Generally speaking, Cascadia is understood to be the “Pacific Northwest.” I don’t like that PNW term, mostly because it is inelegant, but also because it is a bad description. Seriously, northwest of what exactly. I live in the center of the universe. But, this discussion of the geography of Cascadia, what is inside the region…
Month: January 2014
Four answers to what makes Olympia different (Olyblogosphere for January 27, 2013)
1. Over at Olyblog, we have the question: What is there about Olympia that makes it different than any other city? 2. Answer one: A refreshingly honest blog and a great idea (Olympia as a place to call home on vacation as you explore western Washington). 3. Answer two: Have you ever met Berd? Interesting…
What I got wrong with the history of the Deschutes Estuary
When I wrote up a longish history of the Deschutes River estuary, I summarized the late 1920s like this: In the late 20s, Wilder and White and the Olmsted firm participated in a back and forth over the landscaping plan, with the state capitol committee in the middle. In one telling, the result was that…
Your “Thurston County wasn’t always a liberal haven” reminder for Martin Luther King Day 2014
Update 8/22/2021: Given a few years learning more about Olympia’s past in this era, I am less surprised that Olympia was pretty racist in the 1960s or that Mike Layton himself was even more racist. Thanks to Robin in the comment below for spurring this update. I’m going to leave this post in place, but…
The state of the amazing hills and the blogs in them (Olyblogosphere for January 13, 2013)
1. I’ve been up to this spot before. I wish I’d had thought to take a picture like this one. Amazing. 2. Good idea: I am planning to make my windows less reflective so other birds don’t attempt to fly through them. It doesn’t make sense to create an environment that enhances our bird-watching pleasure…
Reagan won both Thurston and King counties in 1980 and 1984. Why is that?
1984 presidential results in Washington State. The 1980 and 1984 elections in western Washington baffle me a little bit. The Reagan Revolution was strong throughout the entire Cascadian coast, except for a few counties at the mouth of the Columbia River. Both Thurston and King counties (among other Puget Sound counties) are traditionally Democratic now….