Here are 11 small but meaningful things about Washington state that can make anyone who’s lived there feel unexpectedly homesick:
- The dense evergreen forests and towering Douglas firs lining the roads and neighborhoods, giving everything a lush, green backdrop year-round.
- The sound of salmon rushing upstream in clear mountain streams during spawning season, a symbol of life and resilience.
- The persistent gentle drizzle or light rain, which can be gloomy but also gives the state its vibrant green beauty.
- The soft, misty morning fog rolling over Puget Sound and coastal areas, creating a mysterious and serene atmosphere.
- The distinctive smell of pine, cedar, and wet earth after a rain shower.
- The view of snow-capped peaks of the Cascades or Olympic Mountains framing city skylines.
- The taste of fresh, locally caught seafood like salmon and Dungeness crab, uniquely flavored by the region’s waters.
- The quiet, tranquil hikes through moss-draped old-growth forests, where every step feels connected to nature.
- The phenomenon of the “Seattle Freeze,” a cultural quirk of reserved warmth that new-comers puzzle over but longtime residents understand.
- The classic blue and white King County Metro buses and sound of rain tapping on their windows during the commute.
- The electric energy of unexpected summer sunbreaks after long rainy winters, inspiring a collective joy and outdoor gatherings.
These little everyday experiences and local nuances subtly weave into the fabric of life in Washington, and missing them can make even the strongest feel a pang of homesickness when away.
SOURCES
[1](https://thehonestlocal.com/pros-cons-living-washington-state/)
[2](https://theautoethnographer.com/what-does-homesickness-look-like-concrete-fish-staying-the-same/)
[3](https://www.reddit.com/r/Washington/comments/1qpk2x/homesick_for_wa/)
[4](https://resources.twc.edu/articles/unexpectedness-being-homesick)
[5](https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-handle-homesickness-in-college)
