Juan de Fuca Strait, BC – Driving through Washington this morning, the Earth yawned – its cavernous maw threatening to swallow us in an unexpected instant. Its breath hung in the canyon that opened below us, the glistening Columbia River flowing down its throat.The air was crisp and fresh, and I stood in awe – mouth similarly agape. The world is so often capable of infinite beauty.
Continuing through the state, white-capped incisors bit the sky, the napes of hills blanketed in fall trees that resembled rust-tinted, upturned paint brushes. Weaving through the range’s curves, we encountered our first rain of the trip. Welcome to western Washington.
Arriving at Pike Place Market in the state’s capital, however, the bland palette of Montana was comp- ensated for with near- sensory overload from the bright colours of fresh vegetables and dried chillies, the pungent smell of herbs, confections and fish. Artisans created beauty from copper and leather, while neon signs winked as we passed.A great lunch included fish tacos and Dungeness crab cakes. We climbed some of the country’s steepest streets, visited the first Starbucks and briefly saw the Space Needle.
Despite the persistent rain, everything seemed so fresh, so alive. However briefly, I rekindled my love affair with Seattle.
