^ Bellevue's Skyline

The Pacific Northwest is characterized by vast remote forests, rugged coastlines, foggy mountains, and dense wilderness. The modern Bellevue skyline peeks through its expansive nature, moments away from grandiose National Parks and evergreen wilderness that foster stories of undiscovered creatures. It's the perfect setting for spooky classics like Mark Frost and David Lynch's Twin Peaks, which you can relive through a little road trip just east of here. Passed down through oral history from the region's rich Indigenous communities, lore of local legends like Sasquatch or more modern stories like the Tree Octopus endure in the fertile northwest. If you're hunting for bigfoot or the Tree Octopus, here's where you'll find it. 

Where to find Sasquatch or Bigfoot

Legend has it, Sasquatch and Bigfoot are these large, hairy, and human-like creatures that live in the wilderness. Indigenous tribes across North America have passed down the folklore as a way to teach moral lessons, and newspapers began reporting on it as early as the 1800s. Is it real? As real as our imagination would lead us to believe. It's lore we love to celebrate. Find him at Mirra, where he's DJing and playing host to your VR adventure on the biggest LED screen on the Eastside. Step into the local craft beverage mini-chain, BigFoot Java in Issaquah, where you'll find everything from handcrafted hot caramel apple and Italian cream soda to Bigfoot on the Beach smoothies and Sasquatch Tracks frostbites. If you're there, it's a great opportunity to say hello to Jakob Two Trees, a Northwest Troll that lives in Issaquah. And if you're in Bellevue for an extended trip for business or pleasure, consider trying the six-week challenge at Sasquatch Strength & Nutrition, a local gym mini-chain that helps get you in Sasquatch shape in a totally approachable way. 

Where to find the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus

The tree octopus was first spotted in 1998, known to inhabit the rainforests of the Olympic Peninsula about 2 hours west of Bellevue. A creature known to dwell in both water and in trees, the Tree Octopus is the product of internet satirist Lyle Zapato, who built the Tree Octopus website to humorously parody the gullibility of our society and culture of misinformation. Every few years, it's a lore that gets revived and funnels keyword searches from a new generation of future critical thinkers. While there really is no where you can find the Tree Octopus, you can visit the bronze Octopus statue at Bellevue's 555 Tower. Named "Stricken, 'Arboculus Pomollusca Rex'," the octopus is the creation of Rik and Shelley Muzylowski Allen and stands at a regal 22 feet long and 17 feet high. The lore behind this octopus is that Rik and Shelley, a married artist couple, created the sculpture using natural prunings found near and around their property. It has a steampunk flavor blended into the Pacific Northwest's celebration of nature.

Explore the wilderness around Bellevue

Bellevue's surrounding wilderness provides countless opportunities to immerse yourself in nature's mystique. Fly through the trees at Bellevue Adventures, take a guided tour of the wild northwest, and embrace the thrill of discovery while carving the forests on a mountain bike. Whether or not you encounter Sasquatch or an elusive Tree Octopus, your explorations in and around Bellevue will undoubtedly weave your own stories into the rich tapestry of Pacific Northwest lore.