Olympic National Park, Port Angeles, Washington
Being one of the last temperate rainforests in the US, with over 3,000 miles of rivers, more than 600 miles of trails, 73 miles of coastline, 60 named glaciers, and over 12 feet of rain, the Olympic National Park (ONP) is a vibrant paradise.
I had reserved a spot with a women’s adventure group to hike in Hawaii, but Covid-19 had rearranged the entire world and plans. So, when the rescheduled trip did not align with my availability, I changed my trip to tour the Olympic National Park. Although I enjoyed the scenery and wilderness, I did not enjoy the company I traveled with or the other women who attended. I learned lessons on my social abilities, limitations, and desires and what I want to bring into my group events. This trip also catalyzed me to examine myself better, be honest about my unrealistic expectations of others, and raise my expectations for myself in similar situations. If that is not a win from experience, then I have nothing for you.
The itinerary, not set by me, is as follows.
Day 1: Flying into Seattle and stopping by Port Townsend on the way to Port Angeles.
Union Wharf, Port Townsend, Washington: built in 1867 to serve the sailing vessels coming to the bay. At that time, Port Townsend was a “rowdy frontier town”. It has changed ownership and purposes numerous times since then and is now a touristy historical point of interest. It looks out to view Kilisut Harbor and Indian Island, now Naval Magazine Island. It used to be Indian-owned until the Eminent Domain Process in 1939-41 (what an excellent way to phrase it 🙄). This whole description is trash. The land was stolen through horrifying means, and now it’s a beautiful tourist trap. The end.
Day 2: Just doing real gangster stuff.
Hurricane Ridge: Hurricane Hill, Sunrise Point, and Press Expedition Traverse.
Did you know that there are 60 named glaciers and 64 trailheads here? You can use Venmo to thank me for those tidbits.
Day 3:
4. Hoh Valley Cabin in Forks, Washington
Day 4: Hoh Rain Forest
1. Spruce Trail
3. Hoh River Trail to Mineral Creek Falls
Every time I’m away, I forget how GREEN it is on this side of Washington. Every color of green. Every shade of each color of green. Incredible.
Day 5:
1. Arrive at the village La Push, Washington
2. Second Beach
3. First Beach
4. Check into a hotel in Forks, Washington
5. Eat all the food and drink all the alcohol to end the trip and get ready to return to Idaho tomorrow
A week after returning from that trip, I was lucky to score a permit to backpack further into the Olympic National Park. Getting my third child, LAR, took no persuasion to join me on this adventure. We knew that my strength and health were inexplicably declining, and without seeking answers, I was pushing forward. We also knew he would potentially be leaving for the military by the end of the year, so this was our big mother-and-son adventure before the unknown officially became known to us. He is a fun adventure partner because he cares about making moments meaningful and is up for almost anything when he is available.
Enchanted Valley, in the Quinault Rain Forest, near Quinault, Washington.
31 miles, 4650’ e.g., waterfalls, raspberry and blackberry bushes as far as you can see, 100 banana slugs (just because I want you to have the sweetest dreams tonight – banana slugs have 25,000-27,000 teeth 🦷), mushrooms as big as my head, bear poop leading the way up the trail, mosquito heaven at our campsite, a water filter that worked ONLY the first time we refilled on this trip, a deceptively difficult backpack trip, indescribable beauty, and new memories.
Today, LAR is active duty military, nearing graduation from the most difficult program available for the highest achieving service members. I am so thankful that he matches my energy for making memories – he has pushed me for a long time to begin writing about my adventures, and he set up this website. This cancer situation did not happen at the best time for anyone, especially not for him. His academic load is unimaginable, and he has to choose to be there or be here every day – mentally and physically. Building a foundation of mutual love and respect with an extensive history of shared adventures has helped us manage this long goodbye while still choosing to move forward and live life to the fullest.
