North Beach

There's a reason why Seattle is called the "Emerald City": the frequent rain not only nourishes the trees but keeps them washed and free of dust and the residue of air pollution. Across from my house on a lovely Spring day, like today, the variety of trees turns the forest into a collage of different shapes, textures and shades of green.

Less than a five minute drive from home is North Beach, which borders the Puget Sound. Access to this beach by motor vehicles is controlled, so there are never many cars there at any time, and in mid-afternoon, in mid-week, we had the beach, the little lighthouse and the expanse of wild nature preserve adjoining it almost all to ourselves, except for a couple of adults and small children.

Driftwood, gnarled and bleached, washed up onto the beach, presents an ever-changing exhibition of sculptures.




Even Mount Rainier's snow-covered craggy flanks can be seen in the distance, if you look closely.