Washingtonians all know and love sportscaster Dave Niehaus. He is most famous for saying “Get out the rye bread and mustard, Grandma, it is a grand salami time!” every time a Mariners made a grand slam homerun, but he also coined a few other gems in his era. Among them, "Swung on and belted!,” which he used to announce long fly balls that might go over the wall. And he is credited for bestowing “A-Rod” upon Alex Rodriguez.
Niehaus passed away in 2010 but Washingtonians (including Mackelmore) remember him fondly.
2. That Washington Put IPAs On The Map—You’re Welcome
Sure, there are beer snobs in other locales too, but Washingtonians have been the frontrunner of craft beer for the last 30 years or so. And our beers are not for the faint of heart. We practically put IPA on the map. Have two of our beers and you’re not fit to drive.
Our lush, temperate climate is ideal for growing robust hops and our fair state can grow as much as 75 percent of the entire U.S. hop production. Beer fever is spreading across the nation, there’s no denying it. But it’s spreading from the source: here in Washington.
Washington has 146 active breweries in operation and the state lays claim to the first microbrewery, Yakima Brewing and Malting Co, founded in 1982. Cheers to beers!
3. That Wheedle Is Still Frickin’ Awesome
What Washingtonian didn’t grow up with the story of Wheedle on the Needle? The Wheedle was a character in a Stephen Cosgrove book written for children in the ’70s. The squirrel-like creature had trouble falling asleep so, long and weird story short, he ended up making it rain and slept on the Space Needle. There was a blinking light and some diplomatic entreaties and the story ended happily with some earmuffs saving the day.
Washingtonians loved Wheedle so much that he came to represent Seattle, becoming a mascot for the NBA Sonics, the Needle itself, and a local news station for a spell.
4. That Washington Is Actually Two States: West Washington And East Washington
It’s fairly well known that there is a major climatic difference between the part of Washington that lies to the west of the Cascade Mountains and that which lies to the east. In general, the west side tends to be rainy and overcast while the east side falls under the rainshadow created by the mountains and, as a result, receives very little rain.
However, less well-known is that there’s a divisiveness running through Washington more pervasive than just weather. The east and the west fight over who contributes more economically, who has the best schools or the worst crime, whose infrastructure doesn’t work and whose does. It’s an argument not often won, and one that usually ends in the two sides agreeing that splitting into states two would suit them just fine.
5. That Spider Season Is Something That Actually Exists Outside Of Your Worst Nightmares… Shudder
Most places have a spring season or a rainy season. Not here. Nope, here instead of springtime we have spidertime. The Washington environment is rich in diversity of habitats with ample leaf litter, making it ideal for our eight-legged friends. They are everywhere you look during springtime.
Small and big alike, they lurk in corners, along the arms of outdoor chairs, in bathtubs and sinks…Bug experts say having spiders around helps with insect control and that they are good for other reasons. But they all bite and they’re all venomous, so when confronted with a giant spider that’s too big for the bottom of a shoe, or witnessing the hatching of thousands of tiny spiders rapidly spreading everywhere, I’ll pass, thanks.
6. That 50 Degrees Is Shorts Weather, Dammit
We Washingtonians love shorts, so much so that we will wear them even in 50-degree weather. Hey, in a state where warm weather (real warm weather, with sun and all) only reigns for a few weeks a year, we take what we can get. We have to shine our pasty legs sometime, right?
After about nine months of wintery chill and cloudy drizzle, we get a little excited when we think the sun might be peeking out. So on the first day of spring we own it. If we’re not walking around town in shorts and a long-sleeved shirt, then we’re tanning in our yard with goose bumps on our skin. All of this doesn’t explain why we wear socks with our Teevas or Birkenstocks—that topic is for another discussion.
7. That Washington Seafood Is The Best Seafood—Deal With It
Bordered by the Pacific Ocean and the Puget Sound, and replete with tons of rivers and lakes and streams from which to fish, Washington is an ideal place for serious fishermen and weekend dabblers alike. Up here, some of the most delectable seafood is just a lure away. King salmon, ling cod, albacore tuna, halibut, dungeness crab, shrimp, crawfish, oysters and clams, oh my!
Because of the amazing bounty in our waters, fishing is strictly regulated and monitored and there is practically a different license for each kind of seafood. Some things are only in season for a few short weeks and everyone flocks to the water in boats and dinghies, eager to make payday.
8. That Just Recycling Is For Amateurs
Here in Washington State, environmental sustainability is a big deal. So big, in fact, that’s it’s simply not enough anymore just to sort the paper and plastics into recycling bins. Washing out plastic bags for re-use and bringing your own sacs to the grocery store is so passé. Everyone does that.
Composting is eco-friendly and trendy, and isn’t just for serious gardeners and hippies anymore. It’s a perfectly common practice in Washington homes and even fast food restaurants and convenience stores even have compost bins right alongside their trash and recycle bins.
9. How To Get One Hell Of A Buzz
We may be signing up for more than we know. Washington is known for its love of coffee—we have more coffee bean roasters per capita than any other state in the nation.
Marijuana is also used quite liberally here. In fact, the state of Washington recently legalized it, along with Colorado. Each to its own—hey, that’s not such a bad thing! But when you combine the two? I’m not so sure. Ever seen a teenybopper at a dance club all hopped up on Redbull and vodka? Yeah I’m scared.
10. That Onion Breath Is Sweet
Washington has the best onions around. As a result AJ’s Walla Walla Sweet Onion Mustard will blow your taste buds’ minds. It’s Dijon mustard meets spicy hot mustard meets the subtle sweetness of Walla Walla onions, named so for the town in Washington where they are grown.
It’s a taste bud-tantalizing sensation. It might have been the perfect topping for Dave Niehaus’ grand salami sandwich. Hey, don’t knock it ‘til you try it! Just make sure to bring your breath mints!
From where to live if you want to see the sun, to what you can expect your cost of living to be, this is your one-stop guide to what living in Washington is really like.
