F 891 .W 33 1915 CIass_T~Mi Bonk -W33 THE BEAUTIES OF THE. TATE of WASHINGTON by HARRY F.GILES-DEPUTYCoMMiSSiOHEJ5^ TATE BUREAU STATISTICS 8t IMMIGRATION iHHOWHJL-SiCRETARr of STgri-E*0FFiao Commissioner. giji— i — uj ii i in ■ i agj e 31SggJg i rjniD i jrij !» ^ < ^J l iilJ *> 4 \ THE RHODODENDRON, WASHINGTON'S STATE FLOWER "Flowers rich as morning's sunrise hue" Copyright by Asahel Curtis m IS" TABLE OF CONTENTS. Paije List of Full Page Illustrations 3 The Evergreen State 5 Our Mountains 9 Washington Forests 15 The Climate 19 Puget Sound 25-38 Ideal for Yachting and Cruising 29 Hood Canal 29 Other Trips 31 Commerce 32 The East Shores 32 The Islands : 33 San Juan Group 33 Whidby Island 36 Other Islands 36 Olympic Peninsula 38 The Harbor Country 40-48 Grays Harbor 43 Willapa Bay 46 Mount Rainier National Park 49 The Columbia River 54 The Inland Empire 63-80 Chief Features 64 How to Reach Them 64 The Yakima Valley 65 The Wenatchee Valley 67 Lake Chelan 68 The Okanogan Highlands 70 The Spokane Country 75 The Wheat Plateau 79 The Walla Walla Country 80 The Columbia River 80 Our Scenic Highways .... = . 81-89 The Pacific Highway 81 Sunset Highway 84 Inland Empire Highway 86 Olympic, National Park, and Other Highways 89 A Sportsman's Paradise 91 Cities and Suggested Trips 95 Alaska — Our Ally 112 Map Showing Principal Highways «• of D. •A* U 1915 FULL PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS. , , Miss Zola P. Gruhlke Cover Design (a water coloO ^ -^ Engraving & Colortype Co., Seattle Engravings *** THREE-COLOR HALFTONES. Photographer. ^ayc Title. Asahel Curtis. . . .Frontispiece The Rhododendron (U) Kiser Phot o Co » Lake Chelan (C.) Curtis & Miller Jj A Forest Stream • Webster & Stevens ** A Puget Sound Sunset . . . • • • • • - y ■ • . g & MiUer 49 Mount Rainier and Mirror Lake lUJ ^^ Curtis 64 Sunnyside Canal (C.) 80 Priest Rapids ...... ■■'•■- q almon ' (C.j .Kiser Photo Co 9b Columbia River from White Salmon «w ONE-COLOR HALFTONES. ..Curtis & Miller 4 Deep Lake . . . . • • • ■ • • .Romans Photo Co J> Snoqualmie Falls (C.) 10 Mount Baker (Gr ) . . . . •■■••• }' c \ .'kiser Photo Co } 2 Looking Across the Cascades (C.) R 14 Principal Trees in Washington 18 Lumber Industry (Gr.) ••••••• ';A\ .Asahel Curtis 21 Sunset Falls and Mount Index (C.) * 23 Yachting on Puget Sound (Gr.) 24 Bremerton Scenes (Gr) Avery & Potter 27 Tacoma and The Mountain. . . . . . . • • Avei * 28 Eastern Shores of Puget Sound (Gr.) .... • ■ — £ '^ ef 30 Seattle and The Olympics ^ A McCo rmick 34 San Juan Islands (Gr.) • • • • 37 Olympic Mountain Scenes (WJ 'cHito & Miller 39 Lake Crescent .....••• • . Asahel Curtis f- The Chehalis River (C.) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ • • 44 Southwest Washington Views (Gr.) ^ s 47 Surf on Washington Coast (C.) . , Ab 51 Mount Rainier National Park (Gr. ) ...^ p - — aM 53 Mount Rainier and Lake Washington ^ J 56 Along the Columbia River (Gr.) 58 Salmon Fishing Industry (Gr.) Asahel Curtis JO Snake River Country Curtis & Miller 62 Rock Lake " ' " Curtis & Miller *b The Yakima Valley. Curtis & Miller £9 The Wenatchee Valley • • • ■ 71 The Okanogan and Methow (Gr.) • ■ ■ • 73 Irrigation Scenes (Gr.) Frank Palmer Ji City of Spokane 7b Wheat Fields (Gr.) ••••••• " 78 Walla Walla Scenes (Gr.) ••••••• 82 Along the Scenic Highways (Gr) - • • • —.- g5 Olympia, Our Capital City (Gr.) palmer g7 Spokane Falls and Bridge. Humes 90 Wild Elk in The Olympics (C.) bc Collier 92 The Angler's Reward 94 S P u?L^ C g EouSuonal •institutions (Gr.) '. '. '. V. '. • ■ ; • • • ■ ; ; ; " Our Earliest Pioneers (Gr.) 105 Seattle's Boulevards (Gr.) 108 Tacoma's Parks (Gr.) •••••••■• HI Alaska, Land of the North (Gr.) Those marked (Gr.) are groups; (C.) means copyright. < p o a Q <4 U m < as no - s*^r ,-& GREEN (SfLfimm tiiul aoicL^ajicLw ( ~nxy~ JNa.tive ljaneL ! > JiJL/i: tJn.ee 1 Jdo ast iLmpiire or tke West, .earest ctncL tke best, irp or ail the rest, love thee most The state of Washington, most northwesterly state in the Union, named for the "Father of His Country" and popularly called the "Evergreen State," brings greetings. For all who would behold, at close range, Nature in her most beautiful expression when all component elements have been harmoniously combined, these words of welcome are written. You are invited to come and share the joy that emanates from the satisfaction of living in a country as nearly perfect as any that earth has to offer. In the creation of this region nothing was overlooked that might appeal to the most fastidious. An empire within itself, it is provided with all things for ministering both to man's physical needs and to his innermost longings. All forces have con- tributed towards its glory. More careful preparation was never made for the coming of man in any clime. Mountains that reach to heaven and echo the music of celestial choirs in their innumerable streams and waterfalls ; valleys and plateaus that spring into life when pricked by the harrow of the husbandman ; forests of big trees, perpetually green, to adorn and protect ; the greatest of oceans to temper with its breezes ; inland seas and azure lakes to embellish and attract — such are a few of the elements that make the State of Washington and provide beau- teous homes for its people. Have you yet discovered that cozy retreat imagined in your youthful impressionable days, where true happiness is bound to reign? You can find it here — a place where wonderful pictures, real and far grander than the famous paintings of your favorite SNOQUALMIE FALLS (268 FEET)— "THE NIAGARA OF THE WEST. Copyright by Romans Photo Co. State of Washington artist, are constantly visible from your kitchen window or from your work shop — and they need no expensive frames to enhance their loveliness and no dusting to prevent their obscurity. What are your favorite pastimes? Are you one of the brave mountaineers who must yearly draw near the Almighty, and dare the elements by treading dangerous yet entrancing trails to heights where the world appears at your feet? Do you love to cruise in a little yacht built to accommodate yourself and a few well chosen friends, or motor over scenic highways to places of interest both near and far? Do you regard yourself a mighty hunter and desire so to convince your friends? Or would you be content to angle for the finny denizens of the deep with a certainty that you will not in turn be tantalized? The state of Washington affords unusual opportunity for all these. Its mountains, glaciers and waterfalls are not ex- celled by the most boasted scenes of Switzer land. Almost the year round the waters of Puget Sound and the har- bors of the southwest in- vite the small craft. Nearly 50,000 miles of scenic highway, passable for twelve months in succession, are ready for your automobiles. Game, both large and small, feathered and hoofed, will lure you through many a jungle of delicate fern and sweet scented bramble ; while countless streams and lakes teem with fish of many species. Picturesque parks, dazzling sunsets, roaring ocean surf, cozy camping sites, beach parties and clam bakes, college regat- MOUNT ADAMS AND FOREST-COVERED FOOTHILLS. 8 The Beauties tas, midwinter fairs, roses at Christmas, golf the year round on turf that's always green — these are a few of the charms that are as common in the state of Washington as sands in the Sahara, or ice at the Poles. If you are drawn by none of these, but desire only to satisfy that exalted yet mysterious feeling which lurks in everyone's breast, becoming manifest when the greatest works of the firm- ament are beheld, then by all means visit this the "Evergreen State" and drink in the glories which no book, howe'er so well written, and no picture, whoe'er the artist, can portray with any degree of fullness or accuracy. Washington is a region of variety and strong contrasts. At one moment you may be jostled along the streets of some metropolitan center among people of many nationalities and within a mere hour or so be wafted to a sequestered spot of tran- scendent beauty, where no voice but your own is echoed by the hills and where the existence of any other human being to share this planet can be completely forgotten. It is a state of large accomplishments. Big projects are planned ; mammoth irrigation schemes are carried out ; lands are reclaimed from the deep ; orchards fill its valleys ; wheat plateaus extend for miles ; salmon traps line the shores ; its lumber supplies the world ; its ships sail all the seas ; monstrous bridges cross the waterways ; buildings vie with the highest any- where constructed ; its schools rank first in the Union ; its men contribute to the world's greatness ; its women vote and rear capable families ; the people make their own laws. Loyalty, originality, enterprise, independence and liberality, all attributes of the western spirit, are evident throughout the state. Its population has grown in twenty odd years from 343,000 to over 1,400,000. In the meantime, wildernesses have been con- verted into gardens, villages have developed into towns, while towns have grown into cities, taking their places among the leading marts of the world. From a frontier state it has come to be one of the greatest and most important in the Union, add- ing to the galaxy of stars one of the brightest that has yet ap- peared on the horizon. H CD H £ W ffi H £ i— i CO H tf O CO S £ W I-o J o § J & fe ■*»> 03 © Q 09 £ ■to O e £ H to en O © S <» *©■ s ffi fts H fe O S O fc s < J "£ ^ w Qs ffi r o CO H w < a, J Cj :m:o\At>\im§> x ; .chad with alight that hath tid' name^ rV /JprX never sun^, V^J^*"*^ 5 ort on sJw^ and moioit ain Avail lire vJocls ^peat pictures mm^ Perhaps the most prominent feature which attracts the eye of a visitor upon his arrival in the Pacific Northwest consists of the mountain ranges with their towering snowcapped peaks, forming, as it were, ladders reaching from the green vales of earth to the blue vaults of heaven. Silhouetted against the sky in the hazy distance, they are noted by the westward bound trav- eler as soon as he reaches the highest point in the divide of the Rockies, while to the mariner groping his way eastward upon the Pacific Ocean they offer the first evidence of the nearness of the welcome land. These mountains mean much to the state of Washington, both for their scenic grandeur and for the favorable influence they exert on the climate and on the lives of the people who build their homes in the valleys below. Their supremacy is re- flected by the thermometer, the barometer, and the aerometer ; for they help regulate the temperature, the rainfall, and the wind's velocity. They form great repositories for the waters that feed the streams and keep full the cities' aqueducts. Within their immeasurable depths lie buried huge deposits of precious and useful metals, besides vast fields of bituminous coal. Their lower zones provide fertile and safe localities for the growth of Washington's big timber, while the alpine meadows above se- cure for the timid deer and ptarmigan asylums of temporary freedom from too frequent disturbance by prowling huntsmen. Still higher are the rugged bare prominences, reserved for the wild goat or mountain sheep, and the snow fields traversed by the more venturesome seeking to gain the summits. Everywhere the true sportsman finds ample opportunity for proving his MOUNT BAKER— FORTY MILES EAST OF BELLINGHAM. State of Washington 11 piowess, while trailing the beast to its lair, and the sight-seeking mountaineer is fully rewarded for all the struggle required to reach some dizzy height. Within the immense bosoms of these mountains nestle innu- merable lakes, beauteous beyond compare, near whose shady shores is many a sequestered spot, most tempting to the camper who loves the mountain region ; and many a brook goes trickling over its stony course to join the rivers below, pausing here and there in some shady dell to create a deep pool for luring the fish- erman, or hurling itself over some lofty precipice as a waterfall of wonderful magnitude and magnificence. The mountains are a link connecting us with the past. They remind us perhaps of the period when volcanoes belched forth their fiery refuse, or of the era when the sea covered most of what is now land. Indestructible they stand and their rocky heights are in places insurmountable. The works of man trespass everywhere else, but these huge pillars of the ages rise in their majestic splendor and with sublime dignity seem to say: "Thus far and no further ! We will preserve and guard your water and fuel supply. We will protect you from the furies of the elements and produce materials for building your palaces. We will create charming nooks where you may camp under the clear sky, and shady forests where you may pursue the chase. We will fill the brooks with swift darting fish ; carpet the meadows with myriads of flowers, ferns, and shrubs ; and paint you pictures undreamt of by men who have scorned our acquaintance. You are permitted to build roads whereby your Pullmans and your automobiles may cross to the other side, but not one of cur number shall be moved nor its form be changed in the least, except by that same invisible power at whose mighty will we were brought into existence." Each mountain range possesses its own distinct character- istics. Of least importance, but none the less beautiful, are the Blue Mountains in the southeastern corner of the state, providing pleasant summer retreats for the people in that vicinity. The Olympic range practically envelopes the Olympic Peninsula and all but encroaches upon the agricultural lands lying between the foothills and the salt waters on three sides. Q State of Washington 13 In this range are the most rugged mountains in Washington, presenting some of the wildest and most inspiring scenery any- where to be found. Most prominent and of greatest importance in the geography of the state are the Cascades, having an average altitude of from 5,000 to 8,000 feet and named for the many hurrying streams that have cut their deep courses upon the shady slopes. They extend from the British Columbia line slightly southwest until divided by the Columbia river, whence they continue through Oregon and become the Sierra Nevadas of California. By them the state of Washington is separated into two quite distinct parts, known as Eastern and Western Washington, the former comprising a portion of the great Inland Empire. Forming a sort of spur on their east side, north of the Columbia, and extend- ing to the mountains of Idaho are the beautiful rolling hills known as the Okanogan Highlands from 5,000 to 6,000 feet in altitude without sharp abrupt prominences and bearing on their higher surfaces forests of pine. Throughout the Cascade range several prominent peaks tower above the others like giants among dwarfs. The loftiest by far is Mount Rainier (or Mount Tacoma), second highest mountain in the United States proper, 14,408 feet in altitude and the chief mountain resort out of Seattle and Tacoma ; Mount Adams, 12,307 feet, on the boundary line of Skamania and Yakima counties ; Mount St. Helens, 9,697 feet high, at the western edge of Skamania county, reached from Castle Rock or Vancouver; Mount Baker, 10,730 feet, forty miles from Bellingham and one of its main attractions ; Mount Stuart, 9,470 feet, in Chelan county; and Glacier Peak, 10,436 feet, in Snohomish county. In this latitude 7,500 feet is the snow-line, but Washington has many peaks above that elevation. Fifty-seven have already been named and measured. All these peaks are accessible and, together with Mount Olympus in the Olympics, constitute the main goals of the moun- tain loving clubs of the northwest. Mountain phenomena are dis- played in all with a maximum degree of grandeur, insuring ample reward to those venturing to explore their many fastnesses. A FIR, A CEDAR, AND A HEMLOCK — PRINCIPAL TREES IN WASHINGTON. Photo by C. H. Ziddell. ^T^MING-TON FORE<3{f\S X Cedar, and pine, and iir , &r\A brajvckinjk palm.., ,X xV sylvan, scene, and as the ranks ascend ^£» unade above snade^Avoocj^" theater^ sta Dense forests of evergreen trees almost envelop the hills and mountains of the state of Washington. Scarcely any portions were originally left bare, excepting the higher peaks, which in a spirit of independence seem to have pushed their bald heads up and above this beautiful covering protecting the regions be- low. Into the fertile valleys and along the river banks clear to the sea the stately ranks of these forests once advanced, but such localities are now, for the most part, given over to the cities and the husbandmen or else in a state of semi-transforma- tion are awaiting the day when they too will be devoted to the peaceful pursuits of agriculture ; for the broad Columbia plain was the only part of the state dedicated from the first to the sole task of producing food supplies rather than fuel and building material. About ten million acres of these forests have been locked up in eleven national reserves, and set aside for our future needs, or to insure permanent haunts where Nature may always be seen in her full pristine glory — Conservation ! Nearly six million acres more are under private ownership. Investigation reveals evidences that their birth occurred very many years ago, possi- bly five hundred or even six hundred years ; for that many rings have been counted on some of the largest trees. The foliage appears every month in the year just as beautiful as when it first mingled with the landscape — hence the name "Evergreen State." The effect produced by this verdant growth upon the scen- ery of the state of Washington can be best realized by climbing 16 The Beauties to one of the heights overlooking the timber line. From here one can readily see how perfectly it hides every blemish of the irregular contour, blending beautifully with the blue waters in the distance and the pale clouds floating above. Thousands of greenish tints are distinguishable, shading from a light yellowish tinge to a deep prismatic blue, while occasionally a streak of bright red or a touch of pure white lends a striking contrast. Leaving the point of vantage, however, to delve into its midst, breathing in the aromatic odors from the balsams and cedars, it is easy to note hundreds of interesting distinctions in size, form, color, and variety, for "No tree in all the grove but has its charms, Though each its hue peculiar." One should know, too, that he is buried in one of the densest forests of the temperate zone ; while standing proudly on every side are individual giants, which for size can be duplicated no- where else in the world, excepting by occasional specimens of the famous Red Woods of California. These sturdy monarchs have all been honored with names and thoroughly worthy of their names they are, without a blemish to mar their fame in spite of the ages through which they have lived. Most prominent is the Douglas Fir, or Douglas Spruce (Pseu- dotsuga taxifolia), the giant of the forest, growing erect as a plumb-line until it ends in a pyramidal crown two hundred feet or more above the ground. This is the most important tree of the state, for its product houses the people, and for the past ten years has insured Washington first place in lumber production in the United States. Some of the largest trees reach the enormous proportions of eight, ten, and even twelve feet in diameter, a single one producing material sufficient to build a palace of huge dimensions. Of great importance also is the "Red Cedar," reaching some- times a height of 200 feet and having a diameter in rare cases of over 20 feet ; yielding for the state of Washington two-thirds of all the shingles produced in the United States. Similar to the Cypress, its sweet soporific scent is everywhere conspicuous and always pleasing. Other trees which provide lumber and add grace to the Washington woods are the hemlocks, spruces, 8 < « « %» &> S 8 •5* ti H 8 w Jfi *} •*> £ «W HH ^ £ ^3 J § >H 2 < • S •iS> fe 9 o 55i 8 s 8 £ 5~ n * a. State of Washington 17 larches, and white firs, in the western part of the state ; and the pines and tamaracs in a number of the eastern counties. Many other species, of minor commercial value, are sprinkled throughout the forest in sufficient plentifulness to complete the artistic design. There are the wide-leafed maples ; the red barked madronas ; the pale barked quivering cottonwoods and their al- lies, the bitter tasting willows ; the white flowered dogwood, prominent throughout the forests until late in the spring, and occasionally found blooming in the fall; the gray barked alder protecting the springs and mountain streams ; the sturdy oaks, skirting the gravelly prairies; the long lived juniper; and the hardy Scotch broom ; besides various other trees and shrubs. Many of these are so beautiful that landscape gardeners find nothing more suitable for decorating lawns or lining the city parks and boulevards. Here and there are many trees, shrubs and vines that seem to have been destined especially to yield food for the natural wanderers of the forests ; for it is intended that nothing shall be wanted in the state of Washington. There is probably no other section of the world where wild berries grow in greater pro- fusion. Very prominent^ the wild cherry, the wild apple, the salmon berry, the thimble berry, the huckleberry, the salal berry, the Oregon grape, the blackberry, the strawberry, the wild currant, and the raspberry. Hiding within the shade of these, playing hide and seek with nature lovers who enjoy threading the romantic trails for which this section of the world is noted, is many a modest flower which in some sections blooms nearly the whole year round, so soft is the climate; while the pink petaled rhododendron, of bolder nature, Washington's state flower, is prominent in June tossing its beautiful head among the dry logs and lining the course of many a pretty driveway. Penetrating everywhere and saturating the atmosphere with its sweetness, may be heard the music of some rippling stream winding its happy way down the mountain side and playing, as it were, an accompaniment to the duets of soul mated song birds unable to restrain their songs of joy. If this is a wilderness then a wilderness is a paradise on earth. —2 ONE INDUSTRY IN WHICH WASHINGTON RANKS FIRST. CLIMATE. internal uprrruk/with smilrru^V^iure here* ~£ Warms trie rruicLyur ana. crowns People considering a change of residence or a vacation trip are always interested in the climate of the locality attracting their attention, for they know that absolute contentment in any clime, even for a brief period, is impossible without a friendly attitude on the part of the elements. So many regions seem to have been permanently blighted by conditions opposed to human happiness, or at least to have been forgotten in certain import- ant essentials when Nature was passing round her favors. The state of Washington, however, received a full share of climatic blessings as well as scenic beauties. Without ex- tremes either cf heat or cold its climate is as temperate as that of southern England — a most remarkable fact when one real- izes that its latitude is higher than that of the state of Maine and its northern boundary line corresponds to that of North Dakota and Minnesota. Such equability is caused chiefly by the protecting mountains and their dense forests together with the breezes blowing direct from the ocean and warmed by the mysterious Japan Current. So uniform is the general temperature, excepting in the mountainous regions, that the same weight of clothing is by many found sufficient the year round. In every section there is a long growing season and only a short mild winter, known on the west side as the "rainy season." There is never danger from blizzards or intense "cold waves," for these are deflected to the country east of the Rockies. Trees retain their green foli- age the year round ; in most parts there is usually some pasture available every month ; and in certain sections many varieties of 20 The Beauties flowers will be found blooming outdoors in January. Cattle may be turned loose almost any day in the year and the farmer is saved the necessity of spending all his summer's profits in order that his livestock will not starve during a long cold period. The lowest monthly normal temperature, as deduced from a period of years, is for Seattle, 39° ; Spokane, 27° ; and Walla Walla, 33°. Contrast these with the normal temperatures of the following cities for the same month: Duluth, 10° ; St. Paul, 12° ; DesMoines, 20° ; and Chicago, 24°. The summers may be considered ideal. A breeze is general- ly stirring. There are no sunstrokes, for even in the warmest parts the dryness of the atmosphere favors evaporation. The nights are everywhere cool. When millions in other climes are rolling about in their torturous beds, struggling for the relief that sleep alone can impart, the Washingtonian doffs his clothes, tucks himself comfortably between his cozy quilts, and is soon wafted into the land of nod from which he awakes in the morning refreshed and ready for life's battle. MEAN MONTHLY AND SUMMER TEMPERATURE OF WASHING- TON CITIES COMPARED WITH THAT OP OTHER U. S. CITIES. June July Aug. Sep. Sum'r Puget Sound District 57 62 61 57 59 Seattle 60 64 63 58 61 Tacoma 58 63 63 57 60 Spokane 63 69 68 59 65 Chicago 66 72 71 64 68 New York City 69 74 73 66 70 Boston 66 72 70 63 68 Washington, D. C 73 77 75 68 73 Philadelphia 72 76 74 68 72 The summers, too, are particularly free from excessive rain- fall, such as discomforts the people in eastern cities during those months and causes so many disappointments ; for 80 per cent of our precipitation occurs between October 15th and May 15th, and 75 per cent between sunset and sunrise, so that the pleasures of the day are seldom marred. The heaviest fall of moisture occurs on the mountain slopes while the valleys, where the people make their homes, have no more than enough to produce a vigorous plant growth. The average for the year on Puget Sound is about the same as in Chicago and only three-fourths as much as in New York or SUNSET FALLS AND MOUNT INDEX, 40 MILES EAST OF EVERETT. 22 The Beauties Boston. The Cascade Mountains prevent as high a precipita- tion in the eastern counties where it corresponds more to that of California. The normal annual precipitation during a 36 year period^ according to the government statistics, was for Seattle, 36.6 inches ; Spokane, 18.8 inches ; Walla Walla, 17.7 inches ; Chi- cago, 33.3 inches ; New York, 44.6 inches ; Jacksonville, 53.2 inches ; Kansas City, 37.4 inches ; Boston, 43.3 inches ; Los An- geles, 15.6 inches ; and San Francisco, 22.3 inches. MONTHLY AND SUMMER RAINFALL OF U. S. CITIES. June July Aug. Sep. Sum'r Puget Sound District 1.59 0.67 0.74 2.01 5.01 Seattle 1.41 0.61 0.46 1.98 4.46 Tacoma 1.97 0.69 0.66 2.79 5.91 Spokane 1.61 0.67 0.48 1.01 3.8 Walla Walla 1.2 0.4 0.4 0.9 2.9 Chicago 3.52 3.62 3.02 3.06 13.22 New York City 3.41 4.08 4.38 3.44 15.31 Boston 3.14 3.51 4.15 3.44 14.24 Washington, D. C 3.74 4.34 4.98 3.25 16.31 Philadelphia 3.27 4.14 4.69 3.36 17.46 The same forces that affect the temperature and precipita- tion also offer protection against the extraordinary meteoro- logical occurences that so often terrorize the people in more exposed regions. "The Weather Bureau has no authentic record of a real tornado anywhere in the state of Washington" says G. N. Salisbury, Washington Section Director of the U. S. Weather Bureau. Violent thunderstorms are in most parts un- known. Loss of life never occurs from any of these causes. The atmosphere is always pure and salubrious and the death rate is lowest of all states in the Union, while its two largest cities have the lowest death rate of all cities in the United States, having a population of 100,000 or over. After all has been said it were best to come and see. Spend a season where no dreary winters will engender melancholy while waiting for a lingering spring, and where no sizzling heat will threaten prostration. Come to a state that is as free as possible from the ills of unfriendly phenomena, and where one beautiful day passes into the next as a pleasant dream shades into the sweetest realities of life. ." *•"" I - YACHTING ON PUGET SOUND. ;«".,,:..■*;,:,,.■::■■,: I EH H o H a H fa o o I o D3 H a « <3 H H O 02 PUGET SOI/lsTD s, Jv ldrLOrlockecL sea. witk harbors cLeep ana. "wi< ^Wkere allth je navies ol the world colcLcL rash. \%\ One glorious expanse of calm picturesque water is the great inland sea known as Puget Sound, extending from the Strait of Juan de Fuca far into the interior of the state of Washington. If the Strait mentioned, together with Hood Canal arid a por- tion of the Strait of Georgia are included, and they will be in this article, nearly 2,000 square miles of mirror like surface are encompassed within the green wooded shore lines of as many lineal miles. With sinuous arms, these waters reach in every direction, reflecting in their depths sometimes the lofty moun- tains, at other times gardens and farms of unusual attractive- ness, and again the modern cities located upon the shores. Almost everywhere have been sprinkled pretty emerald isles beckoning with all the lure of nature, while tree bedecked penin- sulas shelter hundreds of cuddling coves. Near the dividing shore line the "tide lands" reach out from the sunny beaches and supply a sort of neutral ground, enjoyed now by the clam diggers or oyster culturists and again claimed by the envelop- ing waters. Rising gently from the water's edge broad areas of fertile lands, which have been released from their forest burdens, are now devoted to the pursuits of husbandry and yield liberally to feed the multitudes dwelling in the neighboring large cities. Here and there patches of virgin growth in primeval splendor may still be seen, but usually, excepting in the Hood Canal region, the forests have been forced back to the foot hills, leav- ing in their wake the so-called logged-off areas which are in turn rapidly giving away to meadows and orchards. Further back 26 The Beauties to the east and west the mountains stand guard, while innumer- able streams with incalculable water power pierce their sides, transect the lower levels, and pour the sweets of the mountainous regions out into the salts of the deep. Occasionally rocky bluffs or promontories stand boldly out of the water, and command the view for miles in every direction. Pictures are everywhere presented which repro- duced on canvass would insure the immortality of any artist. Altogether the region presents the likeness of one vast kingly garden where every plant that will grow is nurtured and all wonders combine to enchant the visitor. This beauteous sea is not locked away behind impenetrable bulwarks of mountain walls, like many of nature's wonders, but is at the very door of the people and enjoyed by them while - g om g about - *~ -''i.*- r their daily I tasks. Nearly a 1 million human beings look out upon its placid waters and re- joice at their good fortune in being per- mitted to play, as it were, up- summer time pleasures. on its banks, and to feel the tender caresses of the soft whispering breezes that make the region such a pleasure ground in summer, and a haven in winter — and there is room for ten times as many to make their homes where these same joys may be experienced. Not in the lifetime of an individual, nor even in the period required for the most extravagant display of human skill, was this great pleasure resort created. Ages elapsed, say geologists, between the rising of the waters that "drowned" the rivers once flowing where now the Sound reposes and the advent of the glaciers which deposited the fertile sediment to nourish the luxuriant growth appearing on every hand. < o o Q m «1 H Q -a H 2 8i >» V > ° £ 02 O -M O H i— i U H a FROM I SEHOHE MILL J VIEWS NEAR THE EASTERN SHORES OF PUGET SOUND. State of Washington 29 IDEAL FOR YACHTING AND CRUISING. One can pass the entire summer on Puget Sound without see- ing a bit of rough weather. The largest ocean liners ride here safe from the storms that pound sometimes against the outer coast line; for its waters compose one great harbor, protected by the forests and mountains. One may see "Uncle Sam's" powerful fighting machines almost any day steaming toward Bremerton, one of the U. S. Naval Stations, where the largest dry dock owned by the U. S. Government is located. But this peaceful body of water is not for the big vessels alone. It could not have been improved if created especially for the yacht, the motor launch, the row boat and even the venture- some canoe. Upon its surface is held many a local speed con- test, and the annual power boat race is run from Ketchikan, Alaska, to Seattle. Conditions here are ideal for the college regatta and for the difficult feats of the hydroplane. During festive days many important events are pulled off, while the happy spectators, dressed in holiday attire, are crowded along the water's edge or perched on the ridges and house tops above. For cruising, no waters in the world offer such advantages — never threatened by tempests and always within reach of some of nature's most glorious beauty spots. Landing places suitable for camps are easily found, from which short inland excursions may be made through alpine meadows by winding trails to the summit of some mountain or to the shores of some peaceful lake. Those who are not fortunate enough to have their own craft are not necessarily deprived of enjoying these waters ; for regu- lar passenger steamers, of ample capacity and stately appear- ance make regular trips throughout the year from every city on its shores to nearly every other part of the Sound ; while special summer time excursions are made from the metropolitan cen- ters to all the principal points of interest on Puget Sound and to the cities of British Columbia and Alaska. HOOD CANAL. The waters that put one in closest touch with the mountains are in the narrow channel, or fiord, known as Hood Canal, ex- tending southwesterly and bending back into the heart of the Q o K oq & z p o o I— I Oh o M H p