Tourists in the NW and Olympic Peninsula

We have been busy touring during the month of August.  After a one last time run to Costco and Fred Meyer in Warrenton on the bike for supplies on Aug 2 we left Seaside on Aug 4 heading to Forks, WA.  It was a nice trip and when we arrived at Forks we decided to take out just the bike since there was not enough room behind us to get the car out of the trailer.  Friday Aug 5 we rode the bike to Hoh Rain Forest and it was a wonderful ride! 

Larry at Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center

Big tree that fell in the Hoh Rain forest a long time ago

Us at the Visitor Center at Hoh Rain Forest

Restaurant called River's Edge in La Push, WA

Our view from the restaurant where we watched the river otters playing

We then went to La Push right on the ocean and ended up eating at River’s Edge with a window seat so we could watch the river otter’s playing.  What fun!

God was good to us on Sunday as it rained while we were in church and stopped so we could go to the South North Chinese restaurant.  It rained again while we were eating but stopped so we could ride the mile 'home' and then rained again in the afternoon after we returned home so we really didn’t get wet at all.  (We had taken rags to wipe the seats 'just in case'.)

We rode the bike to Cape Flattery and Neah Bay, again a lovely ride that started out looking threatening but the sun came out about five minutes after we left.  We hiked out to the point to see the lighthouse and that about killed us!  It is only a 1/2 mile hike but it’s down all the way there which means it’s UP all the way back!  After a day of rest we went to see Sol Duc Falls and the hike was more level and well worth the hike.  The ride was great too!

Rialto Beach near Cape Flattery, WA

Cape Flattery, WA the farthest NW point  of the continental US

Lighthouse on an island at Cape Flattery

Sol Duc Falls, Olympic National Park

On Aug 12 we moved on to Port Angeles only to find our reserved pull thru site had been given away and  we had to unhook the trailer.  They did give us a discount.  That was the night of the Perseid meteor shower and I had two come right at me so I ducked!  Pretty awesome since they came one right after the other.  We went to Port Angeles and watched folks crabbing on the public dock by the ferry.  We also went to Hurricane Ridge and it was a beautiful day where Mt Baker could be seen in the distance. 

Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

Deer on Hurricane Ridge

Mt Baker in the distance as we came down Hurricane Ridge

Sequim Bay, WA

We went to Diamond Point and Sequim Bay and learned we could have stayed at the ROD park there under our CM membership.  It in a much quieter park with better views so live and learn!  Next time we will know!  On one of my nightly walks I found a decorated tree along the path which made me smile and reminded me of the tree north of Sunset Point along I-17 in AZ that has mysteriously been decorated for the last 30 years or so with yellow ribbons, flags and Christmas ornaments depending on the time of year. 

Tree I found on my walk one evening in Port Angeles, WA

Decorated tree on I-17 near Sunset Point, AZ

One bad thing happened one night while I was walking and I got bit by a dog.  The owner was not very nice and told me I should have stayed at the RV park.  I did find out the dog had had its shots so I will live.

Dog bite on the back of my left leg

When we arrived at Elma, WA we were surprised to see our friends Margaret and David.  We were able to see them three times before they left on Monday.  We have enjoyed the Saturday night meals at Elma as well as the ice cream socials.  We have met some nice folks and are enjoying all the upgrades to this park since we were here last 10 years ago.  We took a ride to Gray’s Harbor, Ocean Shores, Ocean City and Pacific Beach checking out the old sonar naval base, seeing the kites flying on the beach and Larry doing 'donuts' in the sand on the beach.  We also checked out some lumber mills in Aberdeen (no tours though as we asked) and drove to Satsop to see the abandoned nuclear power station that never went 'on line'.

Larry 'touching' the Pacific Ocean

Kites on the beach

Satsop cooling tower, Elma, WA

Unfinished reactor at Satsop, Elma, WA

In Aberdeen, WA at a lumber mill

For our 56th anniversary on the 30th we had lunch at Top Wok Chinese restaurant in Elma since on Sunday we went to the potluck at the church and then took a ride to McCleary.

For Larry's birthday we had a late breakfast at the Rusty Tractor.  What a fun place that reminded me of my grandmother's farm in IL and gathering eggs from under the hens!

Rusty Tractor restaurant in Elma, WA 'hen house'