Camping on the Olympic Peninsula

Since we couldn't be home in WV for Thanksgiving, we decided to take a camping trip and explore some more of the Pacific Northwest. We opted to make a big loop around the Olympic Peninsula. We drove to Seattle, where we drove onto the ferry that took us across the Puget Sound from Edmonds to Kingston. Our first stop was going to be Fort Worden State Park, a 19th century military fort, but since the campground was full (!) we stopped instead at Dosewallips State Park in Brinnon. It was fairly cold and misty at this campground right beside the Hood Canal. Of course it was already dark by the time we arrived, so we heated some soup and curled up in the back of the Forester for an early night. The next morning, we paid to take a shower (a crime!) and hit the road towards Port Angeles with gorgeous weather. We were warned that the Olympic Peninsula sees very few clear and sunny days, but we lucked out and got one on Friday.

We drove through Port Angeles, which was fine, but were treated to a fantastic view just between Port Angeles and Forks. At Lake Crescent, the majestic mountains, glassy blue lake, and three bald eagles playing over the water was enough to make us want to relocate (again). The scene was straight from a painting. We didn't get any good close-ups of the eagles, but it was amazing to watch. Half of the lake still had a mist that hadn't evaporated by noon.

We piled back in the car and headed toward the now famous Forks, WA. For anyone not up on their tween fiction, the Twilight series of books and movies about a love triangle between a teenage girl, a vampire, and a werewolf is set in this small Washington town. Judging by the steady stream of cars pulling off the road at the "Welcome to Forks" sign (including us) it is evident that this town is now a major tourist attraction. We had lunch at Sully's, home of the Bella-burger, stepped in both of the Dazzled by Twilight stores, and had ice cream at a local candy store, where I sampled a flavor called "Edward's Hugs & Smooches." If you don't know anything about the Twilight series...none of that made any sense to you. :) Yes, I have read all the books, and yes, I liked them. Aside from the tourist-y stuff, there isn't much to the town of Forks, so we didn't stay long.

We also paid a visit to LaPush - First Beach and Third Beach - on the Quiluete Indian Reservation. Despite the huge logs on the beach, it was actually very beautiful. The sun peeked out for awhile, and Dixie enjoyed her first ever trip to a beach. Just like a kid, she would run away from the waves. The waves looked pretty fun...or maybe dangerous. :)

As it began to get dark outside, we got back in the Subaru and headed on around the peninsula, where we camped at Kalaloch Campground in the Olympic National Forest. Again, rain set in for the entire evening, so we heated some soup and then crawled in our sleeping bags and listened to some of the audio book we got from the library to pass the time while driving. It rained all night, and was pouring still in the morning, so we skipped breakfast at the campground and waited until we found the nearest McDonalds. (which was in Aberdeen, which appeared to be the most depressing town ever...maybe it was just the rain.)

We reached Cape Disappointment, the southwestern most tip of Washington, and our last scheduled destination, around noon. True to it's name, Cape Disappointment was disappointing. Quite possibly the smallest lighthouse I've ever seen. Greg kept trying to explain that the lighthouse didn't need to be tall since it was on such a high bluff...but still! The rain was still coming down, Greg was wearing down from having to do all the driving, and I was still not feeling up to par, so rather than trying to find some way to fill up the whole day, we decided to head home a little early so that we could recover before heading back to work/school on Monday. It was a great trip, and I hope we get to see more of the beautiful Pacific Northwest in the springtime! As always... here are a bunch of pictures!

Eating chicken and rice soup, staying dry with Dixie.

Leaving Dosewallips State Park

Camp chef.

No campfire during the whole trip!! :( This is me trying to roast a marshmallow over the candle latern, inside the Subaru. Some things are just important!!

PUGET SOUND FERRY

We waited for close to an hour to drive onto the ferry. The ride was about 30 minutes.

Looking back at Edmonds across the Puget Sound.

CRESCENT LAKE, WA (between Port Angeles and Forks)

Bald eagle


3 bald eagles!



The fog on one side of the lake... at noon.


FORKS, WA


Eating at Sully's, home of the Bella Burger.

Eating "Edward's Hugs & Smooches" Ice Cream. :)

LA PUSH, First & Third Beaches (of Twilight fame!)




She loved the beach! And was thrilled to get out of the car for awhile.

Hiking out to Third Beach.


CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT

Teeniest lighthouse ever! But still a cool view.