Your were born in Baltimore and moved here three years ago would be my guess. Famous debate refusers come from Baltimore.

Except Leavenworth is an architectural and cultural "cutesy" shit hole invented by the Chamber of Commerce 50 years ago and Skykomish is areal mountain/railroad town.

Many military families maintain residence in tax advantaged states like Washington with no state income tax. Did your folks do that? Other six months in Washington State. Are you sure the UW will take you?

You owe a "use tax" not a sales tax but the rate is based on vehicle value.

Swimming to Vashon is easiest (but not easy) from the West side on a good tide with an exposures suit. There is a grass air strip. One resident commuted by helicopter for a while. Everybody else uses a car/passenger ferry from north or south end of the island for a 15 minute ride. Quartermaster is the best secure anchorage and only developed marina. Lots of residences but little "suburban sprawl" or housing subdivisions making Vashon one of King County's nicest suburbs with easy availability to both downtown Seattle and Tacoma as well as South Kitsap County. Goggle displays the island and Puget Sound Metro Area well.

Take US 2 not I 90. Waterville, Coulee City, Davenport, Libby, Kalispell.

Eight and a half hrs.of daylight. Lazy breakfast in Index town. Stroll along the river and over to the Town Wall to play. Drive to Skykomish for early dinner maybe. Back to cabin, build a fire and relax.

Up 1/101 and down 395.

Natural you should feel penalized as the contract you signed stated that you would be for contract violation. Your landlord can not prevent your moving nor force you to pay money without taking civil action. That you "feel forced" to break a lease to take advantage of a better job opportunity rather than making a free choice to do so seems a bit distorted.