About 20 miles south of Olympia near the town of Littlerock is the Mima Mounds Natural Area Preserve (pronounced Mima like dime-a). The Preserve was established in 1976 to protect the 637 acres of rare mima mound landforms, Puget prairie grasslands, and forest and oak woodlands..

The Grays Harbor County Courthouse is rich with history and beauty. The detail and decorative touches throughout the building retain its historical feeling. It is worth a stop on the way to the beaches or as its own destination.

The International Mermaid Museum is dedicated to “teaching ocean ecology from seashore to the sea floor immersed in mermaid mythology uniting world oceanic cultures”.

The Down Under is five floors of eccentric and unique stores and businesses, with the north end of the third floor opening up to Western Avenue where even more shops are located.

This post highlights some of the many locations in Seattle and Bainbridge Island that focus on the history of the Japanese American incarceration during World War II. They provide incredible images of the experiences of these people and remind us of the impact the incarceration had on them at that time.

Part of the Japanese Gardens at Bloedel Reserve are the Sand and Stone Garden and the Japanese Guest House, two of the many different areas throughout the 150 acres.

The Chinese New Year, also known as Spring Festival, starts on the first new moon that occurs at the end of January and is celebrated for 15 days, including the four days of the Lantern Festival, when the full moon arrives. This year , 2022, it was celebrated from February 1 – 15.

The Chihuly Garden and Glass, located in the Seattle Center, provides a look at the inspiration and influence that inform Dale Chihuly’s career.

The Volunteer Park Conservatory has been gracing the park since 1912. With four separate rooms - bromeliad, cactus, fern and seasonal - visitors can see a hundreds of different plants on display..

Port Townsend has a wonderful history, most obviously reflected in its architecture. Not just of its homes, but the commercial and industrial buildings as well.

The Union Bay Natural Area, part of the Center for Urban Horticulture is a 74-acre public wildlife area and natural restoration laboratory. It is located on the shores of Lake Washington with 4 miles of shoreline and is one of the best locations in the area for birding.

Maryhill, one of the gems of this area, is an unincorporated community, named after a regional icon, Sam Hill, and his wife and daughter both Mary. Within the community we explored the Maryhill Art Museum and its sculpture garden, a replica of Stonehenge, the Lewis and Clark native garden, and of course the Maryhill Winery.