Day 13 - Olympic National Park

Once again I was up early and did one more drive through Port Townsend just to make sure I didn't miss anything.  A special thanks to Mike and Sara for getting me there.  I would have by-passed that town but they said it was much nicer than Port Angeles...and it was.

Started up US 101 for a while when I realized I had missed the Olympic National Visitors Center.  Thanks to my handy, dandy GPS it got me turned around and at the front door in no time.  Grabbed a Park map and I was on my way.

First stop per my NG Tour Book and Park map was Hurricane Ridge.  Another thanks here to Karen for telling me about the National Park Senior's Pass.  I bought one a few years ago for $10, good for as long as I live and it gets me into any national park at no cost.  Saved me some bucks on this trip.

So the 17 mile drive up to Hurricane Ridge was incredible.  I had to watch the road carefully as it was narrow, windy and at the mountains edge, but when I could sneak a peek it was beautiful.   As I gained altitude I was in the clouds and eventually passed the tree line...all the while the mountains were teasing me with a veil dance in the clouds...sometimes you could see them...sometimes you couldn't...and the views changed by the second.

Arrived at the top and understood instantly how the ridge got its name.  The wind was howling.  Didn't stay outside long but enjoyed the displays in the Visitor's Center.

On my way down I took a park road cutoff that the Ranger said I could get through if I drove slowly.  I did drive slowly and it saved me a bunch of miles and took me through more temperate rain forests that defy description.

The road started out paved and looked like this...

And ended up unpaved and quite a bit narrower.  My kind of adventure!!!

The short cut put me back on US101 and a few miles down the road I came to the Crescent Lake Park Lodge where I stopped for lunch and a lovely view of the lake.

From there I drove 14 miles back to Sol Duc Hot Springs.  Legend claims that two well matched dragons fought nearly to the death, and their hot tears of anguish created the hot springs of today.  Since I didn't pack a suit I drove on up to the end of the road to the trailhead for the Sol Duc Falls, one of the most photographed spots on the Peninsula and hiked back the .8 miles to the falls.  Again, I was in those beautiful trees and when I got to the Falls I just stood there and let its spray drench me.  I looked like a very happy wet duck on my walk back.

From the Falls it was back on US 101 headed for Forks, WA....yes the Forks of Twilight fame.  Couldn't help myself given that it was right there... I mean right on my way to Portland and all!!!

So, next post I talk about Forks.  Let me leave it at....if you blink your eyes on your way through you will definitely miss  Forks!!