Road Trip

What fun! We've been traveling around the NW in the "dirt yacht" since the 2nd and I have been enjoying the heck out of showing Chris the sights. Since I grew up here it is sometimes a bit Deja Vu-ish but playing tour guide is really quite fun. We spent the 4th in Florence, OR at Chris' brother's home and since both his children were there we got in some nice visiting. Also managed to show photos of cruising in Mexico (again) to everyone. Monday we drove up 101 to visit friends in Lincoln City (OR) , Seaside (OR) and Ocean Shores (WA). On the drive north, I made Chris stop at Depoe Bay (OR) so he could see the incredible surf and unbelieveable harbor entrance there. Every time I see it I am amazed that boats (NOT sailboats!) go in and out all the time. While we were there two boats entered the harbor and, even though it was a relatively benign day surf-wise, it still made us tense right up just watching. It was really great seeing our friends again, sharing pictures and stories and getting caught up on what has been happening in their lives.

After leaving Ocean Shores we started doing some serious meandering and making more stops. The first was Lake Quinault. This is a place I have always thought was unbelieveably beautiful. The Lake Quinault Lodge was built by the CCC in 1926 and is very elegant and the grounds and view of the lake are gorgeous .

Continuing north we got more and more ocean views and we finally decided to stop at Ruby Beach. This place gets it's name from the garnets that are often found there. Alas, all we saw was sand, round, gray rocks and lots of driftwood. After the warm sunshine at Lake Quinault it didn't take long to feel the chill of the fog and the gray, wind-whipped ocean brought back memories of our southbound trip last year. We were both happy that "Faith" is in Mexico now and we don't have that miserable passage to look forward to again. Even though we didn't find any garnets, this beach was quite beautiful in a wild and rugged way but we were soon ready to climb back into the motorhome and toddle on.

Next stop was the Hoh Rain Forest. I had been there before but it had been many years and it was fun to watch Chris' awe. The first night we had a very nice camp spot just across the roadway from the River. It was late afternoon by the time we arrived and got the motorhome parked so we decided to just enjoy the quiet with a glass of wine and a book before making dinner. Hmmm...a lot like what happens after the anchor is down and set on the boat! The Hoh is a beautiful, peaceful place. There were no TV's, no "hook ups", no lights, nothing but the sigh of the forest in the wind and the gurgling of the River as it moved among the rocks. Next morning as I was fixing breakfast, the people with the spot right NEXT to the River left! We had decided we wanted to stay another night so we quickly took the eggs off the stove and moved into that primo spot. Way cool!! I was especially intrigued by an elderly woman (at LEAST my age but probably older) who was t-e-n-t camping with her dog in the spot next door. I intended to go visit with her but by the time I got around to it she had already left. I am as surprised and amazed by women who camp alone as some of my friends are at my wacky exploits!

After breakfast we were off to the Visitor's Center to find out more about the forest and then do some exploring. We first followed the 1.5 mile "Spruce" trail and it was like being picked up and deposited in the middle of a movie set. I kept waiting to see Bigfoot or fairies or Ewoks or some such creatures but, alas, no luck. When we got back to the Visitor's Center there was a guided trail walk about to begin with a park ranger so we joined that as well and wandered through the Hall of Mosses with the group. It was, again, very cool, but we decided we both would rather have done that walk by ourselves.

After walking trails all day (it wasn't particularly warm) both of us were suffering some definite joint issues ("You're not in Mexico anymore, Dorothy")! We hobbled back to the motorhome, ingested some aspirin and sat down to listen to the sound of the River while we recuperated enough to put dinner together. Chris took a shower (as it turns out, the RV has a shower that is twice the size of the one on the boat!) while I sat out by the water to read. A few minutes later I began to think I was drooling on my book...only to realize it had begun to rain. Aah nutz! Well, time for dinner and a game of Quiddler. Still, we are INSIDE a toasty motorhome (as opposed to the people next door in a tent) so it can't be all bad! Oh...and we never gave the critters a reason to come and bother us (see sign on top of picnic tables)!