This year's trip to Washington revolved around four days and four nights in Olympic National Park, in the upper left corner of the state. Always on the search for new ground and new sights, this one has been on our list for a while. Although the Visitor Centers and Interpretive experience was lacking in comparison to many other similar-sized parks we have been to, we tried not to let that and the rainy weather get us down. It is, after all, a massive park, so there was a lot to do!
The park had an abundance of picturesque water falls and dense mossy forests to explore which we were really looking forward to since we live in the desert.
In the Quinault Rain Forest, where average rainfall is twelve feet, we saw the world's largest Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir. We also happened upon the world's cutest owl! This Northern Pygmy was separated from its parents and was calling to them across the trees as we stopped and observed in whispers for a long time. He was so small and so beautiful.
But trees and trails aren't all; this park stretches it's arms all the way to the seaside where miles of beaches form the border to the Pacific Ocean. We watched incredible sunsets, saw whales jumping in the distance, and took peaceful moonlit walks after dark along the waters.
While there I became an "Ocean Steward," which is the equivalent of a Junior Ranger. To complete my book we walked out to the tide pools south of La Push, WA where we dodged jellyfish on the sand and searched for starfish under the watch of three Bald Eagles above.
We stayed in the Kalaloch Campground because it is the only campground in the park which takes reservations. As we would not be arriving until late afternoon Thursday, we thought it best not to take our chances so we booked our spot many months in advance. Unfortunately by the time our trip came around, Mom and Dad's van was in the shop getting work done, so they had to rough it with us in tents. This was especially problematic without an EZup to shield us when cooking in the rain, but Brian and Dad rigged up a tarp so we could have some kind of shelter for our nightly happy hours! The campground is very family friendly and just a short walk to the beach, which we loved. Dad drove us around everywhere and Mom did great even when we had to eat lunch standing up under the awning of a nearby kiosk. There was wine, so when there's wine, there's happiness.
Cheers!
