KOA, Port Angeles, WA:  Decided to drive over to Neah Bay and Cape Flattery today.  This is the northwestern most point in the lower 48.  Took the Strait of Juan de Fuca scenic byway which is a beautiful drive that hugs the northern part of the peninsula on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  The marine layer was an issue here and there, but pretty much nice and clear when it counted.  It took two hours to get over there because the road was twisty and turny which made the travel pretty slow.  Checked out Neah Bay and then continued west to Cape Flattery.  There’s a moderately strenuous but beautiful hiking trail to the cape but it’s well worth it for the stunning views. This area is part of the Makah Indian Reservation and is very well maintained.  After our hike we had a late lunch at the Warm House Restaurant in Neah Bay.  I drove back to give Mike a break.  60 today.  Now we’ve been to the northwestern most point in the US at Cape Flattery and Neah Bay; the eastern most point in Quoddy Head in Maine; and the southern most point in Key West, FL.  

Marine layer kept trying to creep in.

Neah Bay.  Marine layer in background partially obscuring the mountains on Vancouver Island.

Cape Flattery--beautiful trail which starts out easy.

Lots of these narrow wooden walkways on the trail.

Beautiful sea caves.

Tatoosh Island--just off Cape Flattery

Tatoosh Island Lighthouse

KOA, Port Angeles, WA:  Mike said there was a marine layer this morning, but by the time I showered, dressed, and ventured outside it had dissipated.  Another beautiful day!  So we drove back to Crescent Lake which we passed on our way to Port Angeles on Rt. 101.  What a beautiful lake!  It’s almost as blue as Crater lake.  And then in shallower areas it looks green or aqua.  Just beautiful!  And surrounded by lofty mountains covered in a lush conifer forest.  Checked out the lodge and decided to have lunch there.  After lunch we explored around the lodge grounds a little and then headed to the hot springs on a road which parallels the Sol Duc river.  Very pretty.  80 today.

Beautiful Crescent Lake

Very fjord-like

Crescent Lake Lodge

Fireplace at the lodge.  The elk was taken in 1902.

On the Sol Duc River.

KOA, Port Angeles, WA:  The sun was actually out pretty early this morning.  And with the absence of all the clouds we noticed we’re in the midst of some really beautiful mountains.  A pretty area with the mountains to the south and the Straits of Juan de Fuca to the north. And across the Straits of Juan de Fuca is beautiful Vancouver Island.  Such a beautiful day, we drove into Olympic National Park.  Much more beautiful than we thought.  Drove way up to the visitor’s center which sits in the rarefied air of an alpine meadow.  Beautiful vistas all around. And there were 3 or 4 deer roaming around trying to nap in the shade of some pines. 68 up on the mountain.  65 down here in the valley.  Came back to our site and sat outside watching the horses munching away in the pasture behind us. 

Had to wait until noon to enter the park because of a cycling event going on.  Got talking to these two guys.  Ralph, on the left, is local.  Per, on the right, is visiting from Sweeden.

The road up there was lined with beautiful wild flowers.

Beautiful vistas.

Deer trying to rest in the shade.

KOA, Port Angeles, WA:  Drove into the little town of Port Angeles today.  Actually, it’s a pretty good sized town.  Drove down to the waterfront and had lunch at a cute little restaurant and then walked around the farmer’s market.  Then drove out to the casino which is east of where we’re staying.  Started out cloudy today.  But by 4:00 the sun made its debut.  68 today.

View out our back window.  We back up to a little pasture with three horses and a pony.  How bucolic.

Hoquiam River RV Park, Hoquiam, WA, to KOA, Port Angeles, WA:  Left Hoquiam this morning at 9:30 and headed north on 101.  After Queets 101 runs right along the coast.  But you can’t see much because the trees go right down to the beach.  Beautiful drive anyway through a beautiful rain forest.  Noticed in the side mirrors I had all manner of conveyances behind me—a log truck, a motor home, several cars, and a dump truck.  And I’m going 55 which is the speed limit.  So I pulled over as soon as it was safe to do so and let everyone get by me.  Stopped in Forks for lunch and then continued on.  More beautiful streams, rain forests and then Cascade Lake which is this jewel sitting at the bottom of steep mountains covered in a thick conifer forest.  101 ran right along this beautiful lake for several miles.  Definitely going back there to check it out more thoroughly.  Drove most of the way under leaden clouds spitting a misty rain.  Got here and were set up by 2:00.  We’re in a “premium” site with a patio and patio furniture.  We’re here for 7 nights.  Made chili for dinner.  Good night for it.  62 out there.

Yesterday late afternoon we decided to go back to Quinault Lake and have dinner at the Salmon House Restaurant.  Great place.  I had salmon with a dill sauce and Mike had a steak.  Really good.  

While having dinner, these three walked out to the lake for a refreshing swim--in their wet suits.  Air temp 64.  Not sure what the water temp was.  Are these people crazy? 

Hoquiam River RV Park, Hoquiam, WA:  Work day today.  Took care of some computer stuff, did the laundry and some cleaning and got ready to leave tomorrow.  On Friday we head up the peninsula to Port Angeles.  We’ll be there for 7 days.  It’s misty and cloudy today.  Low 60s.

Lake Louise--Mt. Rainier National Park

Wild flowers--Mt. Rainier National Park

Hoquiam River RV Park, Hoquiam, WA:  After doing a grocery run we headed north up the coast.  Yesterday we drove inland to Quinault Lake and environs.  Today we stuck to the coastal road.  This was a much prettier drive than we expected.  One beach resort after another all the way up the coast.  The most impressive of these was Ocean Shores.  This rather large community was well laid out—with a four-lane road separated by a large grassy area.  So traffic ran smoothly.  And there was every conceivable restaurant, a hardware store, several grocery stores, a mall, a cinema, a convention center and a huge casino.  You could rent mopeds, four-runners, kayaks, and even horses. Deer were roaming around everywhere.  We drove onto the beach and headed north on the beach for a while.  I’m not a proponent of driving on the beach, but it wasn’t too bad.  The beach was broad and beautiful, but what good is it?  You can’t swim in the ocean, or even lay on the beach.  The temperature was a scant 60.  But of course some do.  Had a late lunch farther up the coast at Mill 109 in Seabrooke, WA. On the way home we stopped at a fruit stand and picked up some more Rainier cherries and some blackberries. Back to our RV park and relaxed the rest of the evening.  I finished a great book, “The Great Train Robbery” by Michael Chrichton.  A great story of a huge train robbery pulled off with great aplomb by a cheeky and ballsy fellow in Victorian England.  And a true story!  Would make a great movie.  Just started “Bridges of Madison County”.  64 today and mostly cloudy. Well, we are in a rain forest after all.

Washington beach near Queets.

Mill 109--great place for lunch.