Many of you know that I grew up in Washington State – home of Starbucks, Microsoft and Boeing.  It’s where I was born and raised – an original Washitonian.  Growing up there was cool, not just because the skyline is unique with the Space Needle a familiar landmark:

But the other ‘cool factor’ is that the mountains are easily driven to for some amazing hiking in the warmer months, and even better skiing in the winter months.  By the same token, the beaches and the ocean are a comparable drive in the opposite direction.  We’d often flip a coin deciding which of the two would be a weekend getaway, or a week-long camping excursion.

A group of us would on a whim drive up to Vancouver, Canada – just because we could, and because the shopping there was great.  It probably didn’t have anything to do with the legal drinking age being 19 at the time.  And the boys seemed cuter.

Some friends and I spent a long weekend traveling around the North Cascade Loop and camping under the stars, just to see scenery like this:

There’s a wonderful Bavarian town in the mountains that was a favorite visit at least once a year, Leavenworth:

I have quite the collection of cuckoo clocks from many visits there.  And lots of great memories.

There’s so much to do in downtown Seattle – the theaters, the waterfront – then of course there’s Pioneer Square, Myrtle Edwards Park, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Aquarium, Seattle Waterfall Garden, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and the list goes on.  No trip to downtown would be complete without a stop at the Pike Place Market:

Over the years my former career and subsequent life milestones led me away from my hometown – I’ve lived in Oregon, Michigan, New York and currently Pennsylvania – anxious to get back to family and friends – and home – in Washington State by next summer.  That’s the current plan at this point.  Then I can spend more time with the people that matter, like family:

Especially my goofy brother who I used to be super close to, but living 3000 miles away for 15 years sort of changed that dynamic, but hopefully will revert back to ‘normal’ once I’m back where I belong:

Having a chance to see this sort of view on a regular basis wouldn’t hurt, either:

I can’t wait to get home.

Do you still live where you grew up, or have you moved on to greener pastures?

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This Homesick Spin Cycle was brought to you in part by the lovely Gretchen at Second Blooming, who is homesick for her hometown of Austin, Texas.  Check out the other Spinners and see who’s homesick and who the lucky ones are who are already home.

 

Second Blooming

16 Comments

  1. I’m far from home also. I’m also from Washington state and while I would love to go back to Washington I really can’t see moving back to the Seattle area. It is just too rainy and dreary for my mental health. I do see myself moving to Spokane though. That would be the bomb.

  2. I grew up in South Carolina but have lived in New Mexico, Texas, back to New Mexico, and now Southern California, we always planned to move to SC once I retired but now living in Southern California I see at least the initials are the same Ha Ha

    Loving where you are from is always in your heart but being happy where you are is totally up to us.

    Excellent post.

  3. Wow I can see why you miss your hometown. It’s beautiful. Thanks for sharing with us. I moved away from the area, but I still live in the same state. I grew up in Mayor Daley’s neighborhood called Bridgeport (Chicago-right next to downtown) & then moved next to Midway Airport when I was seven. Once I was of age we’ve moved to numerous suburbs, but where I am now I’m growing roots.
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  4. Washington is SO beautiful! I shot a commercial up there a few years ago. Flew into Seattle, then spent three days driving around the the Cascades. It was GORGEOUS. And really fun. Great people. Great coffee. Great beer. Great Tim’s Chips!

    You are linked!
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  5. I never heard of that Bavarian town in B.C. Such a big country to know all the nooks and crannies.

    I’ve visited far from home but not moved much more than an hour away from my birthplace.

  6. I have always wanted to go to Washington! This past June, I spent 4 hours at the Seattle airport as a layover flying to and from Alaska. We really wanted to get out and see the city, but didn’t quite have the energy or know-how to do it! Your pictures are beautiful.
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  7. Oh what gorgeousness! I really really need to get out there someday. I’m from NC but live in Ohio now & have never been west of the Mississippi (well, there was that one day we drove west out of Peducah, Kentucky & crossed the river & drove around for about an hour).
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  8. I left the island 17yrs ago and I’ve also lived elsewhere. I LOVE being on the island to visit and see things but I wonder sometimes how I’d do if I lived there full time. I wonder if I would have been working the last 14yrs? or If I’d ahve finished uni and have career? you know? but I’m happy here, which is 7hours from there and it as of now the closest we’ve been to living there.
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  9. Beautiful. I’ve moved away from home twice, first less than 200 miles, and the next 1,000 miles. Each time for 6 years….. I’ve come back home both times and currently live just 1.5 miles from the house I grew up in and Tara attends the same high school I did. It’s not as beautiful as Washington State, but home it is none the less!
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  10. I came across your blog while googling images. I too grew up in WA state; Poulsbo to be more specific (across peninsula from Seattle, near Bremerton). I’m now in South Jersey. I completely hear ya about missing home!!

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