I read Twilight. Just thought I'd get that out there. Naturally, the imagery of sparkly sullen Cullen running through the forest of Forks was my initial image of the Pacific Northwest. What I didn't realize was that it really did rain that much. Washington gave us rainy days for all the days we were there. The sun did manage to come out though--as we were leaving. As a child of Southern California, I, naturally, melted in the rain.
Luckily for us though, Portland and Vancouver gave us crisp Winter days. Perfect for biking in Stanley Park and eating donuts.
We did lots of that or at least the donut eating part in Portland. Blue Star versus Voodoo Doughnuts arguments aside, my favorite part of Portland was Powell's City of Books. Definitely a must, even for the nonbelievers in the power of tourist destinations.
The problem with Seattle's famed Space Needle is that you can't...see the Space Needle from it. Which is why I would say, save the money, and visit Kerry Park which from what I've read and been consulted is a much better and cheaper view of the city.
Regardless, my favorite part of Washington was probably driving about two hours out of Seattle into Shelton to visit the famed #thatpnwbridge. It's not a difficult hike by any means, but the pouring rain might have exacerbated the situation just a smidge. The view from below the bridge though....if hiking there took years off my life, that view added tenfold back to it.
