On a recent week off we visited the Olympic Peninsula. Monday morning we headed out the scenic route. Starting through nearby Trout Lake for some huckleberry rolls at the cafe. NF-23 is 67 miles north to Randle. All but 11 miles were paved but some of that was frost heaved worse than the washboard gravel from lil' yeti's perspective. A couple cabinet doors were opened and their contents strewn all over inside. But nothing messy or broken, fortunately.
At Randle we found an IGA with lunch fixin's. Then US-12 west to Marys Corner, and I-5 north to Tumwater (near Olympia). US-101 north lead to Seal Rock CG (Olympic NF) in Quilcene for the night. It's near Dabob Bay on Hood Canal which connects with Puget Sound. The beach was surprisingly rocky with the unsurprising aroma of low tide.
That or overflowing dumpsters from weekend visitors. But a timely trash truck emptied them during our after dinner walk, which was a mixed blessing.
Tuesday we continued up 101 (aka, Pacific Coast Highway) to Port Angeles and Olympic National Park. Nice visitor center. Helpful staff. Good orientation film. Excellent displays.
There was a roadwork delay getting to the entrance station. But with some patience we reached Heart O' the Hills CG (Olympic NP) for the night. We arrived mid day and found a site to make lunch and leave the Scamp. Then drove up Hurricane Ridge - very scenic. As if on queue a deer even posed for us alongside the road.
The campground had some cool trees rooted over large boulders. Of course it seemed only proper to invite the mosquitos to a campfire. So it was a lovely evening after all.
Wednesday we decamped and followed the harbor coast to the northwestmost point in WA. Getting to Cape Flattery Lighthouse required first purchasing a parking pass (good for a whole year!) from the Makah Nation. Then you get to walk an interesting trail with beautiful vistas.
The trail isn't long. Well under a mile. It ends at the coast.
The lighthouse sits on an island a half mile further out.
Afterwards we headed down the west coast to Mora CG (Olympic NP) for the night. But we arrived before dinner time. So after parking lil' yeti we drove the mile or so out the Rialto Beach to see the Pacific Ocean. The two most striking features were rocks instead of sand, and driftwood.
Lots of really large drift wood. Whole trees. And big ones at that.
Thursday before breakfast we took coffee to the beach and explored a bit more. It was chilly and misty but others were out early too.
Interesting things had washed ashore overnight. Such as kelp.
And rock art.
Continuing south on 101 we took an excursion back east to another special part of Olympic NP - the Hoh Rain Forest. It certainly was lush.
We learned about nurse trees.
Blackberries were ripening.
Huckleberries bloomed both bright red and dark purple.
We weren't comfortable sampling them. Not for fear of poisoning. It's expressly prohibited in a National Park. Not that rules apply to everyone. LOL
That night we aimed for Willaby CG (Olympic NF). We arrived kinda late to find a "campground full" sign. So we proceeded another mile east to Falls Creek CG. The camphost there said they too were full. But then he informed us that Willaby actually has a little known overflow camping area. With specific directions we returned to claim a parking space for the night in the day use area by the boat launch. Lake Quinault was peaceful at least.
Friday morning we awoke beside other overflowers.
The lake sure was purdy.
Contintuing south on 101 to Aberdeen we crossed the Chahalis River then took 105 west to Westport. We were a couple hours too early to tour Grays Harbor Lighthouse.
So we tooled on down to Vancouver to stock up on groceries. Plus a couple thrift stores. Then returned to Conboy Lake NWR. Whew. After busy weeks off like that it's good to go back to work and rest up. LOL
