The Beauties of the Pacific Northwest

Hey! My name is Afton Prater and I am a 20-year-old student at Central Washington University. I grew up in Seabeck, WA and my hobbies are singing, songwriting, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. I am a Public Relations major and I am excited for what the future holds in store for me in this field of study.


Standing on the edge of the Hood Canal, you see a multicolor sunset of orange, pink, yellow, and red. The gentle waves crash against the shore, as a fresh breeze is brought in. The snowy ice-capped Olympic Mountains are revealed in the distance and the vast amount of evergreen trees surrounding you makes you want to adventure among them. The only sounds heard are seagulls flying above, gentle waves crashing, and the leaves of the trees brushing together in the distance. You are in complete peace and harmony with nature. 

Through my years living in the Pacific Northwest, I am constantly reminded that there is no place like it. The amazing scenery and views make the Pacific Northwest one of a kind. There are an endless amount of activities to partake in just about anywhere you go. There are a vast number of hikes to conquer and multiple rivers and lakes to boat and fish on. There is an abundant amount of wildlife that live in the Pacific Northwest, so you never know what you might see from bald eagles, deer, elk, bears, cougars, and coyotes, to otters, seals, sea lions, porpoises, and whales. Every day is an adventure in the Pacific Northwest.

While the wilderness in the Pacific Northwest is admirable, there are also large cities to venture through, such as Seattle. The city of Seattle is a major tourist destination that is very unique and diverse. As you walk through Pikes Place Market, you set your eyes on the finest, freshest seafood that you’ve ever seen. The smell of freshly baked bread is in the air as you pass the finest bakeries, while the crisp scent of the Puget Sound still lingers. As you walk downtown you encounter musicians playing and artists creating. You then wait in-line in the first Starbucks known to man, and a sense of happiness fills your soul as you get that warm cup of the best coffee you’ve ever tasted. As the sun sets below the horizon, the space needle begins to glisten in the distance and the whole city shines. The city streets become less busy as people rush into the highest rated nightclubs or begin their show at the Fifth Avenue Theatre. The city never sleeps because of all the fun to be had.

I encourage you to visit the Pacific Northwest for its elements of nature and for the city experience. You will not be let down. The Pacific Northwest is a perfect combination of nature and city life that will leave you with a memorable experience.  



Breathtaking sunset on Hood Canal in Seabeck, WA with Olympic Mountains in distance. In summer, the Hood Canal is a popular location to crab and fish for many people, stretching 68 miles long.
Sky view of the magnificent Mount Rainier, towering 14,411 ft. Mount Rainier is a major tourist destination welcoming approx. 2 million people annually, being home to many beautiful plant species and animals.
A captivating capture of a conifer tree in the Pacific Northwest wilderness. The three most common types of Conifers in the PNW are Douglas Firs, Western Red Cedars, and Western Hemlocks.
Beautiful evergreen, mountainous filled hikes just minutes away from large cities
Snowy, June day on Chinook Pass, which passes through the Cascade Range having a 5,430 ft elevation. Chinook Pass is also a trailhead to the Pacific Crest Trail, giving entrance to Cougar Lake, Dewey Lake, Crystal Mountain Ski Resort, and the Norse Peak Wilderness.
Ice-capped Olympic Mountains from sky view is an amazing sight. The Olympic Mountains are home to the Olympic National Forest which includes three ecosystems: subalpine forest and wildflower meadow, temperate forest, and the Pacific coast.
View from Bremerton-Seattle ferry of the city. Pictured is the Seattle Great Wheel, which is the first Ferris wheel that was built over water, opening on June 29, 2012. In 2017, Seattle welcomed an estimated 39.9 million visitors.