I was assigned in WA state in my first assignment in the Air Force at Fairchild AFB near Spokane back in 1976-1980. Loved the Inland Empire. I entertained ideas of retiring there before the Great Malevolent Infestation from CA in the 1980s irreparably damaged that beautiful state.
I still have find memories of my time there, though.. great times!
find=fond
Stopped at Fairchild years ago when my dad was in the AF and we drove to Seattle from Denver to visit relatives (going through Montana to pick up grandparents).
I prefer the western part of the state for beauty, but hate all the libs that have moved here from CA and even the east coast. As you said, started about early 80s. That and what has appeared to be voting fraud in one or more elections in King County. The Seattle mayor is a total joke, so is the socialist on the city council.