Washington 2010

During Ivy's April Break we took a trip to Washington State to explore Olympic National Park and the Pacific Northwest. It was an AWESOME trip! We flew into Sea-Tac and drove northwest-ward towards Port Townsend - this is Ivy walking on the driftwood.

Then Dungess Spit,

Then Port Angeles - where we stayed for a couple of days. While we were there we went to Hurricane Ridge (5-10 feet of snow at top); Crescent Lake; Sol Duc Hot Springs (for dinner) no hot springs for us, too expensive!; a tiny aquarium; and out to dinner! Also went to DQ for dessert one night. This is Ivy on Hurricane Ridge with a friend she made (LITERALLY!).

Then we went to the most northwestern point in the lower 48-states and along the way counted 50 bald eagles!! That's the most I've EVER counted in one day!! Then we drove down to La Push to stay for a couple of days - which was a glimpse of heaven! Watched bald eagles from our room sitting on the couch!!! We stayed in a hotel right on the beach, crashing waves on beach, bald eagles, awesome sunset. Also went hiking along the beach - Rialto Beach - which was a 3-mile hike on the beach round-trip...which felt longer since we sunk into the sand AND it was raining! Had a snack beneath an old tree stump, the only dry spot on the beach. Then we drove south to the HOH Rain Forest - which it wasn't raining! But it was great. Huge cedar trees, moss, ferns, a tree-huggers dream! ;) Then we went to Lake Quinnault - a glacial lake. At this lake, the largest Sitka Spruce IN THE WORLD resides in the area!! I think the expression on my face sums up the excitment!

We spent day here - had the best breakfast EVER at the lodge overlooking the Lake with hummingbirds! There were like 10 hummingbirds in front of me - no camera though. Ivy told me 'no camera' at food time. OK. Then we decided to go to Mount Rainer. Stayed at a B&B just outside the park. Had a great breakfast (not as good as Lake Quinnault) and drove up Mount Rainer and snowshoed a little ways up - awesome!

Then we left to go to Seattle, stayed in a B&B in Seattle that overlooked Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains in the distant distance! It was cool.

Awesome vacation! Sadly, we had to come home. More photos on Facebook.