Mount Rainier, the tallest mountain in Washington. With one hundred or more inches of precipitation falling annually at Mount Rainier, streams and waterfalls dot its lower slopes. Thick mossy forests grow up to about 4,500 feet in elevation and beautiful alpine meadows cover areas just above that.

The Oregon Coast was explored as early as 1543 by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and 1592 by Juan de Fuca. Trappers and missionaries began exploring the area around the year 1800, and the famous Lewis and Clark expedition camped near the mouth of the Columbia River in 1805. Oregon is roughly rectangular in shape. Lies to the north, Idaho. To the east, and California. Two interstate routes serve Oregon. Interstate 5 passes north-south through Portlan.

Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, making it the 43rd state. As the west was being settled, Idaho was a wilderness through pioneers passed on their way to Oregon. Was built on the Oregon Trail for protection from Indians and became a major stop on the route. The city of Boise grew up near there, and is now the capitol of the state. Numerous other towns had their origins as stops along the Oregon Trail. Flows out of Yellowstone National Park.