Traveling to Washington State, recommend photo locations
bham
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I will be visiting Washington in August from the 1st to the 12th. I am looking for some locations to visit and shoot. I have a few ideas but I want to put together a itenarary. All suggestions will be helpful, especially for interesting events etc happening during that time period. I plan on going to Seattle, the San Juan Island, maybe Grey Harbor, Columbia River Gorge, and the Tri-Ciites.
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
"A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
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Definitely check out the area around Snoqualmie Falls if you can make it out there- it's about and hour outside of Seattle if I remember correctly.
Also the Ho Rainforest is stunning if you're into that sorta thing. It's a bit of a drive to the area north of Port Angeles, but it's well worth it.
Have a great time!
Great suggestions. I know we will be traveling through Snoqualmie pass and I will make sure we stop and sightsee at the falls.
I haven't heard of the rainforest before, another great suggestion.
Heading out to the Tri-Cities area, stop at the Stone Henge in the evening for some great light!
[url]http://www.photographybytoni.blogspot.com:barb[/url]
I googled it. Looks like a great place to go. I have found so many things and places that the 12 days probably won't be enough to see half of what I want. Oh well, just a great excuse to visit again soon. My family will like that.
Not a photo destination. But....
In Yakima, on your way to the Tri Cities, stop at Miner Burger. You won't regret the detour, although I advise that you come hungry.
Also, I just came back from the Tri Cities over the weekend, it was 107. Be prepared for warm.
Mike .
http://www.fourangelsphotography.com/
Well I am not to used to 107 dry heat, but I am used to 95 with high humidity. You sweat in the shade and at night. Thanks for the warning though.
Great eating recommendations are definitely welcome as well. Especially non-chain places. I love the unique atmosphere that only a locally owned place gives you.
Locally owned and operated for at least the last 30 years.
Mike.
http://www.fourangelsphotography.com/
Just talked with my mom, who just finished the move from Louisiana. She said the temperature is a nice relief, actually feels cooler than home (Louisiana).
Check out this site for even more ideas http://www.experiencewa.com/
initialphotography.smugmug.com
"The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera" - Dorothea Lange
Tri-Cities - Not an attractive town and the only thing worth shooting is the cable bridge going from Kennewick to Pasco. It is on the east side of the town. The only time to shoot this is a dusk when the light of the bridge are on, just when the sky is steely blue. Use a tripod.
Thanks Diff.
Tri-cities is in eastern WA which is on the dry side of the Cascades Eastern WA is as culturally different from Western WA as it is geographically.Tri-Cities is very dry desert and there is not as much to see right there. Within 120 miles, however, you have incredible desert land masses and dry gulches that were reminents of flooding after the ice-age about 10,000 years ago. I suggest you consult the series of regional WA hiking books put out by Sasquatch Books and the Mountaineers; both are sold by Amazon
The Stonehenge around Goldendale is neat and strange. Also visit the Maryhill Museum near there The building is amazing out in the middle of nowhere. They also have a great Rodin collection. Goldendale is one of the best astronomy sites in the US and there is a wonderful state park there with a large telescope that is open late on certain evenings for public viewing.
Eastern WA also has some of the best wineries in the US. Hundreds of 'em, the best are in Walla Walla south east of the Tri-Cities by an hour.
As you head west on I-90 stop off in Ellensburg, a pretty hip cowboy college town The downtown has a great collection of Victorian buildings. There is also the Clymer art museum that features excellent cowboy art--a genre I don't usually appreciate, but this stuff is very good. Also in Ellensburg check out Dick and Jane's Spot which is a private house totally covered on the exterior with quirky folk art. Finally the ultimate reason to stop in Ellensburg is Winegar's, possibly the best ice cream in Washington (at least). They use special old whipping blades to create amazing milkshakes with the best texture; local cows create the cream. Since it will be 100 degrees outside, you'll appreciate this stop.
Western WA is overload. If you go to the San Juan Islands, realize that the ferry often takes a day, both in waiting time (this is prime tourist season) and in transit. Lopez and Orcas are the most scenic islands. They are all great.
Greys Harbor is not worth seeing but the Olympic Peninsula is but to do it right is a 3 day endeavor.You will travel on 101 North to Port Angeles. While the national park at Hurricane Ridge is wonderful, it is very crowded. I would recommend you head a little east of Port Angeles near Sequim (pronounced squim) and head south to Deer Park, also part of the National Park. The view south within the mountain interior is better as is the view to the north into Canada. Just incredible actually.
Before you get to Port Angeles make a detour to Port Townsend, a very lovely small town with beautiful Victorian homes and commercial buildings. Lots of tourists, though, but the parks around there are very photogenic. I got married up there a hundred years ago or so.
West from Port Angeles is Neah Bay and the above mentioned Cape Flattery. A truly powerful place, you should see sea lions and seals hanging out, maybe some whales lurking about. But it takes a long time to get there. On the way, also check out Lake Crescent the trails leading to cool waterfalls.
South on 101 on the west side of the Peninsula is the ocean and photographically primo beaches. La Push has 2nd beach which is a must stop. Further south you will get to Lake Quinault. Near there is the Hoh rain forest that has mysterious Spanish moss draping everywhere. And if you follow that all the way you will end up on the trail to Mt. Olympus.
Seattle is lots of fun, Pike Place Market is a jewel, but also check out the new Olympic Art Park. I'd also recommend a day in Tacoma, especially at the Museum of Glass. It's a Mecca for lovers of glass art and the experience of the Hot Shop where visiting artists "perform" in an amazing site is memorable. Very nice architecture all around the museum district too.
The Columbia Gorge is worth 2 days, as the waterfalls are special and the adjoining hikes magical. Astoria Oregon is a sweet and pretty place too.
Hope this helps, there is just too much and it's all good.
M
Now anybody have any other food suggestions. I will be creating a tentative itinerary soon, and all the info provided so far has been helpful. Also I definitely want to eat at those unique but great food places that usually only the locals know about, so adding to this thread with some food recommendations would be awesome.
Friday Aug. 1st
Arrive in Seattle around midnight at SeaTac
Saturday Aug 2nd
Spend the day around Seattle, Olympia, maybe Whidbey Island, etc
7:40pm around Snoqualmie ??
Sunday Aug 3rd
Travel to the Tri-Cities with stops at Snoqualmie Falls, Roslyn, Easton
Either 5:50am or 7:40pm around Snoqualmie ??
Monday Aug 4th
Travel from TriCities to Olympic National Park
Tuesday Aug 5th
Olympic National Park
Wednesday Aug 6th
Olympic National Park
Thursday Aug 7th
Columbia River Gorge
Friday Aug 8th
Tri-Cities area
Saturday Aug 9th
Goldendale, Maryhill, Stonehenge or on the boat on the river
Sunday Aug 10th
Goldendale, Maryhill, Stonehenge or on the boat on the river
Monday Aug 11th
??
Tuesday Aug 12th
Leave 12:55pm from SeaTac
Just my 2 cents.
If you get some time when you are up north of Seattle (Edmonds/Lynnwood), PM me and maybe we can meet and I can show you some sights around there, if you have the time and are interested.
Mike.
http://www.fourangelsphotography.com/
If you need to check out Olympia (the capitol is interesting), stop off at Nisqually Delta wildlife reserve off I-5 just south of Tacoma, bring your camera, and hike for a mile or two. Great birds.
I must admit, I'm a bit perplexed at heading out towards the Tri-Cities area at two different times in your trip. If I were you, I think I would just plan one large loop, rather than traversing across Washington twice. Is there a reason you're not doing the Gorge/Goldendale/Maryhill/Stonehenge immediately after the Tri-Cities and then finishing up in Olympic National Park? There seems to be a lot of unecessary mileage in the current plan, but maybe I'm missing something.
It sounds like you're planning to see a lot of terrific locations! I hope the weather is as stellar as it has been all summer and that you get many great photos!
EDIT:
I apologize if you've already stated your reasoning for your itinerary, but I thought I'd throw out this basic suggestion:
Start with Seattle and maybe Whidbey
Snoqualmie
Tri-Cities
Gorge/Goldendale/Maryhill/Stonehenge/Gorge
Olympic NP
Olympia
Comments and constructive critique always welcome!
Elaine Heasley Photography
I'm afraid that I have to chime in here too and say that Whidbey is a day all in itself. I've lived there for about ten years in the past. There is a lot to see, but, like most places, it's all off the main road (except for Deception Pass Bridge).
I now live pretty close to Snoqualmie Falls and to be honest, the best photo ops, aren't necessarily at the tourist stop, but still close by if you know where to go. Here's some IR shots I took there a couple of weeks ago: http://www.karenanda.com/gallery/2848304_72i3S#335772883_DVzxw
I also noticed that it looks like you may be planning to stay overnight near Snoqualmie? Not too sure where there is to stop except for some very run down motel, or at the Salish Lodge overlooking the falls which is pretty $$ unless I am completely forgetting something - I would just check that one out beforehand
I have had many days of frustration where I try to fit WAY too much in and end up with nothing (including nothing in the gas tank). I have learned to visit far fewer places and really spend quality time at those places. For example, on that first Saturday, you could easily spend the entire day in Seattle at Pike Place Market, downtown (space Needle, monorail, and EMP, etc.) and the Waterfront (ferries, etc.). I have driven through Olympia many times, but never found the time yet to stop and find anywhere to photograph
I agree with the other places you have listed as it sounds like you may have allowed more time for them and they are gorgeous!
I hope this have been somewhat helpful. Please feel free to ask me for clarification on anything if you'd like.
Good suggestion to hit Olympia on the way to ONP on Monday. Really I have some favorite shots from like 1996 on BW film that I want to redo digitally. I am sure we also will want to go to Lacey and see the house I lived in as a kid.
Yeah after looking for places to stay near Snoqualmie I quickly found that we will be staying in Seattle and I will just have to drive over to the falls for some late evening light. Does anybody have a good suggestion on what time some falls shots would be good. I was thinking 6pm or after. I have some ND filters as well.
Yeah I think I am going to have to skip Whidbey and the SJ Islands this time around. Every other trip back we have always managed to spend a day up that way. Maybe I can head up near there on the 11th to see some friends who live in Anacortes(sp?). And spend the night before heading to the airport on Tuesday.
Yeah on the Saturday or Sunday depending on my uncles day off, we will be heading to the area near Goldendale. He lived there for 20+ years and knows it well. The other day we will be going out on my stepfathers boat on the Columbia in the Tri-Cities area.
If you checked out my photos, the last ones were taken around 8:30pm and I was losing light, and of course when you get here the sun will be setting even earlier, but 6pm should give you some time as long as you have your sites all staked out and aren't wanting to hike up and down the trail looking for the best vantage point.
Do you have a link to any photos of the actual falls.
I agree that it is hard to tell - sorry about that. I haven't taken any of the falls yet because I want to do something different as I don't want mine to look like the thousands of other shots out there and the shot I have in mind requires a lot of set up which I haven't manged just yet. There are basically two views that you can get: 1) From the top looking down. This is limited by the number of vantage points at the top, the most popular being from the undercover of the pagoda. 2) From the bottom looking up. You can either hike down a trail or drive down and park, but either way you will have to clamber over a fence and down onto the rocks to get any shots. If you are going to choose #2, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get into position and you may lose your light behind the trees early...
You can just google images of Snoqualmie falls and get a feel of the two different angles.
Hope that helps...
I would have to say 6pm to give yourself enough time to find where you want to go and to get there and get set up. The quality of light at 6pm is pleasant enough to start shooting anyway. Hope that helps.
Any more food suggestions anyone. Especially around the ONP area.
The 3 Crabs in Dungeness by the outstanding Dungeness Spit (worth hiking on) is a much loved seafood restaurant. It's not great, but there is not great eating on the Peninsula.
http://www.the3crabs.com/
On your way to Olympia, the best eating is Korean in south Tacoma. Or North Seattle/Lynnwood on Hwy 99. Look up the locations of the Hosoonyi restaurants. Outstanding Korean, just go with an empty stomach as it is tough to stop from over-stuffing oneself. Order the seafood pancake with some unrefined rice wine (not quite saki). You may have to wait on a line in the evening, but lunch too is great. Soft tofu soups are amazing too.
M
Plan to start near Sequim and end near Amanda Park over a couple days. So please recommend anything good on the 101 between.