From Rainforest to Ocean
Watching the clouds roll in
Two of Nick’s friends from his previous office in Chicago came to visit. They had the whole weekend scheduled including the drive, stops along the way, the hike, and time slots for each. We power-walked 10 miles through the Hoh Rainforest in Olympic National Park, and camped on the Coast at Second Beach. We ate Polish sausage (Keilbasa) and Safeway potatoes. It was not a schedule or diet we are used to by any means, but it was nice to experience a different pace. We typically take our time, look around, eat Mountain House meals, and have a loose agenda.
The Gang – minus Angelina
After departing Saturday morning at 5 am, we stopped in Port Angeles for breakfast at First Street Haven. Ask about their baked breakfast goods – delicious!
We stopped in Forks for some last minute grocery items and firewood. This is the town that Twilight was filmed for all you twi-hards. We did not run into Edward Cullen.
Searching for vampires
I think the rainforest was such a quick sweep that we may have missed out on seeing more of it. However, we saw plenty of wildlife at the beach. We saw a piece of driftwood that looked an awful-lot like a seal…after walking up closer to it we realized it was. We saw tons of clams, sea urchins, and even starfish! Starfish are not fish, and actually belong to the group of marine invertebrates which also include sea cucumber, sea urchin and sand dollar. They have no brain and no blood, but can weigh up to 11 pounds!
Holdin’ hands
Sunday morning we walked the beach before packing up and heading back to Forks. We stopped at a restaurant called, The Restaurant, for brunch. Before heading back to the city we took a 17 mile drive, each way, up to 5,242 ft to get to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park outside of Port Angeles. It’s a beautiful windy and well maintained road that you would expect when driving to a main destination in a National Park. From the visitor center on a clear day you have international views and can see all the way to Victoria and peaks of Whistler, definitely a must see with how easily accessible it is! On our way back we took the Bainbridge Island Ferry back into town! It was about a 35 min ride, and a fun way to get back into the city!
Ferrying from Bainbridge to Elliot’s Bay
We’re entering the rainy season so if you have any wet season recommendations send them our way! Until next time!
This is awesome. What a fantastic life you two are having. There’s no way in my youth, that I would have had the energy or freedom to do what you are sharing. Plus I would have been scared to death in the woods or mountains. Good pictures and narration Nick. Enjoy every day to the fullest. Love you both.
Thanks, but this one was written by Angelina! And that’s what we want to be able to do – help others experience what we are fortunate enough to!