Page:Washington, A Guide to the Evergreen State.djvu/25

xx Seattle: Canadian Pacific Steamship, Ltd., boats to British Columbia ports; Alaska Steamship Co., Alaska Transportation Co., and Northland Transportation Co., to Alaska. Puget Sound: Black Ball Ferry Lines, Ballard-Ludlow Ferry Co., and Kitsap Transportation Co. connect im- portant ports. Auto ferries and steamers, operating on the inland waters of the State, serve most shore-side towns. Motor Vehicle Laws (digest.): Maximum speed, 50 m.p.h.; on curves and intersections and past schoolhouses and crossings between hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., 15 m.p.h. Nonresident license good for go days. Minimum age for drivers, 16 years. Speed limit through towns usually 25 m.p.h. Uniform signs mark State highways: diamond indicates slow; square, caution; Octagonal, stop; and round, railroad crossing. Hand signals must be used. Spotlights permitted, provided beam is directed to right while on main-traveled routes. Windshield wipers and rear-vision mirrors required. Personal injury or property damage must be reported to local authority within 24 hours. Complete State motor vehicle laws available at all towns and cities. Prohibited: Coasting in neutral; parking on highway or with less than 16 feet clearance from main-traveled road; use of stickers (except cer- tificates required by law); use of sirens; passing to right on highways; passing loading or unloading streetcars except at safety islands. Accommodations: Except in urban centers, accommodations are limited to numerous auto camps; facilities generally good. Provisions and sup- plies available at auto camps on main highways and roads. Accommoda- tions are limited at Mount Rainier from October 15 to June 20, except at Paradise Valley (open all winter). Island resorts on Puget Sound usually closed during winter; accommodations scarce on Olympic Peninsula. Climate and Equipment: In coastal regions, climate is temperate, with heavy seasonal rainfall; in eastern Washington, hot, dry summers and fairly cold winters. Snowfall heavy in mountain areas. Average-weight clothing, including topcoats, is suitable. Special equipment for hunting, fishing, or mountain climbing available locally (see Tours). Some mountain passes closed by snow in midwinter; information available from weather reports and State highway bulletins. Most springs and streams in mountain and forest regions are safe for drinking purposes, but care should be taken in settled and farming areas.