Snoqualmie July 2022

The powerful Snoqualmie Falls cascade with a dramatic plunge into the basin below, captured in the glowing light of the setting sun. The falls are framed by rugged cliffs adorned with a tapestry of green moss and trees, while a misty spray rises from the impact. In the foreground, delicate green foliage softly blurs into the scene, and the evergreen forest stands in the background under a pastel sky.

Holly and I recently returned from Washington. We took a trip out there to go visit my sister who was finishing her internship at Microsoft.

I have not spent a ton of time in the Pacific Northwest—it is quite beautiful. We met up with my sister, her husband and my parents at Salish Lodge in Snoqualmie.

We arrived after sunset. And only had two full days to visit, so we tried to make the most of it.

Day 1

Snoqualmie Falls cascades forcefully through a crevice in the rocky terrain, illuminated by the soft light of the early evening sun. The waterfall is a frothy column of white, contrasting with the rugged, dark cliffs and the rich greenery of the Pacific Northwest forest that surrounds it. Wildflowers and grass in the foreground sway gently in the breeze, while the serene sky above peeks through the dense canopy of trees, completing this picturesque natural scene.
A vibrant pink foxglove stands in sharp focus, with its bell-shaped purple flowers descending along the stem, speckled with patterns inside. The foreground is a soft blur of wildflowers and grass, creating a natural tapestry of greens, yellows, and pinks under a cloudy sky. In the softened background, a quiet country road gently curves, bordered by the dense greenery of a Pacific Northwest forest.
Hiking along a narrow trail in the Snoqualmie forest. The scene is vibrant with lush greenery; towering trees covered in thick moss stand sentinel on either side of the path. The ground is carpeted with ferns and the forest canopy above filters soft, diffused light.

The first day, my sister found some nearby trails for us to hike. The forests were lush and the air was crisp. It was nice to get out of the August heat of Atlanta.

The trail had a handful of wet spots, which normally would not be an issue, but it was tough going with my nearly bald Allbird sneakers. Lesson learned—Holly still pokes fun at me for that.

The Salish Lodge sits at the top of Snoqualmie Falls. There’s a look out that’s about a half mile walk, that makes for a spectacular sight at sunset.

Day 2

The interior of a classic train carriage is captured in solitude, featuring rows of black leather seats with a patina of age. The seats are flanked by mint green walls and large windows that provide a view of the lush foliage outside, blurring as it might when the train is in motion. Overhead luggage racks await passengers of bygone days. The wooden floorboards and the metal accents on the seats reflect the authentic design of early 20th-century railway travel.
A historic Army Medical Service train car, an 'Ambulance Kitchen Car,' rests on the tracks under the expansive branches of a tree. The olive green exterior and the prominent red cross symbol speak to its past role in providing medical support. The muted colors of the train give a sense of its historical significance.
A group of visitors, including children and adults, gather around a bright orange locomotive at the Northwest Railway Museum. They appear engaged and excited, with some waving towards the train engineer. The vibrant colors of the train stand out against the overcast sky.
A selfie of us on a vintage train ride. The rich wooden interior of the train carriage, complete with maroon velvet seats and warm lighting, adds a classic touch to the photo. Stained glass windows on the upper part of the carriage allow a hint of natural light to seep in, enhancing the nostalgic ambiance of their adventure."
Passengers disembark from vintage Spokane railway cars on a cloudy day. The train, a relic of a bygone era, sits on the tracks surrounded by lush greenery. A group of visitors explore the area with curiosity, some walking along the wooden platform beside the train. The overcast sky creates a dramatic backdrop to this scene of travel and exploration, evoking a sense of nostalgia and adventure.
The view from the end of a train car peeks out onto a winding track through a lush Pacific Northwest forest. Dappled light filters through the dense canopy of trees onto the railway, which disappears into the misty distance. The quiet, verdant landscape envelops the tracks.

The weather did not cooperate as much for us on our second day. So no hiking, but we did have an opportunity to take a train to visit the Northwest Railway Museum. I love both trains and museums, so taking a train to a train museum was the best possible outcome for a rainy afternoon.

The train we took was neat. It had several cars, all from different eras that had been restored to look like they did originally.

When we got to the museum I discovered two relics of my childhood.

A detailed model train, a black Lionel locomotive, sits on a miniature track surrounded by realistic scenery. The train model, with intricate designs and a glossy finish, captures the essence of a bygone era of steam engines. The landscape includes textured greenery resembling moss and small shrubs, adding depth and life to the miniature world. In the background, model railway signals and a tunnel entrance enhance the illusion of a bustling model train set environment.
A full-sized Thomas the Tank Engine model awaits repairs.

The first was a train set. On it’s own that’s not anything particularly surprising—especially in a train museum. However, they had the exact same Pennsylvania Flyer Lionel o-gauge train that I had as a kid. I haven’t seen it in at least 20 years.

The other was a full-sized Thomas the Tank Engine parked outside the museum. Apparently, he was part of some sort of upcoming event and was getting repairs done. Bummer we were too early.

I spent countless hours watching the show as a kid. It was surreal to see a giant Thomas the Tank Engine. I would have gone nuts as a kid.

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