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!)
Afraid Texas is not the lone star it was at one time. We’ve our own liberal spots here as well. Fortunately, there are a number of miles between us and them. As of now, to find a true Native Texan is very difficult. We’ve so many who have moved in from other states -north, east and west; not to mention Mexico.
If you should ever be in Oregon and close to Silverton, or Salem, swing by there and see a beautiful garden in bloom. Cooley’s Iris Garden in Silverton and Schreiners Iris Garden in Salem. And if you love flowers of many colors an afternoon tour you would really enjoy. Every year their catalogs would be received and I’d drool over the photos like a child looking at the toys in the Sears Christmas catalog.
Still longing for springtime:-)) and counting the days!!