Olympic Peninsula



I know we look like dorks, but we were DRY dorks (Hoh Rainforest)

On our journey we had the opportunity to explore the Olympic Peninsula like we never thought we would.   We have seen wonderful beaches, stunning rainforest and the vastness of the mountain system here.  It truly is three parks in one, just like my students presented in their National Park projects. 

In our travels around Forks, WA (I know I know, vampires, werewolves, etc. but can't help it, love that stuff) we went out to the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park.  Could just picture the werewolves roaming these woods.  We finally left the Forks area and traveled down towards Port Angeles for a few days of exploring in that area (drove 58 whole miles that day).   We went up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic, drove the Juan de Fuca scenic byway and then out to Dungeness Spit Wildlife Refuge.   

After exploring Port Angeles we drove to Port Townsend and caught our first ferry (what a huge thing compared to our little Galveston Ferry) that took us across Puget Sound and over to Whidbey Island.  We will travel from here up towards Bellingham and finally cross over into Canada at Sumas.   We need to be in Prince Rupert by the 10th and this gives us plenty of exploring time.


Hall of Mosses in Hoh Rainforest

Werewolf country



Juan De Fuca Scenic Highway

Beachcombing along Juan De Fuca Hwy






The drive up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park was an experience.  You start up the mountain in the fog and the rain (temp was in the 40's), then keep going up and up.   By the time we got to the visitors center at the top it was 28 degrees and the sun was out above the cloud bank.   The view was breathtaking. 


Stunning view from drive up to Hurricane Ridge



So much snow

View from Hurricane Ridge

At the summit of Hurricane Ridge near the visitor's center

Exploring this wonderful National Park was well worth the drive (rather out of the way, but what's a few more miles). 

After exploring Olympic we drove out to Dungeness Spit near Port Angeles.   It was supposed to be an area with a lot of birdlife, but we saw a sparrow, a raven and I think an eagle.   It was a beautiful place though.  You could walk out to the lighthouse at the end of the spit, but it was a 5 mile hike (one way) and the tide was in.  So that would have been rather difficult.

Dungeness Spit (Victoria Island, BC in the background)

Driftwood was awesome and yes, it was cold

Thank goodness for the auto setting on our camera (Dungeness Spit)

The ferry system in Washington is something.   There are ferrys that take you between islands all over the place.   We got our first experience today and it was just that, an experience.   We loaded on board the ferry along with huge 18 wheelers and lots of other cars.   There are lounges on board to view the trip in comfort and even a restaurant on board.   This trip only took about 30 minutes, but saved us hours in travel time.

Ferry coming into Port Townsend landing

Our first ferry experience across Puget Sound

The journey continues (of course) and I will try to update as I can.  Probably won't be able to while we are driving up through Canada.  Don't know if we will have any wifi service available.  Might not be able to update until we get to our first ferry stop in Alaska (Ketchikan).   Love to hear from you so keep comments coming and emails.