Olympic Peninsula

Kelsey came to Seattle for a visit, and wanted a get-away ... some place green, cool, and possibly moist (kinda the opposite of Albuquerque).  So the Olympic Peninsula was the obvious choice.  And she thought it would be fun to invite her cousin, William.  So we did.  Karen booked an AirBnB house in Forks (of "Twilight" fame, and the wettest town in the US) for 3 nights, where the Hoh Rainforest and multiple coastal beaches were within easy reach.

On the way over, we stopped at several locations to check out the Elway River, which had two major dams removed about 10 years ago.  It was interesting to see the forest regrowing in the old lake beds and the big sand spits that have formed at the river's outlet into the Straight of Juan de Fuca.

Elwah River above Lower Dam

Sandy Spit, Elway River Delta

Rejuvinating Forest above Upper Dam, Elway River

Upper Dam Remnants, Elway River

The next day we ventured to Second Beach a bit south of LaPush.  Gorgeous, massive sea stacks.  Big, quiet beach.  Excellent.  After a chill session back at our house, we headed to Rialto Beach, north of LaPush, for a sunset walk.  Again, just awesome.

A Family Walk, Second Beach

Sea Stacks, Second Beach

Rocks, Second Beach

Sea Stacks, Rialto Beach

Evening Light, Rialto Beach

Family Chill, Rialto Beach

Sunset, Rialto Beach

On our second full day, we hiked along the Hoh River in the rainforest.  Green and lush.  Ferns and big mossy trees.  Not too crowded, either.  

Small Creek, Hoh Rainforest

Bunchberry, Hoh Rainforest

Tough Cousins, Hoh Rainforest

Sword Ferns, Hoh Rainforest

Lush Understory, Hoh Rainforest

On our way home, there was one more beach calling to us ... Ruby Beach.  Beautiful and chill.  A final nice, long walk.

Shoreline, Ruby Beach

Tidepool Hunter, Ruby Beach

Starfish, Ruby Beach

Rocks, Ruby Beach

It was a nice relaxing trip.  Great to hang and play some guitar with William, and spend some extended, quality time with Kelsey. 

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