As the first stop in the continental U.S. for birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway, Washington offers a wide range of birding opportunities and species, from the typical fall migrations of ducks and geese to the convergence of millions of shore birds in Grays Harbor each spring.

The rugged coastal beauty and dense rainforests of the Pacific Northwest come together on Washington's Olympic Peninsula to form a remarkable natural wonderland. This Insiders' Guide will introduce visitors to the parks and recreation that attract outdoor adventurers of all kinds to the area and provide an indepth look at the best places to stay and eat after a day on the water or hiking trail. For those who visit and can't bear the thought of leaving, there's information on real estate, neighborhoods and communities, retirement opportunities, and schools. Authors Rob and Natalie McNair-Huff live and write in Tacoma, Washington, and play all over the Olympic Peninsula.