Cats and Trails and Garden Tales
Musings on cats, travel, gardens and life
A Journey to Olympic National Park
It’s one of my favorite national parks and why not? It has everything: glacier capped mountains, pristine lakes and rivers, waterfalls, hot springs, wild remote beaches, and the largest track of preserved old growth forest in the Pacific Northwest. Time it right and you can also take in the largest annual lavender festival in North America, in nearby sunny Sequim.
And getting there is half the fun; a drive between 3 and 4 hours from Seattle depending on the route you take. We opt to go north which includes the ferry from Edmonds to Kingston and shortens the driving a bit. No harm in that.
Clear skies and all the mountains visible as we leave the Cascades behind and head toward the Olympics.
We continue west through two Port towns, historic Port Townsend (for lunch)
and Port Angeles, gateway to Oympic National Park. Next up is one of my favorite places in the Park and one of my favorite lakes anywhere: Lake Crescent, a beautiful deepwater lake with its own historic lodge. And that’s where we stop for dinner.
By now you may have noticed the clouds setting in. Still, that didn’t stop these youngsters from jumping into the lake. (I admit I’m a bit envious; but not enough to join them. Ah, to be young again!)
Later on in our trip I capture the peaceful lake from another angle under morning skies.
After Lake Crescent, it’s on to Sol Duc where we’ll stay the next 2 nights. Much more to come, including a hike to Sol Duc Falls and a trek to Rialto Beach. But I’ll save those adventures for the next post, ok? See you soon!
Susanne
Cats and Trails and Garden Tales 
That looks idyllic indeed, Susanne. I am not good on boats at sea, but I can do lakes!
Best wishes, Pete.
One of my favorite lakes indeed! Something for everyone there! ☺
beautiful!
Susanne, Another adventure that brings back wonderful memories! So glad you got to go and again thanks for letting us go along vicariously!
Thank you Lola! This is still one of my very favorite places!
I surely have not spent enough time on the peninsula! I am a warm weather kind of person so I often find myself gravitating towards Eastern Washington when I need to get away, but there are so many beautiful things to explore out here!
The beauty and variety is staggering. It’s definitely worth exploring! thanks for your comment. 😊
Terrific photos!
Thank you! Scenery like that makes it easy! ☺
I’m so glad you have these wonderful places to enjoy instead of watching The New Subdivision transform your home environment, Sue!
Yes, so many beautiful places to go to and enjoy!