Snoqualmie Falls -- The Beauty of Washington

One of my co-workers told me that she once moved to California, but she couldn't wait to move back to Washington because she missed Mount Ranier, the towering pine trees, and the Puget Sound. The Pacific Northwest is God's country.

Snoqualmie Falls is one of the most beautiful sites in Washington. Located on the Snoqualmie River between Snoqualmie and Falls City, this massive waterfall spills 268 feet over granite rocks. That is more than one hundred feet higher than Niagara Falls.

These photographs of the falls were taken on Saturday, November 26, 2011 between 5:30 and 6 p.m.

The Snoqualmie tribe has lived in western Washington for centuries. The falls were one of their traditional burial sites. The Snoqualmie believed that the First Woman and First Man were created at the falls by Moon the Transformer. They also believed that the mists rising from the base of the falls carried prayers to the Creator. The mists connected Heaven and Earth.

In 1992, Snoqualmie Falls was first nominated for the National Register of Historic Places because of its link to the spiritual beliefs of the Snoqualmie tribe. At that time, the property owners (Puget Sound Energy) objected to the listing. However, the owners eventually rescinded their objection. On September 2, 2009, the falls were listed in the National Register.

Snoqualmie Falls is the site of two hydroelectric power plants owned by Puget Sound Energy. The first power plant was built in 1898 and was the world's first completely underground power plant. It operates at the base of the falls. The second power plant was built in 1910 and is located slightly downstream of the falls. Approximately one per cent of Puget Sound Energy's electricity is generated by these power plants. That is enough energy to service about 16,000 homes.

There is a two mile park with an observation deck, a gift shop and an expresso stand at the falls. The hiking trail is closed until 2013, but hopefully we will be able to take you there after the trail reopens.

Note: Some of the historical information is from Wikipedia and/or from signs at the park's observation deck.

All Aboard the Santa Train

During the holiday season, the Northwest Railroad Museum transforms its historic train to the Santa Train. Evergreen wreaths, Christmas lights and stockings make this a wonderful train ride for children of all ages. I took my daughters and my grandchildren. We had a great time.

Passengers board at the North Bend Depot for a 3.5 mile ride to Snoqualmie to meet Santa Claus. At the Snoqualmie Depot, families can have their photos taken with Santa. Visitors can enjoy hot cocoa and cookies baked in the kitchen car's coal stoves.

Guests can shop in the museum's gift shop, view historic train cars and explore a small town seeping with railroad history. I recommend visiting the Candy Factory, a candy store and soda fountain that makes its own salt water taffy, nut brittles and fudge. Ninety minutes after arrival, passengers board for the return trip to North Bend.

The Northwest Railroad Museum tells a fascinating tale of the rivalry between old Seattle and Tacoma. In 1870, the Northwest Pacific Railroad began building a route from Minnesota to the Pacific Coast. Seattle's residents were outraged in 1873 when the railroad announced that the route was complete and ended in Tacoma. Seattle and King County had been completely left out!

Determined to build their own transcontinental route, Seattle's citizens created the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railroad. The North Bend Depot was built in the Upper Snoqualmie Valley in 1890. Shortly thereafter, the SLS & E Railroad ran out of money and construction of its route ended. In 1901, the Northwest Pacific Railroad bought the failing SLS & E Railroad. By that time, Seattle was included in Northwest Pacific's route.

A Washington tradition since 1969, the Santa Train only runs 8 days each year. Tickets cost $20.00 per person and may be purchased at www.trainmuseum.org or by telephoning (425)888-2206. You can buy tickets in person at the Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 SE King Street, Snoqualmie, WA. Buy your tickets in advance because the Santa Train sells out every year.