The Washington coast

[TBird1958]

Been away for a couple of days on an actual vacation (as opposed to a band trip) to the Washington coast - Had a great time, driving the Subaru on curvy seaside and mountain roads was fun too.

This is Lake Quinault Lodge, located on it's namesake, a beautiful place for a visit, built in 1926


A few miles to the north you're on the coast, with giant driftwood logs scattered around like dinosaur bones on a typical rainy, windy day.


Later in the day after rounding to the north side of the peninsula the weather had changed for the better,
this Lake Crescent, carved by a glacier it's about 600 feet deep.


The next day we travelled along the northern edge of the peninsula following the Strait of Juan de Fuca stopping a couple times to shoot



Eventually we got to Cape Flattery, the most Northwestern point in the contiguous United States, you can walk to the point, which becomes a narrow tongue of land with very dramatic views.
The path

Looking south

And north, here you can see how the waves have made enormous caves in the rock.

And due west, that's Tatoosh Rock, note the Lighthouse.

The actual northwestern most point is this small tree


Next day found us atop Hurricane Ridge in the Olympic Mountains (elev 5,240)



Some of the mountains are shadowed and don't get nearly as  much precip as others as you can see.


Lunch on the Subaru's tailgate with my gf Alison.


And the next day found us climbing on these gun enplacements that faced out into the Strait, originally the held 6" guns and were part of a series along the Washington and British Columbia coasts



And the lovely Marymere Falls, near Lk Crescent


And of course the gratuitous Subaru shot 

[Barklessdog]

Great pictures & amazing landscapes. I have always wanted to go, but never have.

[uwe]

If you ever lose that gig with the The Nasty Habits, you could still be a freelancer with National Geographic!

[godofthunder]

 Beautiful looks like a fun time !

[Denis]

Beautiful photos, Mark! I didn't know about those coastal gun emplacements. Those are cool!

[Nocturnal]

Great pictures Mark! It is beautiful in your part of the country.

[Pilgrim]

Daggummit Mark, here I am doing just fine in Colorado and you have to do that - now I am back in longing mode for the Pacific NW and Washington in particular!!!

My godfather Onnie Pakkonnen (just a bit Finnish) was an indian agent in Neah Bay for some years in the early 60's and we visited a couple of times.  I absolutely love that part of the state.  That's also where I learned to love salmon - got in on a REAL Makah indian salmon bake during one of those trips.  

Wonderful trip, my friend.  Thanks for the excellent photos.

[OldManC]

Wow! I need to move. 

[Chaser001]

I've always felt that was the most beautiful part of the U.S. 

[uwe]

And it never rains there, just like in Southern California, so I've heard.

[Pilgrim]

And it never rains there, just like in Southern California, so I've heard.

That's right.  "Rain" is an inadequate term for what happens there.   

[TBird1958]

Odd thing about the rain, it can and does rain a lot on the peninsula, some years more than 12 feet! But because of the local mountain ranges ( and primarily the Olympics) you can go from rain forest to desert in just a few miles, there are microclimates that are very dry (tho not without their clouds) and even have a unique species of cactus.

As you can see there are "dry" spots. The horizon to the right of the peak is Vancouver Island and inbetween the Strait of Juan de Fuca.
 

[chromium]

Especially liked that photo of the lodge.  Looks like a really serene getaway...

[TBird1958]

If you look close at the chimney you'll notice a Thunderbird! 

[chromium]

If you look close at the chimney you'll notice a Thunderbird! 

No wonder I liked it!  Subliminal messages...