“Perception is more important then reality to the human mind. One can be conditioned to perceive scarcity in abundance, chaos in order, loss in gain.” Mommzen
The ‘Fog Forests’ of Western Washington
WASHINGTON STATE
If you like to look at trees . . . . 
Western Washington is one big forest - mostly evergreen trees with needle leafs, and some broad leaf deciduous species that add beautiful colors to the fall season.
Then there is the wildlife. Lots of animals, fish and birds - and of course that most dangerous of species - man. Large tracts of land have been set aside by both the state and federal government as parks for the preservation of primitive nature and the opportunity for people to experience it. The state has fantastic scenery at every turn of the road. And the western portion of the state is green - like ‘wet’ green. It rains a lot.
This is a land where you can live off of nature’s bounty. Harvesting elk, deer, grouse, etc. from the forest - ducks, geese, salmon, trout, crayfish, from the waterways, and oysters, clams, crabs, shrimp and fish from the ocean. In fact some people here are basically doing just that - selling what they do not use themselves to other citizens - or for export to China’s insatiable demand for wild game. Some of this is done by legal hunting/gathering - some of it is done under the laws that favor harvesting by the Native Americans - and of course, some of this is done by wildlife outlaws. Among the Washingtonians themselves there does not seem to be a consensus of opinion as to who has the right to do what with the wildlife. One of the strangest harvests of wildlife for export to China is done by Puget Sound Indians. They dive for a clam that has a lifespan of 150+ years. I guess the Chinese want it for the ‘longevity’ factor. The Orientals eat exotic animal parts for the supposed ‘curative powers’ of the animal (medicinal not culinary motive) - and that is why those animal parts from exotic wildlife bring such high prices. However there are reports of dangerous levels of toxic contamination in Puget Sound - and then there are reports that the water quality is now improving.
Washington breeds and attracts weirdness to the Pacific Northwest wilderness. No - I am not talking about Forks and the ‘Twilight’ series. Although it does seem appropriate that this show is filmed in Washington. I am talking about the popularity of local religious cults, the gun culture, and a good portion of the populace walking around in camouflaged clothing. The people in all of these groups have stocked up on ammo and food in preparation for what they perceive as the soon to come armageddon. Everyone has their own version of armageddon of course - radical earth change, radical political change, extraterrestrial invasion, Muslim invasion, plague, etc. Many see Washington State as the last stand for civilization when the end times arrive - so this is were many of the country’s survivalists come to dig in.
Billboards and signs with biblical quotations nailed to trees - people walking around holding placards saying; “REPENT! The end is near”. Additional evidence that these people are taking armageddon serious. In Washington State I personally saw someone carrying around one of those “REPENT” signs on the street that normally you only see in a cartoon.
Western Washington is wonderful, wacky and wet! This is not to say that the majority of the people there are not normal friendly folks - because they are. Washington State hospitality is great, most of the people are friendly and easy going, eager to please visitors to their beautiful state.
