how delightful I am when I'm in a relatively fly-free zone here in Seattle.

Reason 11: Rocky Beach and Beach Umbrellas, how do these 2 fit??????

I had never ever imagined that I could possibly relax and enjoy myself under a beach umbrella on a rocky beach for 2 hours, until a few weeks ago........

Caught by surprise or rather poorly prepared, our weekend day trip landed on this rocky beach.  Surrounded by glum faces, I felt discouraging and bearing all the silent blame for taking the family to this beach.....

Well, let's try something, something that we've never done before..............

And Voila, here we go, it turns out not bad at all, lying on the rocks......

Reason 10: Bike Rack on Buses

If Norway is a paradise for cyclists, Seattle Buses provide a solution to HYBRID BUS&Bike riders.....

The bike rack is fitted on all public buses and so easy and quick to use.  I reckon even I would be able to strap my bike to the rack without any additional assistance.

I wonder whose idea it was? and who designed and engineered the very fist bike rack to the buses?

Reason 9: Hiking Trails are just next door

5pm on a pleasant late spring Sunday, I was doing my jigsaw puzzle in the backyard, the kids came and wanted to go for a walk.......

"How about the trail on the other side of I-90 freeway?"  I suggested, I had always wanted to explore that trail.

Packed the water bottles, changed to hiking boots, Triple checked the mobile phones, we jumped into the car.....

Literally 7 mins later, we were at the trailhead.  And we completed the trail before it got dark.

All 3 kids and I enjoyed this particular trail immensely.

It's "Adventure Trail", if you're interested in.  It's not busy, so we get to feel like we are in the proper woods, full of invisible fairies.  Because it's away from I-90 freeway, it's quiet, peaceful...............

Reason 8: Toilet Seat Covers, what a PLUS!

It is inevitable to use a public toilet.

Thought we don't often talk about it, I discovered the delight immediately during my very first toilet visit at the Seattle airport the day we just landed......  TOILET SEAT COVER!

Later on, I've made a conclusion that it IS common here to provide toilet seat covers in public toilets, or in restaurants/cafes etc.

Hey, Australia & Hong Kong, when will you adopt this good practice?