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View from back porch at
Hurricane Ridge |
I took off for Olympic National Park on Sunday, going over the Narrows Bridge in Tacoma to Port Angeles on the Peninsula. I visited the Visitor Center on my way to Hurricane Ridge. The weather was beautiful, the view amazing. Then, I drove to Rialto Beach on the west coast and arrived as the sun set, overnighting at Mora which is about a mile inland.
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Rialto Beach at dusk |
The next morning, I went back and visited the Elwah Valley and Sol Duc Hot Springs. My favorite part going through the old growth forests. It felt like sacred ground, like I would hear Gregorian Chants at any moment. From there I went to the Hoh Rain Forest to overnight next to the Hoh River.
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Flock of pelicans at La Push's First Beach |
I got up early and hiked the Trail of Mosses in the Hoh Rain Forest ... beautiful, other-worldly. I was there as the first shafts of light came through the trees and onto the trail. I then drove further south and explored the Queets and Quinault Rain Forests where I'd love to come back to spend more time.
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Lake Crescent |
This park whole park needs more time.
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Sol Duc River |
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Hoh River at Campsite |
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Very large stand of moss covered Maple Trees |
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One super large,
fallen maple leaf |
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First shaft of morning
light on Trail of Mosses
in an old growth forest |
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Old Growth, Hoh Rain Forest |
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Mushroom |
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Mushrooms |
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And more mushrooms |
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Moss at Hoh Rain Forest
Visitor Center |
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Autumn color next to Hoh River |
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Big Cedar Tree & Prius RV |
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Ruby Beach |
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Quinault River |
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Graves Creek Road
Quinault Rain Forest |
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Roosevelt Elk near Quinault River |
originally posted 11/1/10