Seattle, WA/Olympic NP/Portland, OR

North America » United States » Washington » Olympic National Park
July 21st 2011

Published: July 22nd 2011

Edit Blog Post

Cutter

the Locks

We were lucky enough to receive a warm welcome into Jenny Slater's condo for a comfy floor to throw our air mattress on and a local to show us a fun little local dive. Jenny worked with me (Jamey) at Flat Branch back in the day (round 1998/1999) and knew Jessica through the Moss Creek crew. Many old stories of Columbia, MO days of old were exchanged and enjoyed through out the evening. I was also lucky enough to get a hold of Jonty Barnes, a Brit, I knew as my London contact when visiting back in the 90's. He answered my call in his strong British accent "I went to a music festival with a Jamey Leonard" referring to our last time hanging out at Glastenbury in 1997. After a couple beers and a pleasant introduction to Jenny's Beau, Gregory, as well as meeting Jonty's wife, Jackie, a very nice evening was enjoyed by all at The Redwood.

We woke up, slowly, and enjoyed the comfort of privacy, carpetted floors and laundry facilities as tickets to Anchorage Alaksa (Oh Yeah!) were purchased for our August visit to the great Northwestern state and specifically to Denali. A very, very late

NOAA

going thru the locks

exit happened and we made our way to Olympic National Park and the Sol Duc hot springs. We snagged a sweet camping spot, had a quick bite to eat and spent the last daylight hours of Tuesday soaking away in the comfy and beautifully sourrounded pools right inside the NP. Rain fell during the nighttime hours so we woke to a soaked tent and a slow start considering our early bed time.

Originally, we'd talked about a short backpacking overnight into the Hoh Rainforest but after a late start, slow driving and a mis-interpretation of the backpacking permit rules we'd (mostly Jessica) settled on heading to the coast and doing our best to snag a beach spot for camping. Not before a wonderful day hike through the rainforst, it's lush GREEN trees, ferns and moss surrounded us on every side.

Luck shined it's light on us, almost literaly. Jessica was introduced to the spectacular view at Ruby Beach, her first ever time seeing the Pacific coast of the US with sunlight. Then we were blessed with one of the last camping sites available at a very crowded and sought after campground along the beach. We toasted drinks with

NOAA

still going thru the locks

chairs in the sand looking over the waves of the ocean as the sun warmed our faces. Upon returning to the camp site we dined on Hamburger a la foil (a boy scout favorite of mine from long ago)only to see clouds roll in and steal our hopes for a sunset over the ocean.

Again the reputation of the NW stepped in and drenched our tent (which remained pretty much dry inside) over the night and into the morning. We packed our soaking supplies and headed down highway 101 into Oregon and onto Portland. We enjoyed a lovely evening with Sarah Karns, an old co-worker of mine(Jessica) from the Emeril's days in NOLA. After hearing all the wonderful work she is getting to do(I am so proud of her), we are kicking it in a little hotel in Hillsboro outside of Portland.

Additional photos below

Photos: 47, Displayed: 24