Washington is nicknamed the Evergreen State, and this comes from the year round green brought by the cool climate. Rain comes with that, and that is one major thing Washington is known for. Rain paints the state in a drab, depressing gray, or so goes the narrative. But is it really true?
Seattle is the most populous area in Washington, so it’s only natural that the stereotypes are based on Seattleites. People believe that Seattleites are fueled entirely by coffee, have an almost instinctive disdain for anyone from anywhere else, and worship strange places and rituals like the gum wall or the flying fish at Pike Place. They’re always willing to deny their impressive lack of driving etiquette, yet prefer walking and biking almost fanatically. They can always be found in Patagonia, North Face, REI, or Nordstrom clothing with a pair of Birkenstocks, and haven’t discovered the umbrella yet. And of course, they’re vitamin D deficient.
One of the biggest perceptions about Washington is how it rains all the time, for several months of the year. Constant, unrelenting rain. But then, in summer, tourists come to the Emerald City with a “look at this new destination I’ve found” attitude and it may feel upsetting and contradictory to residents who feel like they live in the greatest city in the world. It’s one of a list of knockdowns that contribute to an underdog, don’t help me esque mentality. It can be found in the grunge sound of Seattle, the lowly sports teams, their attitude towards outsiders, and of course, their eternal ignorance of rain. Now, a lot of the stereotypes I’ve mentioned Seattleites will begrudgingly accept as true, but absolutely insist that there’s more to them and their city.
And this is where it applies to the state. Washington is really so much more than what people think it is. There is beauty in every nook and corner of the state, and so much variety in people and places. Most importantly, Washington is a lot more than the greater Seattle area. One description that could fit our state is that it’s two states inside a trench coat disguised as one. This could be accurate because of all the contrasts between east and west. The east is rural, while the west is mostly urban. The east is hot, dry, and mostly desert, but the west is cool, wet, and densely forested. According to the World Population Review, the east has about 1.1 million people, and the west has about 6.3 million people. But there is also the principle that opposites attract, and variety makes something more complete. And that’s the case with our state. Washington champions variety in the most beautiful way. It’s important to recognize that. From the peaks of the Olympics to the golden hills of the southeast, Washington is beautiful, especially in the people you see. The many different diasporas that are in our state creates our culture.
Truly, the beauty of Washington goes beyond the rain. Our state, the gem of the Northwest, has many different beautiful colors and hues, and it’s important to see each part.
