When Mark and I were “done” with Vancouver Island in Canada, the beginning of October, we faced a dilemma: taking the ferry through the San Juan Islands and visit Seattle, or hop on the older alternative and discover the Olympic Peninsula. Since you read the title of this blog post, you know what we decided.
The Olympic Peninsula is a relatively large, remote and “forgotten” appendix in the Northwest of the state Washington. It’s well-known for its rain, rainforest, lush surroundings, and more rain. So, we knew what to expect, when we took Zesty for a spin through this fertile and moss-covered region. The highlight of the area is Olympic National Park, for which our annual national park pass came in handy again. There is a big circular route around this huge wilderness playground, but since we were heading south, we had to choose between the east or the west side. The western road offered more access roads into the park, but the eastern route offered a detour to Port Townsend, a town we’d heard nice things about. We doubted ever coming back this way, so found a solution.
Port Townsend
We drove to the northeastern tippy tip of the peninsula one day, and managed to find a free place to camp that night. This allowed us to stroll around pretty, historic and quiet Port Townsend, and go for a walk in Fort Worden State Park, before returning to Port Angeles and starting our half-loop southwest.
Olympic National Park
This national park is pretty big, taking up most of the peninsula. We tried to use the forecast to our advantage when planning our route west and south. But, even one day of sunshine is a treat in this area. We opted for a scenic drive with many viewpoints on our lucky day, saving the rainforests and (short) hikes for a rainy day. Here are some photos of our multiple-day visit to the park. As always, to read the photo captions, hover your mouse over the images, tap them once, or click to make them larger.
Hurricane Ridge
Elwha River Area
Hoh Rainforest
Ruby Beach
After these days of dreary, chilly weather, we kept heading south at a way too slow pace. Once we entered Oregon, an Indian Summer brought back the sun and blue skies. For our next destination, we would take full advantage of these conditions!
Note: I’m slowly catching up on blogs about our RVing lifestyle, which started the end of July. Our current location can be found in the right column of this website.
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November 15, 2018 at 14:01
Liesbet, there is a Ruby Bay between Mapua and the Able Tasman, in the South Island, NZ. The one is America is just as picturesque. I love walking through rainforests, fascinating places and one place where getting wet is not a concern. Looks like you are having a fab time. Keep heading to the warmth 🙂
November 16, 2018 at 18:52
We might have seen your Ruby Beach when we were in the South Island a few years ago, Suzanne. But I don’t remember. Pretty cool to have two of them at opposite ends of the world. Then again, maybe there are many beaches called “Ruby Beach”. These days on the road, Mark and I are often saying to each other, “I wonder how many Inspiration Points there are in the world, or even in this country. Or, Sunset Coves or…” 🙂
I agree with your getting wet remark. When one plans a hike in a rainforest, it is bound to be wet. So much better to expect walking in the rain than being surprised by it. These days, we are back in a very dry part of the world: Southern California. Trying to stay away from smoke and fires…
November 15, 2018 at 14:04
I love hiking and outdoorsy places like this, although not so much the rain. The pictures of the Hoh Rainforest are gorgeous..in fact all your pictures are beautiful. I think your choice to visit the Olympic Peninsula was a great one????
November 16, 2018 at 18:54
Thanks, Gilda. The Olympic Peninsula is a special, magical place, that doesn’t compare to many other places in the world. We saw rainforests on Vancouver Island, but they are different. And so are the cloud forests in Costa Rica. I guess some areas in the rainforest of New Zealand’s South Island come closest to it. Hobbit territory. 🙂
November 15, 2018 at 14:15
I love how you share the beauty of our country as you travel. Isn’t it lovely? I think either choice – the Peninsula or the Islands would have been equally gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
November 16, 2018 at 18:59
You’re welcome, Janet. The United States is an amazing country when it comes to nature and its diversity! One could spend years exploring the different states and national parks. So many times we say we could spend the whole summer in Colorado, for example, or the whole winter in Arizona. 🙂 Being mobile helps, but puts lots of miles on and diesel in the van!
November 15, 2018 at 14:33
I love how your picture groups each seem to have a different mood. Love the rainforest pics! Will have to make it there some day.
November 16, 2018 at 19:01
Your time will come, Duwan. 🙂 As I’m receiving more and more work projects, being on the road and sightseeing is becoming harder again. So, we will have to house sit and be temporarily “settled”, to make some money with work. Sounds familiar? 🙂
November 15, 2018 at 15:38
The rainforest looks amazing! I’m with you, head south…warmer is always better. Stay safe and thanks for sharing your journey with us, Liesbet.
November 16, 2018 at 19:02
Warmer is always better, in the winter. 🙂 The more we try to find our perfect temperature in the US (and fail), the more Mark and I realize that the tropics is our happy place.
Enjoy the holidays and your blogging break, Jill!!
November 15, 2018 at 15:49
I hope you are able to avoid the fire and smoke in California! Take care.
November 16, 2018 at 19:08
It’s tricky at times, Leslie. Lots of smoke in Monterey last week and now, we are getting closer to LA. Luckily, Ojai, where our next house sit takes place, has been spared this year. And, San Francisco wasn’t too bad when we drove through a couple of weeks ago. It seems to be hit or miss in certain places.
BTW, we met another Westy owner in San Luis Obispo a couple of days ago (he gave us his spare solenoid), after seeing one in the Tetons and in the Olympic Peninsula and after meeting up with Rob in Washington. That makes a total of five, including you guys. Who needs a Westy Fest? 🙂
November 16, 2018 at 15:22
I can’t believe that you chose more rain…but i’m glad that you did. Your post has given me some more travel ideas! 🙂
November 16, 2018 at 19:13
When it comes to heading south quickly for better weather and missing out on so much or dealing with the weather and stopping at all these exciting places taking our time, I’m different than Mark. But, I’m glad I managed to convince him to not skip too many areas on our way south. Up to a point. 🙂 The Olympic Peninsula is relatively close to you guys. It’s a great place to be one with nature and go hiking in the wilderness. I hope you and Richard manage to visit one day.
November 16, 2018 at 16:17
Much as I loathe rain itself, I sure love the look of that rainforest!
November 16, 2018 at 19:14
Isn’t it one of the coolest things? And, when you walk under the canopy of a rainforest, the rain coming down isn’t nearly as bad as when hiking in open spaces. You should try it one day, Lexie! I bet you’ll enjoy it (the scenery) as much as we did. 🙂
November 17, 2018 at 10:04
Oh, gosh, this brings up memories! Fairy tale or nightmare, it’s hard to pinpoint what story of these hoary trees are telling.
The grotesque trees are my enduring memory from my visit there with some colleagues; we were treated to the “brains” of a botanist and zoologist while we toured the Hoh Forest. I remember seeing lots of puffins, birds we don’t see much of in Florida. Thanks for evoking pleasant memories. I don’t think I could keep up the pace these days . . .
Happy travels!
November 19, 2018 at 15:17
That sounds like a wonderful visit to and memory of the Hoh Rainforest, Marian! We didn’t see any birds, as far as I remember. But, we always forget to look up as we explore. That’s the good thing about having a guide/botanist with you, I suppose. The scenery sure is/was different in the Pacific Northwest than in Florida. I know which place to pick this time of the year. 🙂 We are “settled” in Southern California right now for a few weeks, hopefully staying out of fire harm’s way, but it’s not as nice a weather as where you are!
November 18, 2018 at 06:09
Okay that rain forest looks like pure heaven to me. Rain or no rain. Glorious! And the view on the sunny day, just glorious. What fun. And I do love that small kind of town like Port Townsend which has an old fashioned unique kin of feel to it….
Terrific photos!!
peta
November 19, 2018 at 15:20
The advantage of slow travel is that one might be able to sit out a few rainy days (or do fit-for-the-weather activities) to then enjoy blue skies and sightseeing again. Funny that these forests in the Pacific Northwest are called rainforests as well, since they look differently than the forests and jungles in the tropics, where you are. I enjoyed your last blog post as well, Peta. 🙂
November 20, 2018 at 03:39
This sounds like one of the hidden secrets every traveller should visit, Liesbet. Spectacular views, pretty towns and waterfronts, and very quiet. It may have been bitterly cold on top of that mountain, but I bet the air was as fresh and clean as it can be.
I’ve just opened up a Fir Tree diffuser in the house, so I’m imagining what it must have smelt like amongst all those pine trees.
November 21, 2018 at 18:39
The air was extremely fresh, Hugh. It’s nice to think back about that (and being so enveloped in nature), as we had to deal with less than clear skies in Southern California, from the fires, recently. The smell of (fresh) pine has go to be one of the most enjoyable smells ever. Enjoy the diffuser! 🙂
November 20, 2018 at 09:04
Your photos are always so beautiful, Liesbet! Glad some of the weather cooperated. Washington has so many beautiful places to see. That cool weather would have been welcomed all the month of October down here. Enjoy your trip south!
November 21, 2018 at 18:41
It seems like we just missed the warm Indian summer in California, as we have been following, or been followed by fall and all its colorful splendor and cold. 🙂 But, I’m not complaining. The forecast in Ojai calls for upper sixties/lower seventies this week and we will take that! 🙂 And, yes, there is so much to see and do in Washington, and many other US States, that we truly have to pick and choose what to visit. Just like you are planning to do this winter!
November 20, 2018 at 09:07
Such a picturesque peninsula and your photos captured its beauty. Thanks, Liesbet, for sharing. I’m just back from Morocco and have some catch-up to do. I was in Ojai many years ago, lots of orange farms and some hot springs in that area. Hope you’re enjoying your current house sit.
November 21, 2018 at 18:43
The house sit is fantastic, Natalie. We are enjoying our time here more than ever, as we were ready for some comfort and a break from the exhausting travel lifestyle. And, the weather isn’t too bad. 🙂
On a different note, have you been receiving comments from me on your blog, as I have never seen them appear, recently? I tried to leave a comment twice on your last blog post. Let me know whether you found it in spam or so…
November 24, 2018 at 07:04
Hi Liesbet, I received one comment from you yesterday on my “Thankful” post and replied to it. I checked my spam and didn’t see your previously left comments 🙁
I’d love to receive all your comments. I haven’t changed my blog settings so this is something new. Sorry for the frustrating experience. I hope the issue is just one off and your comments on my blog will come through again.
November 26, 2018 at 22:18
I think the comment problem had to do with my not being signed in (and not being able to in the usual way) to Blogger. It’s driving me crazy (in relation to my own blog and others), how these blogging platforms must do things behind our backs, causing us trouble, while we never changed any settings. What worked forever, all of a sudden doesn’t anymore. Luckily, these are often temporary glitches. 🙂
November 20, 2018 at 10:23
Your pics took me back to when I lived on the coast. So beautiful. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
November 21, 2018 at 18:43
Living on the coast full-time must be a special experience! As long as the fog isn’t too bad. 🙂 We have experienced that it is easily 10 degrees F colder there than inland, though.
November 20, 2018 at 15:53
Looks like you made a gorgeous choice. 😉
November 21, 2018 at 18:44
I think so. And, if we didn’t, no regrets! Never regrets. 🙂
November 21, 2018 at 06:56
Hard to avoid the rain in these lush settings. We havnt explores this area so will add it to a future road trip itinerary! Beautiful photo collages by the way.
November 21, 2018 at 18:45
Thanks, Sue. It is truly a special area, very lush and different than most places we have visited. And, so very different from our months in the desert earlier this year. I hope you and Dave will make it down to this little out-of-the-way peninsula one day.
November 22, 2018 at 00:49
It is many years since I visited the Olympic Peninsula. Your photos make we want to go back again soon to visit.
Jude
November 23, 2018 at 11:41
Well, you don’t have to go too far to re-visit the Olympic Peninsula, Jude. Taking your truck camper for a couple of weeks is highly recommended. 🙂
November 22, 2018 at 07:26
Port Townsend is a charming. I think I would enjoy living in a place like that for a bit. Adore your on-high view shot of Point Wilson Lighthouse. How lucky were you to get such blue skies on Hurricane Ridge and the Elhwa River Area. And oh that gorgeous moss, especially in the river. Looks like your luck didn’t get you as far as Ruby Beach, but the landscapes remind me of Maine in the fall. I see you are housesitting in Ojai at the moment #jealous #lovethatplace. Happy Thanksgiving and big hugs to Mark.
November 23, 2018 at 11:43
Happy Thanksgiving weekend to you too, Lisa, and hugs back from both of us. One of these days, I hope to check out Ojai center and surroundings, as I’ve been working and sitting inside all week (apart from walking the dogs in the upscale housing development we are staying at). The weather has been gorgeous here! And, yes, we’ve had some similar thoughts about Maine, especially when hiking along the coastline and seeing lighthouses.