What constitutes an idyllic and pleasurable picnic site? Panoramic views, water access, serene forest trails certainly enhance any experience. Within Puget Sound, these amenities are consistent features amongst the parks, beaches and green spaces profiled. Identifying and detailing every treasured destination within the region becomes impossible due to their sheer numbers. Many of the 56 guide selections are well-known and already popular destinations. Others may appear quirky; yet still possess a distinct charm. The goal of this guide is to offer a diverse selection of choice and enticing discoveries. Tranquility may sometimes be compromised due to popularity and the volatile winter Pacific Northwest climate. Your exploration with fresh destinations adds to your existing preferences and will doubtlessly encourage return visits. This guide is ideal for tourists, visiting guests and even local residents who thought they already knew every desirable attraction within Puget Sound. There is always something new to discover. SEATTLE:Alki Beach, Gas Works Park, Olympic Sculpture Park, Oxbow Park, Washington Park Trestle Bridge, Denny Blaine Park, Discovery Park, Golden Gardens Park, Green Lake Park, Jimi Hendrix Park, Jimi Hendrix Park, Leschi Park, Louisa Boren Park, Hamilton Viewpoint Park, Lincoln Park, Madison Park, Madrona Park, Magnolia Park, Ravenna and Cowen Parks, Roanoke Park, Viretta Park, Seattle Center, Volunteer Park and Washington Park WESTERN PUGET SOUNDBlakely Harbor Park, Sacred Stone Labyrinth and Prayer Wheel, Point No Point Beach, Port Townsend, Poulsbo, Sequim, Silverdale Waterfront Park, Manchester State Park, Battle Point Park, Buck Lake Park, Fay Bainbridge Park, Hawley Cove Park, Manchester Beach, Olalla Bay Landing, Port Gamble, Scenic Beach State Park and Seabeck Landing SOUTHERN PUGET SOUNDChambers Bay Walk, Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve, Annie Wright Park, Austin Park Estuary, Dash Point State Park, Gateway Park, Job Carr Museum and Park, Melanie Jan LaPlant Dressel Park, Roegner Park and Titlow Preserve, Beach and Park. EASTERN PUGET SOUNDBellevue Downtown Park, Medina Park, Snoqualmie Falls, Wilburton Hill Park and Woodridge Water Tower Park NORTHERN PUGET SOUNDRichmond Beach Saltwater Park Visual Artist, Writer and Photographer Marques Vickers is a California native presently living in the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle, Washington regions.He was born in 1957 and raised in Vallejo, California. He is a 1979 Business Administration graduate from Azusa Pacific University in the Los Angeles area. Following graduation, he became the Public Relations and ultimately Executive Director of the Burbank Chamber of Commerce between 1979-84. He subsequently became the Vice President of Sales for AsTRA Tours and Travel in Westwood between 1984-86.Following a one-year residence in Dijon, France where he studied at the University of Bourgogne, he began Marquis Enterprises in 1987. His company operations have included sports apparel exporting, travel and tour operations, wine brokering, publishing, rare book and collectibles reselling. He has established numerous e-commerce, barter exchange and art websites including MarquesV.com, ArtsInAmerica.com, InsiderSeriesBooks.com, DiscountVintages.com and WineScalper.com.Between 2005-2009, he relocated to the Languedoc region of southern France. He concentrated on his painting and sculptural work while restoring two 19th century stone village residences. His figurative painting, photography and sculptural works have been sold and exhibited internationally since 1986. He re-established his Pacific Coast residence in 2009 and has focused his creative productivity on writing and photography.His published works span a diverse variety of subjects including true crime, international travel, California wines, architecture, history, Southern France, Pacific Coast attractions, fiction, auctions, fine art marketing, poetry, fiction and photojournalism.He has two daughter
