I live in rural Hawaii, very rural Hawaii. virtually no light pollution. The milky way does NOT look like that.
You are south if Oregon. I grew up in Colorado and yeah it does
Having lived in suburbia my entire life we once,while on vacation,drove down from Tampa to Key West...a long drive. We got tired half way down the Keys and decided to stop for the night. It was cool,crisp and clear January night and while just relaxing outside I looked up and for the first time in my life I saw about 100 billion stars twinkling brightly. I was astounded. I can still remember it...35 years later.
It does, you just need a camera with time exposure. And maybe color filters.
I stay in Maui for long time - 22 years and you are correct it does not look like that at in most places - ‘cept top of Haleakala and Mauna Loa & Mauna Kea.
Come to the Rockies or the high Uinta’s in Utah and yes it does look like that.
Just 2 days age I let the dog out at 2:15am and did not even have to wait for the eyes to adjust - it looked like that.