Yep! born and raised here. DH lived and worked in Seattle for several years before met. Still has fond memories of the state. Driven thru Washington several times and on into Canada. Oh! your waterfalls. That was such a journey from south to north. Had no clue the Pacific was so COLD, even in summer :-)
It really is a beautiful state! Waterfalls, lots of trees, mountains, many lakes (even in the Seattle area), and tons of flowers. I grew up in Denver and we’d see a couple of tulips and go - Oh, it’s Spring, look at the flowers. I couldn’t get over my 1st Spring here and still and in awe after many years - Hibiscus will start blooming soon then daffodils, iris, azalea, Andromeda, tulip trees, cherry and apple blossoms, Rhododendrons, and on and on. And, summer is gorgeous with lots more flowers and the non-evergreen trees fill out. LOL - I sound like a member of the Visitor Center.
Yes, the Pacific water is very cold - even in the summer. We have been going to the International Kite Festival in Long Beach, WA every year in August for a number of years. LB is about as far south as you can go and still be in WA State - I think the water is too cold but my nephew and our friends kids never seem to mind - they have a blast.
I just wish our politics were more aligned with those in Texas. The eastern part of the state is fairly conservative as are some of the Seattle suburbs, but the I-5 corridor (coming up from CA) - Olympia, Tacoma, Seattle, Everett is very liberal (but then we’ve had a lot of people move in from CA and a few other lib areas over the years - bah!)