There is not a day that goes by since relocating to the Pacific Northwest that I don't have at least one moment that I think to myself...."How beautiful!" I am so in love with...and appreciative of...the beauty of nature around me.
Most of my readers know that my husband, son and I relocated to the Seattle area from Florida just a few years ago. I grew up in a small town near the beach. One of the things I enjoyed doing in Florida was taking leisure drives along the Indian River, joining my Dad and family for a boat ride or fishing along the St. John's River. These are all great memories for me. Because I love the water, I believe that the transition for me to the Northwest was easier because of the fact that I still see so much water. I have completely fallen in love with our area....
Sometimes, on the weekends, my husband and I will hop into his car and go for a long drive together. I love to take my camera with me on these jaunts because you just never know what you are going to see.
There are times when we head over to Gig Harbor or Port Townsend located about a 45 minute or so ride away from where we live on Kitsap Penninsula. We have our favorite restaurants wherever we go. When we visit Port Townsend, we have lunch at a place I have featured on another posting called "Sirens." After a nice lunch, we love to browse through the shops before heading home. There are times, though, that we go for drives that are right in our own backyard, so to speak.
Where we live, you do not have to go very far to find a pretty spot.
The photos you have been viewing were taken in a little area called Seabeck, Washington. The mountains you see are the Olympic Mountains. Before relocating to Poulsbo, my husband and I lived a five minute drive from this location in Silverdale. When we lived near Seabeck, my husband and I would sometimes bring a little lunch over to eat while we gazed out at the water and mountains. I will never forget when I first visited our area and my husband took me to this spot. The mountains seemed to almost come right out of the water. I thought it was one of the prettiest views. I still do...
I have photographed this view many times. Each photo is different depending on the time of year, weather and lighting.
The mountains, of course, look the prettiest on a very sunny and clear day. These photos were made recently, in January, late in the afternoon near dusk. As you can see, there is a lot of snow on the mountains at this time even though it has been a very mild winter for us this year. As of the time of this posting, we have not had a snowfall yet. Of course, it may be coming in the next couple of months. We shall see... The landscape here is quite a change for me from Florida. Perhaps, that is why I have enjoyed living in the Northwest. I love the green of the tall, tall fir trees. They look like giant Christmas trees just waiting to be decorated...
I also love seeing the mountains in our area...the Olympics which we can see the tops of from our balcony at home in Poulsbo...or Mt. Ranier with the beautiful pink hue it gets at times. The mountains look so majestic to me...
My husband snapped this upcoming photo of me standing next to the water. There is a road next to the waterfront where I am standing with a long section where you can park to make photos and admire the view. No matter when you pass by, there is always at least one or two cars parked on this stretch of highway admiring the view. When the salmon are spawning, there are sooooo many eagles in this area. My husband, Mark, and I have spotted many eagles standing in the spot I am photographing from over the past seven years. There are always people stopping here to photograph the eagles. Here I am by the waterfront...
Here is a photo of my husband, Mark, that I made on the day of this drive. Lucky me.....handsome subject and beautiful background all at once...
The next photo was made just a minute down the road from the previous spot.....same view.....different place along the water. You can see the beginnings of a new marina being put in when you look at the next photo. My husband was saying that it would be great to sail our sailboat, "Skye" to this marina when it is finished and relax on our boat while taking in the view for the afternoon. Hope this marina is ready by summer! :)
After taking in the view here, we hopped back in the car and started to make our way back home. On the way, we noticed how pretty Mt. Ranier looked......"pretty in pink." We stopped at a view spot, and I made a few photos of the mountain...
Mt. Ranier is actually a volcano. It has a summit elevation of 14,411 feet. Mt. Ranier is located 54 miles Southeast of Seattle. It is, along with the Seattle Space Needle, a famous landmark in our area. Whenever I see the pink or light purple-ish color cast on the mountain, I immediately think of Jimi Hendrix..... "Purple Haze" comes into my mind. Jimi Hendrix, as you probably know, was from the Seattle area. He is actually buried in the city of Redmond, Washington. I would like to go visit his grave there sometime. Going to school in the 60's and early 70's, I grew up with his music like so many my age.
We had just a little time left before dark, so we stopped by Dye's Inlet in Silverdale. You could see a little of Mt. Ranier, too, from the waterfront here....
As the sun was setting at Dye's Inlet, the water was lapping on the shore. Immediately, I thought of the waves at the beach where I grew up. I love the gentle sound of waves. There is something so soothing about the sound of water. I love any sound of water which is why I love fountains so much. I have a fountain at the front of my home and also one inside on the wall of my stairway. I love the relaxing sound they make.
I love the beautiful pink skies we get in this area. I have made so many beautiful sunset photos since moving to the Northwest.
After making these photos, my husband and I returned to our car to head back home. Such a nice drive on this day. I love the beauty of nature.....flowers, sky, water, mountains, trees.... I think the older I get, the more I love and thank God for this gift He has given us. I want to travel to different places in the future....inside and outside our great United States....and see other wonderful and scenic places. There is so much to see out there in the world......sometimes, there is beauty just around the corner from where you live. Take time out to look for it each day. Hope you have enjoyed the photos and coming along with me on our afternoon drive.
Have a beautiful day! xoxo Kim
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This posting is dedicated to my Dad, James Thompson, who loved the water so much and to Mt. Ranier Park Ranger, Margaret Anderson, who lost her life on January 1, 2012, protecting others and the mountain she loved. Our hearts go out to her family.
(((Kim))) Thanks again for a wonderful scenic tour of your area! Love the song "It's a beautiful morning" by the Rascals. Wonderful music to listen to while on your drive! Yes, your husband Mark is very handsome and you too must be a great sight on that dance floor! Did you get my e-mail? I was so excited to get the card from you in the mail!
I'm so happy for you and Mark that your dream of living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest has come true! Thanks so much for sharing your drives with us! Wow that marina will be a great spot to stop while sailing on Skye. Looking forward to some beautiful sunset pictures and maybe you'll get a shot of an eagle up close snatching a fish from the water!
Yes, I remember Listening to Jimi Hendrix and the Band of Gypsies! He has an interesting story. He was way before his time and fantastic on the guitar!
Love that you dedicated this posting to your dad and Margaret Anderson.
You are an absolute SWEETHEART!!
xxoo ~Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 06:50 PM
Hi Sandy,
Thank you for your nice note. So glad you enjoyed the "drive" with us. I did receive your email. Thank you soooo much! I am definitely planning on capturing some eagles this year with my newer camera. Maybe I will even have a more powerful zoom lens by then. :) You are becoming a great photographer, Sandy. I see some wonderful photos on your own blog. Have a "bluebird" day, dear friend. xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Hi Kim,
I'm hoping for a nice zoom lens this summer (have my fingers crossed). I want to be able to get closer to the wildlife. Did you get another camera? I'm very fond of mine and plan to use the video more. Hopefully, it won't take forever to load something on the blog. Love your blog cards. You told me this summer where you got them but I forgot.
Hugs,
~Sandy
Posted by: Sandy | Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 05:22 PM
Hi Sandy,
Thanks for stopping by. I am glad you like my cards I enclosed. I had the cards made through Blog Guidebook. They did a very nice job for me. As far as the camera, I am still using my same one that I bought a few months ago. I am very happy with it, but, you are right. I feel I need a third lens for capturing wildlife up close from a distance. I am looking forward to seeing some of your posted videos. Have a wonderful day, my friend! xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 12:56 AM
I have never been there but would like to see all of that. It is truly beautiful! This earth that was created for us brings such JOY! Thanks for sharing the beauty there. :D
Posted by: Julie Harward | Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 05:53 AM
These pictures have gorgeous scenery, Kim. My family really liked the Seattle area when they visited last year. They actually saw the house that Jimi Hendrix grew up in and thought it was so cool. They also admired all the green nature that surrounds Seattle. It sounds like you are very happy living there. You look so cute in your black fur coat. Tell your husband he is becoming quite the Photographer. hehe
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Posted by: Red Rose Alley | Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 09:38 PM
Thank you Julie and Sheri for the nice comments. The Pacific Northwest truly is a beautiful area. I am so glad you enjoyed the photos. Sheri, I will definitely pass the photographer compliment along to my husband, Mark. Hope you both have a wonderful day! xoxo Kim
Posted by: Bluebirds and Butterflies | Friday, January 13, 2012 at 07:30 AM
Beautiful pics!!! That's one of my favorite views, too. I'll have to take a river sunrise pic for you when I walk the bridge in the morning.
XOXO Ashley
Posted by: Ground Support | Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at 04:12 PM
I loved your pictures and what you wrote about your life there. I am in Colorado, also a beautiful state, but I am looking at the Northwest (Seabeck in particular) as a place to settle. I am coming soon to look at houses and figure out how to make the transition. After reading your posts, it makes me want to be there even more. Thanks again. Pam
Posted by: Pam Alexander | Tuesday, July 10, 2012 at 06:31 PM