A lot has changed here in the Northwest in the last decade too. With climate change our glaciers are receding and disappearing, wildfire season is longer and more intense, our local orcas are seriously at risk of extinction, and the population has mushroomed.
But it's not all doom and gloom.
Generally I've focused on inspiring others to get out and enjoy the beauty all around us here, through outdoors activities such as hikes and road trips. (With a goal of inspiring everyone to do their part to help protect the environment.)
I also sneak in random posts about whatever interests me (for example, my favorite local hummus), environmental issues that concern me (like Olympic Peninsula salmon habitat restoration), and volcano spotting while flying over the region.
In the last 10 years, social media has happened in a big way. All those enticing shots on Instagram have drawn more and more people to our no-longer-secret places. It's often crowded on formerly quiet but now super popular trails and getaway destinations.
I've blogged about these changes over the last few years. (Another link here on this topic.) I still struggle with the explosive growth and traffic on our trails. I don't name or blog about all the hikes and places I go anymore.
For Pacific NW Seasons' 5th anniversary, I wrote a more inspired post about developing a sense of place where one lives. Today I'm more jaded and weary with the changes here, such as low-rise, charming small businesses and homes being displaced by big, boxy multi-story developments.
But it is what it is, and change is a constant. Really, I'm grateful to be here to witness the passing years in a region deep in my bones, where some of my ancestors arrived 150 years ago and settled in what was then a relatively untamed place.
If you've visited before, you probably know that I rarely feature face shots or photos of myself. But in honor of 10 years here, I'll give up some shots through the years. Here I am when I first started blogging:
Just kidding. :) That's 4- or 5-year-old me somewhere in the Oregon Cascades.
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| 2010, Joseph, Oregon |
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| 2013, Mt. Pilchuck, Washington |
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| 2015, Broken Group, Vancouver Island, BC |
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| 2015, Shilshole Bay, Seattle |
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| 2017, Third Burroughs, Mt. Rainier National Park |
And from early 2018, a few sweet turns at Crystal Mountain (below).
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| 2007, Bhutan |
I'd love to hear your thoughts and/or reflections in a comment below about our changing region, how that has affected you and how you get out, what you enjoy or would like to see more of here at Pacific NW Seasons, or anything else.
Happy trails and thanks for visiting Pacific Northwest Seasons!
In between blog posts, visit Pacific NW Seasons on FaceBook, Twitter, and Instagram for more Northwest photos and outdoors news.
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7 comments:
Your blog has inspired many people and enriched lives. Love that little photo of you when you were my BBCF. Maybe someday do one about the area around Husky Stadium, the Cut, Arboretum, etc etc as there are a lot of easier trails around there for people like me. And I think improvements are ongoing now that the bridge construction is finished.
Happy 10th Blogiversary!
Your photos are so great too!
I suppose it is the Wa Growth Management Act that has led to the dense and tall, boxy, buildings because most development has to go inside the urban areas (which often do not have enough ground space for low dwellings) to prevent sprawl - which has worked pretty well I think.
Maybe REI has had something to do with the bigger crowds out enjoying the trails and hills too!
Thanks for your comments!
Mary, keep on running!
Rabbit's Guy...ah the density, yea in urban villages. A source of conflict in Seattle. Just sad to see what we're losing in terms of charm, long-term small family businesses, and quality of life. Thanks for the feedback on the photos! I tried to step in up several years ago with better cameras.
Anneskers, good idea to focus on some urban walks. Knew you would appreciate the first photo of me. :)
Suezy! Appreciate your thoughtful comments and glad I can bring you a regular slice of the PNW. Hugs to Alabama from Seattle!
Hello there Jill,
Well I finally got to the states this July and loved the tiny tiny tiny little bit I did see. We visited Yosemite National Park and I was so very appreciative of bloggers like yourself who give the heads up on the crowds.....you're not joking! As such we arrived super super early, parked easily, checked out the key sights (for the kids that was a small bear and coyote), enjoyed our own pre packed lunch and then got out of there because soooooooo many people then turned up it was no longer enjoyable. Great to see that Americans love their national parks (Australians tend to be a bit ho hum) but one needs to be prepared so thanks for all your tips. You ought to plan a trip to Australia for some hiking, no crowds here :)
Sylvia
Sylvia! Nice to hear from you! Gosh, sorry about the Yosemite crowds. I lived and worked at Yosemite off and on from 2000 - 2004. The best time was off season and cooler/cold weather. And the Valley Loop trail along the western end of the Valley, much less used. Anyway, there are still lots of uncrowded places here in the Pacific Northwest, but you have to know where/when to go. (I'm happy to share tips privately). And Australia, ah. On my list. Made it to New Zealand in the 1990s. Take good care and cheers!
Jill- love you travels and I am always delighted by your writing. Safe travels, mary lou
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