Rialto Beach

The campsite was on the edge of the snow line. Cold winds flowing off the mountain meant a cold night. Gorgeous breakfast of boiled eggs, bran muffins and jam. Food tastes so much better outdoors.








Walked up to Marymere falls near Crescent Lake.








Off to La Push on the western coast of the Park. Run down Indian enclave with a poor fighing community. The seafood restaurant was closed so headed off to Rialto beach. We walked beyond the hole in the wall. It was breathtaking and by far the most beautiful coast I have walked on. Very rugged, with fallen timber densely scattered on the shoreline. The wind howled and the waves crashed resulting in a deafening roar. Julia spent most of the time collecting drift wood and stones. The wildlife has been impressive. Eagles soaring proud and the beaches covered with squadrons of seagulls.









Cooked lunch on the rocks.








Bumped into our friendly park ranger we met back near hurricane ridge. Originally from LA. After years of tailbacks on the freeway, sipping beers on the way home and traffic moving at 5mph, enough was enough and he upped sticks and headed north finally ending up in Olympic National Park. He wouldn’t be any where in the US.



Evening set up camp at Mora on the Quillayute River. Realxed evening by the fire, playing cards and yes you guessed it, eating more lentils! Oh bought a packet of smoked oysters – fried up and consumed with a cold bottle of O’douls, very nice.

Olympic National Park - Hurricane Ridge

Up early. Windswept breakfast. Then a quick walk down to Tongue Point. Visited Safeway – by US standards what a great supermarket!






Up to Heart O’the Hills and the entrance to Hurricane Ridge. An avalanche had closed the road so waited until 12 for access. The weather today was fantastic, clear blue skies and hardly a cloud in sight. Finally made it up the ridge. We were rewarded with extraordinary views across the mountain range and out towards the cascades. You could even see Mt Rainier.

Hired skiis, really bad equipment skis were made in Czech republic and an old design, nonetheless headed cross country. Equipment was a bit ropey resulting Julia’s feet freezing! Beautiful views in the clear sky over the mountain range. We have been so lucky weather wise.













Back off the ridge and off to Elwha camp ground in the rain forrest. Found a little spot and bedded down for the evening. Fire, soup and pasta, Cuban cigar, coffee and chocolate. Fantastic New Year. In bed by 7.30pm asleep by 9.00pm – rock and roll!

Across the Puget Sound

Left the comfort of hotel Max. Breakfast at Le Panier in Pike’s market. Croissant and coffee.



Starbucks first coffee shop.



Then off to the Bainbridge Island ferry. Found out that the mountaineer Ed Visteurs lives on Bainbridge. Beautiful journey across the Puget Sound, with some great views of the city and Hurricane Ridge.













Bainbridge was magnificent with an eclectic array of water fronted houses.




Cut in land towards Olympic national park. Passing great places such as ‘Jimmy come lately creek’ and ‘Kitchen Dick Road’. At the visitors centre we were told that practically all roads into the Prak were closed due to extensive storm damage! Hurricane ridge may be open tomorrow, but snow fall has been high around 5-7 feet.

Visited Lake Crescent but weather was awful so decided to head to a campsite at Salt Creek county park.



Nice campsite though very expensive $35 + tax. Great ocean views and access to the private beach by tongue point.



Julia wasn’t feeling too good, so left her snoozing and went exploring. There were surfers in the water clad in iron proof wetsuits. Found an old artillery bunker complex used to protect the access routes to the Puget Sound in World War II. Then down on to Tongue Point. We could see Canada across the water.









Back for a tasty meal of lentils and rice. Julia’s second favourite meal so far! In bed by 7.00pm.

Reading Yvon Chouinard’s book on Patagonia Inc ‘let my people go surfing.’ Its an interesting read.