by Katherine Maxwell (Author)
Seattle, the Emerald City on the shores of Puget Sound, is the crown jewel of the Pacific Northwest. To the west are the jagged peaks of the Olympic Mountains and to the east are the rolling hills of the Cascade Mountain Range. On a clear day the towering peak of Mr. Rainier dominates the southern skyline while the cone-shaped peak of Mt. Baker can be seen to the north. Portland, Oregon sits in the shadow of the larger Pacific Northwest cities of Seattle and Vancouver, but is one of the most overlooked gems in the United States. The city is a leader in progressive social thinking including social justice and green values. Portland is the bicycling capital of the United States and a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast.