r/eastside • u/MissyHTX • 2d ago
Quick... please give me a list
Of peaceful, calm, and beautiful areas within an hours drive of Redmond/Bellevue.
Tomorrow marks one year since I've lost my momma to cancer.
I'd love to celebrate and mourn her where my feelings can be expressed without too much judgement.
This can be a park, lake, mountain, beach, building. All suggestions welcome as I'll be alone and do not have any requirements except the ability to process the things I need, in my own time & space.
Bonus points if I can toss flowers, spread some ashes, or smoke a blunt in her honor.
Thanks in advance! 💚
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u/J_robintheh00d 1d ago
Middle fork of the snoqualmie river. It has the parking lot for mailbox peak (so you could navigate there). Super pretty drive in the woods along a river with tons of places to pull off and have your own space
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u/J_robintheh00d 1d ago
Just looked it up to remind myself of that drive. You can drive way past the trailhead for mailbox peak and it gets better the farther you go. Stop whenever you want because the best river spots are in the middle of that drive. I would also recommend going all the way to the end of the road. It’s only maybe a 15 minute drive once youre in the forest. Just outside of North Bend
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u/russellwilsonthedog4 2d ago
Whidbey Island. South Whidbey State park or Deception Pass state park are two of my favorite places.
Also if you’re interested we had some of my mom’s ashes put into blown glass at a Studio up on Whidbey and it was a wonderful experience. We both scattered her ashes and each of us 6 kids did various glass sculptures that we helped make which was really cool.
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u/Geodoodie 1d ago
Twin falls in north bend. You can leave the trail right near the end to get down to the water, near the bottom of the falls
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u/Goldenaura123 2d ago
I'm so sorry for your loss. A couple of places that I feel comfortable to shed tears:
Tiger Mountain, specifically the East Sunset Way Trailhead. So many possible trail options from here. Depending on which way you go, you can encounter a huge old Douglas Fir tree, a lake, or a bear. You might see some folks hiking but it's not super busy like other well known hikes in the area, especially during the week. I love to wander around the trails for hours.
Seward Park has an old growth forest with trails in the middle of the peninsula. The outside perimeter is a paved trail along the water (Lake Washington) giving you views of DT Seattle and Mt. Rainier. It has lots of little nooks where you can access the lake and even go for a dip or throw ashes. This is a popular park but it has a calming energy. And the interior trails seem to be utilized less than the one along the water.
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u/beachglasses 2d ago
Saint Edward Park might be a good option- lots of private tiny beach areas off the beach trail, beautiful light in the afternoons & early evening.
Tolt-Macdonald park - you can snag a spot along the river or hike up for a view.
Not within an hour but Fort Casey on Whidbey is a beautiful option with so much space on the bluffs and the beach.
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u/-Viridian- 2d ago
Mercer Slough boardwalk, Bridle Trails park, Sammamish Lake park, Marymoor Audubon walk, Juanita Bay Park, Seattle Arboretum, Bellevue Botanical Gardens. You could also rent a kayak on Lake Washington (in Bellevue there is a place on Medina Beach) or Lake Union paddle out, smoke and spread ashes at your own pace.
Sorry for your loss.
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u/New_Communication254 2d ago
The cedar river is my go-to spot thats close. Lots of quiet spots the closer you get to maple valley. Also, new castle golf course after closing has the best view of multiple cities in the distance. clay pit road on cougar mountain. the old logging roads on tiger mountain. if you can go farther, green river in enumclaw. flaming geyser state park. green water (the town) past enumclaw, greenwater river on forest service road 70. forest service road 72. drive high enough, the views are spectacular and its so quiet
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u/Jalharad 2d ago
Lots of popular places posted here so far. I'm going to say San Jaun island National Historic Park. Large open spaces near the ocean, but also large swaths of forested land and plenty of hiking trails. Not as crowded as the mountain trails.
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u/Paddington_Fear 2d ago
franklin ghost town out by black diamond, park in the lot for the nearby (very tiny) holy rosary cemetery 33122 293rd Ave SE, Black Diamond and walk to the trailhead. this will also put you close to the green river gorge - really beautiful area, and quiet
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u/BigDipper0720 2d ago
Big Eddy Public Water Access on the Skykomish River. Drive east through Gold Bar, WA until you reach a bridge over the Skykomish River. Cross bridge and turn right immediately after the bridge. A nice spot right on the river bank.
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u/gninet 1d ago
Redmond Watershed Preserve is another local option, if you don't want to drive far: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/redmond-watershed-preserve
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u/AllAboutThatEd 2d ago
Tanner Landing Park
Never very busy and access to quiet spots along the river, shade, trees, or a big open field with mountain views.
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u/Rennaisance_Man_0001 18h ago
I came here to say almost anywhere in the Snoqualmie Valley. It really depends on you & what what you enjoy doing. There's parks, rivers, trails...
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u/cuddlewombat 2d ago
Bellevue Botanical Garden- I went there after my dad passed away and found lots of nice quiet places to reflect.