Enjoying nature near Seattle
 

I have been pouring over numerous threads, and I now believe there's some truth to the adage "the more you learn, the less you know"! <BR>My husband and I love nature, scenery, outdoor recreation. Originally, we had planned to see Seattle and Olympic National Park and Victoria and/or Vancouver, then head up Vancouver Island to the Tofino area. However, the more I read, the more enticing the San Juan Islands and Ancortes and some other areas sound! We have only limited time and financial resources to spend in this area, as we plan to head to the rockies either before or after. We can't decide! <BR>Where would you visit?

Hi Maggie,<BR>I live about 10 miles outside of Seattle and am here largely because of the natural beauty. Everything you mentioned is beautiful, but the San Juans may cost more because you have to take ferries to get there and that can add up. Personally, I love the Mt. Rainer area as well as the Stevens Pass area and both are easily found by car, as would be Olympic National Park. You might try checking out guidebooks at a bookstore for more information. Also, if nature is your first priority, you might not want to go to both Seattle and Vancouver--both cities are beautiful, but they are cities (though Seattle has the most parks or any city in the U.S.) Have a great time.

Hi Paula,<BR>Thanks for the information. Yes, I believe that you're right - the first thing that we'd forgo is one of the cities - which one depends on where we end up flying into. But it might be nice to balance our mostly nature-based trip with a bit of culture!<BR>Seattle to Port Angeles area to Victoria to Tofino seemed logical to me until I began hearing about the incredible delays at the Port Angeles and Victoria ferries!<BR>I guess you're right - coming from the states especially, visiting Vancouver Island {still a ferry ride, most likely} as opposed to the San Juans will probably be easier on our wallets! <BR>Our thought was to see something of the Washington-Western Canadian coastline, before heading to the Rockies, but Mt. Rainer sounds spectacular as well!<BR>actually, I think reading too many guidebooks and the like is at the root of my indecision!

All of the places you mention are worth seeing. But if I had limited time I would try to spend as much of it as possible outside and not riding in a car. I've been to all of the places you mention and those that are most outstanding and unique are Mount Rainier and the rain forest of Olympic National Park. I would recommend several day hikes in Mt. Rainier. Don't know what guide books you have, but there are trail guides published by the Mountaineers which are very good. Detailed descriptions of trails with pictures. (By the way, there are several extremely interesting day hikes of less than 3 miles round trip on the north side of Mt. St. Helens. If you stay in, for example, Packwood, you can do Mt. Rainier hikes and Mt. St. Helens hikes on successive days.) As beautiful as the Rockies are, there is nothing quite like the newer volcanic peaks of Mt. Rainier and Mt. St. H. Likewise, the rain forest - I suggest the hikes upstream from Lake Quinault or the Hoh River- is unlike anything else you will see elsewher. I would choose that over the San Juans. You will, I think, feel much "close to nature" there.

"coming from the states especially, visiting Vancouver Island {still a ferry ride, most likely} as opposed to the San Juans will probably be easier on our wallets!" Why is that? And how will you get to Vancouver island except by ferry when you say most likely? Are you going to fly in a small plane? Why are ferries to Canada cheaper than ferries here in the USA? Is that because you are paying in Canadian dollars and they are worth less? Will they take Canadian dollars here in the USA for ferries so it's cheaper for Canadians to travel? <BR>

Thanks, x and Luke.<BR>I believe that we will try to see Mt. Rainier since both x and Paula, and others, so highly recommend it. The reason we didn't think about including it before is that we thought it might be similar to the Rockies - but it sounds from your description like a nice contrast. Thanks so much for the input! <BR>I guess we'll skip the San Juans - still not sure about Tofino.<BR>Luke, the Canadian dollar does stretch farther, and we would probably take a ferry originating from Canada given the uncertainty of catching a timely ferry from the US. There appears to be several options to access Vancouver island including the ferry, float plane, or a long drive - that is what I meant by "most likely".