Olympic National Park

After an extra night in the Hampton Inn in Bremerton, we struck out on Route 3 north from Bremerton until we got to Route 101 and followed it for the next two days.

Along the way, we spied a lavender farm and stopped for a visit. Apparently, the valley in that area makes for some of the best lavender growing in the country - but we didn't buy any plants.

We stopped for lunch in Port Angeles, right on the Strait of Juan De Fuca. We had intended to go into the National Park here, but turns out the it was a Monday and the road into the park is being worked on during the week so that was out.

Continuing on Route 101 heading west, we came to a small park with a trail to Mary Falls, needless to say, with a name like that we had to make the trek. Into the woods we went, and the feeling was primordial forest! Large trees, very large trees, moss growing on almost everything since this is close to a temperate rain forest. The falls weren't that spectacular, but it was a nice little respite.

We kept driving and saw on the map a place called Rialto Beach. That was one of the most spectacular beaches I have ever seen - and I have seen a lot of beaches from Australia to the Mediterranean, South America and the Caribbean to England - and this was the greatest! Many huge logs have drifted onto the beach, many 5 to 6 feet in diameter and all of a driftwood texture. Off shore there are many sea mounts adding to the effect. That night we stayed at a cheap motel in Forks, WA.

The next day we continued south and stopped at a couple more beaches, but none as impressive as Rialto beach.

A side trip into the temperate rainforest of Olympic national park and some more "primordial" forest that we will remember all lives.

Then the long trip back to the Seatac airport area for our last night in Washington.

This day was also Mary's birthday so we went out to dinner at a local restaurant to celebrate.

In the morning, up and at it, shuttle to the airport and on to a USAIR flight home. USAIR sure knows how to do domestic first class a lot better than NWA.