We stayed for two days at a small cabin in the Quileute community of LaPush. It was cozy and had a great view of the beach.
I like to watch the waves, a lot.
Buoy #2 washed up on the beach.
It hosted a colony of tiny barnacles
A series of waves washing over rocks
Ken’s first attempt at fishing for surf perch.
Quileute Needles in the distance
A nice sunset behind James Island
Ken and I enjoy road trips. We tend to travel with lots of stuff and this trip we took the truck so we could get all that stuff packed. What kind of stuff? Photo gear. Fishing gear. Clamming gear. Birding gear. Guitar. Books. Various clothes for various activities in a variety of weather conditions. Food – lots of food along with beer and wine. It was a good tour of a big part of the state starting here in the Methow where winter was loosening its grip, across the Cascades where 40″ of snow had fallen in the previous week, to the urban world north of Seattle where we were surprised to see new snow on the ground, and then across Puget Sound where it was sunny and dare I say it, warm. We reached Port Angeles that first night.
Sunset from our hotel in Port Angeles
From PA we drove up the Elwha River to the overlook of one of the now-removed Elwha Dams.
This sign graphic shows how it looked before, during and after the dam removal. Salmon have already returned to this river above the former dam site.
Part of Lake Crescent is in the Olympic National Park. It is cold and deep.
Old Storm King Ranger Station at Lake Crescent
Marymere Falls – a short popular hike from Lake Crescent
We saw these pretty blossoms in several places. I think they are a berry – maybe salmonberry?
The Dickey River – slow moving and flat and more reminiscent of Florida than Washington
We saw a river otter
This algae covered shoe had mussels growing inside of it. I wonder how long it was in the water and where it came from. Japan? It was on Rialto Beach.
A madronna log – driftwood on Rialto Beach
I could not get a better look at this moss covered nest as it was above my head. It was along the Hoh River.
This flower grew in many places with disturbed ground. I have no idea what it is.
Water pours out of a cliff side
Ruby Beach is more rocky than most of the beaches where we walked.
Looking down at Ruby Beach
Reflections along the way
Lots of interesting weather – mostly good
The Sandpiper
Some treasures from the beach
Two of the surf perch that Ken caught
Lots more, yet to come!
We got away from home for a little while just as winter was coming to an end and spring was beginning, otherwise known as mud season. I have several hundred images to edit and sort and this is my favorite batch by far. There will be more blog posts from this wonderful vacation in the days to come.
Our trip took us around the top of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, starting at Port Angeles, then down to LaPush, a brief stop in Westport and then to our final destination near Pacific Beach. We stayed at a wonderful place called the Sandpiper – a small resort built right behind the narrow strip of dunes and against the cliff. It would not be the place to be during a tsunami. We were blessed with good weather and the first night we had a marvelous sunset! One of the best I’ve ever experienced. Last year in Florida we learned to go out to the beach and toast the sunset so we carried on with that marvelous tradition on the west coast.
The calendar says today is the first day of Spring. Yesterday I saw my first yellowbell, a delicate tiny wildflower. This morning we awoke to three inches of new snow and it only just quit snowing an hour or so ago. Despite the conditions, Luna and I had our regular morning walk. Even she seemed less than enthused about the weather. Today’s snow was not unexpected. Now the sun is shining and soon this snow will be gone and the wildflowers can reappear.
I should advertise for Bogs boots.
It’s been a while since Luna has been featured.
Visibility was poor due to heavy snowfall
Aspens were sheltering Mourning Doves
A mouse or a vole hole in the snow
She’s got the cute thing going
Some springs, that depression in front of the aspens holds water
These deer were none too happy about the snow
I expect these daffodils will still bloom
More signs of Spring each day now. Yesterday the dog and I went for a steep walk above the bottom of Pipestone Canyon. I had thought about walking up the canyon but the access road is still muddy and snowy in places. Best not to even try to drive on those conditions. The bird highlight was a couple of Dusky Grouse. They should be displaying soon. Western Meadowlarks sang as we walked. It was overcast and a little chilly.
The view looking up towards Pipestone Canyon.
A nest from last year high in an old bitterbrush. I had to hold the camera above my head to get pictures.
The name of this flower has slipped my memory. Hopefully it will return soon.
And I don’t know this tiny pink bud emerging from the crusty soil.
Balsamroot buds
And the first wildflowers – bluebells.
Funny, I haven’t seen any buttercups yet.
My Everyday Photos 