By Chuck
Leaving Sol Duc, we headed directly for the Hoh Valley Rain Forest, since we could not check-in at the Manitou Lodge until 4pm. We had a beautiful sunny day there! This fulfills a wish we each have had for many years.
A creek on the path to the 3 trails. We went on two small loops: The Hall of Mosses trail and The Spruce Trail. Then we walked a bit up the 18.5 mile Hoh Rain Forest Trail.
The clubmosses are attached to the trees, but are not parasitic. They feed only on air and light, with the forest atmosphere providing the necessary moisture and wind-borne nutrients.
We surprised this lovely elk; we walked by gingerly, as this is rutting season and they can be aggressive at this time.
We drove straight to the lodge after our hikes. We were ready for a little relaxation.
Late the next morning we lounged and ate our breakfast then took a leisurely walk around the property--10 acres of lovely forest.
The Twilight Saga is set in Forks, Washington. Though Stephenie Meyer had never been here when she wrote it, she visited recently for a major conference. It was a big deal. Virtually every store has some tie in with the series.
Our second day, we decided to try La Push, the other main beach in the Forks area. We actually liked it better--more varied and interesting scenery, and lots of birds. I suppose this upright driftlog is naturally occurring.
We couldn't be sure, but guessed that the immense number of driftlogs was a byproduct of lumber operations.
Thursday, we decided to alter our plans and head for home. I was disappointed to not see more of the Washington and Oregon coastline, but a major storm is coming in from Alaska and we would have spent all our time indoors, unable to see the sights due to bad weather and poor visibility. We can better spend our time at home, reading, for example. So we made a number of calls to cancel our reservations; made a couple more to make a reservation at a half way point--Albany (just below Salem). We also had to schedule a 25,000 mile checkup for the Prius. It turns out that the auto dealer is right across the street from the hotel--fantastic luck. Hope to see you soon.
Leaving Sol Duc, we headed directly for the Hoh Valley Rain Forest, since we could not check-in at the Manitou Lodge until 4pm. We had a beautiful sunny day there! This fulfills a wish we each have had for many years.
On the way to the Visitor Information Center, we saw a sign for a giant Sitka Spruce tree and stopped
For perspective, Claire stood beneath it
The pay phone at the visitor center: That is a plant growing from the empty phone holes
A creek on the path to the 3 trails. We went on two small loops: The Hall of Mosses trail and The Spruce Trail. Then we walked a bit up the 18.5 mile Hoh Rain Forest Trail.
Growth upon the creek
A shaggy dog story in old growth part of the forest
Intrepid hiker starting out
I liked the growth on this tree
Note the row of trees growing out of this nurse log
Claire under a tree arch
Curious growth pattern on this limb
Chuck standing alongside a 270 foot fallen tree
Charming couple in the Hoh Rain Forest
We surprised this lovely elk; we walked by gingerly, as this is rutting season and they can be aggressive at this time.
I simply like the color of this...fungus?
It rains 142 inches each year, here. This contrasts with 21 inches in San Francisco.
Lost hiker
We drove straight to the lodge after our hikes. We were ready for a little relaxation.
Manitou Lodge in Forks, Washington
Our cozy bedroom
Our porch and high-tech chairs
After checking in to our lodge, we ate hamburgers and razzleberry pie a la mode at a local cafe and then drove to Rialto Beach. The pie is a combination of raspberry, blackberry and apple.
Claire waiting for the sunset in partial gear. (Not our camper, by the way.)
7:09 PM
A gaggle of trees had washed up upon this beach. It was interesting, but a little unsightly.
Late the next morning we lounged and ate our breakfast then took a leisurely walk around the property--10 acres of lovely forest.
Claire hiking out around the property from Manitou Lodge
Our own little moss park
Sort of like Jurassic Park--ferns and moss and more greenery
Keep on Truckin'
One last look back over our local forest
The Twilight Saga is set in Forks, Washington. Though Stephenie Meyer had never been here when she wrote it, she visited recently for a major conference. It was a big deal. Virtually every store has some tie in with the series.
The partial menu for the Three Rivers Resort, which has excellent food at bargain prices
Our second day, we decided to try La Push, the other main beach in the Forks area. We actually liked it better--more varied and interesting scenery, and lots of birds. I suppose this upright driftlog is naturally occurring.
We couldn't be sure, but guessed that the immense number of driftlogs was a byproduct of lumber operations.
The beach at La Push
My poor little iPhone was trying so hard to capture these birds in flight over the protruding boulders
Thursday, we decided to alter our plans and head for home. I was disappointed to not see more of the Washington and Oregon coastline, but a major storm is coming in from Alaska and we would have spent all our time indoors, unable to see the sights due to bad weather and poor visibility. We can better spend our time at home, reading, for example. So we made a number of calls to cancel our reservations; made a couple more to make a reservation at a half way point--Albany (just below Salem). We also had to schedule a 25,000 mile checkup for the Prius. It turns out that the auto dealer is right across the street from the hotel--fantastic luck. Hope to see you soon.
