Where you live

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Phyrie, you are on Lynner's map! You live in one of the most beautiful places on the entire North American Continent, in my opinion.

I think the maps help everyone gain some perspective on how close and how far we are.

Tracy, if you could do that, I know it would improve my Geographic knowledge of Europe, and England. It's great having a scale included as well, so that we can judge the distances. I think I am almost in the middle of you and Phyrie. Perhaps I should be a bit further east, but perhaps not as far as Amy, in Nova Scotia.

On an ironic note, I disliked Geography intensely at school and yet I love maps and learning about different cultures. It was the soil contents and the cloud formations that didn't really hold my interest when I was younger. I am more open minded now.

[Deerie me]

Yay, I did it I think

[Deerie me]

I'm not sure how well you'll see this one



Lynton in Devon is about 200 miles from London and approximately 500miles from Paris over in France.

It's about a 4 hour drive to where I used to be in Leicestershire, where Libby and my mum are currently.

[Sadie G]

Those maps help a lot Tracy! Is Scotland actually a part of England and it is all called the United Kingdom? (Its been a few , ok more than a few years since geography in school!)

I work with cities and counties all over the US and I always knew a lot of them were named after areas in England, but until I saw the map I didn't realize how many were!

I'm pretty sure the other Chandra, (Beach_Angel) lives in Washington State. That makes another west coast person!

Phyrie, I knew you were on the west coast of Canada, but for some reason I thought you were more in the northern part. I didn't realize how close you were to the states!

[Deerie me]

England is a country which along with Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland makes up The United Kingdom Of Great Britain And Northern Ireland to give us our full title. Hence all the names ie England, UK, Britain, United Kingdom. The united Kingdom has one government based in London (and one Monarchy) but Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own parliaments which make decisions directly affecting them. A bit like individual States making their own decisions but being governed overall by the US government. Southern Ireland is completely separate even having a different currency. They use the Euro like a lot of Europe.

[Madi P]

I feel like I am back in high school - ha - very interesting Tracy! Its nice to see where you & Paws are in relation to where you used to live and where all the rest of us are. Im gonna print your map off as well - wish I had a wall to tack them to, for now they are stuck in my journal.
I cant believe these maps are just now showing up and yall didnt do them sooner.

[Deerie me]

I didn't do a map sooner because I didn't know how the heck to do it. I needed a bit of time to think about it. I'm technologically challenged.

Sorry if it was a bit school teacher-ish. I didn't want to insult anyone's intelligence but I don't know how much you all know about Europe as it's so far away from you.

[Sadie G]

Tracy your answer is perfect. If I ask a question I like an answer that gives me all of the facts and thats exactly what your answer did. Now the United Kingdom makes sense to me, I never understood why there were so many names. I appreciate your answer

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Tracy, thanks for the maps. They help all of us put it into perspective. Thank you for including Europe as well. With the news of the world these days, everyone can actually see where Cairo is in relation to England the rest of Europe as well as the Middle East.

Yay you for figuring out how to pinpoint places on the map as well. I was in touch with the Passport Office today! Be afraid darling, be very afraid.

[beach_angel05]

I'm feeling pretty lonely out here!

I'm in Seattle Phyrie! So I guess not too far

By the way that is a wonderful map RJM!

[beach_angel05]

Was looking through this thread and thought it was time I represented Seattle on here, so here it goes!

As mentioned above, I live in Seattle, Washington which is referred to as being located in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle was named after Chief Sealth "Seattle" of the Duwamish and Suquamish native tribes. Remembering my history from school, the Denny Party was a group of white settlers who are also credited for founding Seattle because the settled in an area called Alki Point. They were plagued with many setbacks and horrible events - illness, battling native americans, etc. The family followed the trail from Indiana to Portland along the Oregon Trail.

Here are some other interesting facts:
-The 2010 census found that Seattle is home to 630,320 residents within a metropolitan area of some 3.4 million inhabitants
-The Port of Seattle and Seattle–Tacoma International Airport are major gateways to Asia, Alaska, and the rest of the world
-From 1869 until 1982, Seattle was known as the "Queen City".
-Seattle's current official nickname is the "Emerald City", the result of a contest held in 1981; the reference is to the lush evergreen forests of the area.
-Seattle is also referred to informally as the "Gateway to Alaska", "Rain City",and "Jet City", the last from the local influence of Boeing.
-The Smith Tower was the tallest building on the West Coast from its completion in 1914 until the Space Needle overtook it in 1962
-The fairgrounds surrounding the Space Needle have been converted into Seattle Center, which remains the site of many local civic and cultural events, such as Bumbershoot, Folklife, and the Bite of Seattle. Seattle Center plays multiple roles in the city, ranging from a public fair ground to a civic center
-Seattle residents are known as Seattleites

Beautiful photo I took at Kerry Park on Queen Anne Hill in Seattle

Music/Film
Seattle is known as the birthplace of rock, producing such artists as Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Alice In Chains and Pearl Jam. As for more recent times, we're big on inde rock and hip hop. Other artists that are from here are Dave Matthews Band, Lifehouse, Sir Mix-a-Lot (lol "baby got back!"), Foo Fighters, Harvey Danger, Nikki Sixx, Kenny G, The Presidents of the United States of America, The Wailers and Death Cab For Cutie to name a few!

Seattle built a music tribute building called the EMP (Experienced Music Project) that

is dedicated to the exploration of creativity and innovation in popular music. By blending interpretative, interactive exhibitions with cutting-edge technology, EMP captures and reflects the essence of rock 'n' roll, its roots in jazz, soul, gospel, country and the blues, as well as rock's influence on hip-hop, punk and other recent genres. Visitors can view rare artifacts and memorabilia and experience the creative process by listening to musicians tell their own stories. - http://www.empsfm.org

EMP - supposed to be a smashed guitar...Seattleites are still trying to figure it out lol (not my pic)


As far as films go, I'm sure a majority of you have seen 'Sleepless In Seattle' (1993), which was filmed here and it's locations are often some of the highlights on tourist's lists when they come to visit. Some other films and TV shows that have been filmed here in Washington State and Seattle are:
'An Officer and A Gentlemen' (1982), 'Black Widow' (1986), 'The Hunt For Red October' (1990), 'Die Hard 2' (1990), 'The Hand That Rocks The Cradle' (1992), 'Practical Magic' (1998), 'Snow Falling on Ceders' (1999), '10 Things I Hate About You' (1999), 'Rockstar' (2001), 'Enough' (2002), 'Life Or Something Like It' (2002), 'Battle In Seattle' (2007), 'Twilight' (2008), 'Twin Peaks' (1989 or 90) - TV, 'MTV The Real World: Seattle' (1998), 'Northern Exposure' (1990 - ?), 'Almost Live! (1984 - 199? - A local version of Saturday Night Live), and many many many more.

Sightseeing
Besides the Space Needle and the EMP, The Henry Art Museum, Museum of Glass, Seattle Aquarium, Pike Place Market, Seattle Art Museum, Woodland Park Zoo, Greenlake, The San Juan Islands and the Museum of Flight are all popular tourist and local spots to visit. Qwest Field - home to the Seattle Sounders (whoo hoo!) and the Seattle Seahawks and Safeco Field - home to the Seattle Mariners are major sporting events that draw tons of attention locally and internationally. We also have the Seattle Storm (women's basketball) and we used to have the Seattle SuperSonics but they have since relocated to another city and state. Kerry Park up on Queen Anne Hill is another famous sightseeing spot (first picture in the post). The film '10 Things...' was filmed there as well and one of my favorite places to go sit and enjoy a cup of coffee with my friends The Seattle Underground Tour and the Ride the Ducks tour are also two VERY popular guided tours not only for tourists but locals as well. They really give you an idea of the history of Seattle and how it has developed throughout the years. I highly recommend both of them!

Since Seattle is a port city, Cruise lines that port in Seattle bring in a lot of revenue for the city. We are also known for our love of fresh market seafood which you can get a taste of basically anywhere - especially at the Pike Place Market! This is the famous fish stand where when you order a fish, they toss it thru the air yelling to one another - it's quite a spectacle. People come from all around the world to watch the fish get tossed - here's a youtube video that really shows what I'm talking about http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7tORf-DEyM

Photo I took at the Pike Place Market


As you may have heard, Seattleites are also known for their coffee consumption! I have to say, I am one of them. I'm all for Starbucks From the 1990s to the 2000s, Starbucks was opening a new store EVERY WORKDAY! Howard Schultz, the CEO of Starbucks even has his own Starbucks that was built to his specifics that he frequents. One of my friends used to work there and it always had to be a certain temperature, smell a certain way upon entry and the baristas had to be right on their game. I don't think I could handle having to serve him. My cousin's wife works at Starbucks headquarters and it sounds like he's quite a piece of work!
Starbucks logos throughout the years (not my pics):


Regarding pets, Seattle and Washington in general are very pet friendly. With an abundant about of dog parks, hotels, spas, etc., Seattle has tons of books and guides for pet lovers traveling to the area. One popular book is "The Dog Lovers Companion To The Pacific Northwest: The Inside Scoop On Where To Take Your Dog" by Val Mallinson as well as his other book "The Dog Lovers Companion To Seattle".

Sorry I got a little carried away with the info! I love telling people about Seattle and all it has to offer. If you have any other questions let me know. Enjoy!

[RubyJeansMom]

By the way that is a wonderful map RJM!

Thanks Chandra!
I've edited my original map post to include all the members I've missed.

[beach_angel05]

Oh good! Thanks RJM It's nice to be able to see where we all live!

[Avery&Kristen]

This is a very fun thread! I had no idea of the vast array of places from which the DPers originate.

As no one has mentioned Kentucky yet, it is the state in which I live, and have always lived. We have four seasons; winters are very cold, summers are very hot. We have a varied array of natural attractions, including Mammoth Cave National Park and another, smaller cave system in the eastern part of the state, Carter Caves, not to mention Cumberland Falls - home of the last remaining 'moon bow' - and the Natural Bridge. There are many more; the scenery and wildlife are fantastic.

Basketball is a state tradition; the University of Kentucky has more NCAA Championships than any other school; if you grow up here, you are a college basketball fan, almost unequivocally.

Of course, horses are a big deal. If nothing else, the state is known for the Kentucky Derby.

The view from the back porch where I grew up:

[AnnaCS]

I live south of San Francisco, CA in the Silicon Valley. So, we're known for Apple, IBM, Intel, Hewlett-Packard, etc. in terms of industry. Our area without traveling too far is also known for great beaches and redwood forests. I have lived here all of my life, growing up only 15 miles from the house I live in now. My kids attend school in the same district my husband did, so he is close to home too.