The Sound of Music (The hills are alive with the sound of music.....)

Daily Mileage=133;Trip total=5562

Today we did a small part of the Olympic Peninsula. We didn't realize how big it is here and how far you can drive from one area to the next.

We started out by going into the park (you actually go in and out of the park, similar to Acadia NP in Bar Harbor, Maine) at what is known as Hurricane Ridge. It's called that because the winter winds can get to be hurricane force. It is a very high area that takes you up mountains that are 6,000 feet and more. There was some cloud cover but it was still beautiful and all of the trails, in what its usually an alpine meadow, were closed with snow still on them. By the way, just about anywhere on the peninsula, you are surrounded by mountains or have incredible views of them. Of course, I kept singing, "The hills are alive with the sound of music..." and Rich kept rolling his eyes wishing for me to end. Hence, tonight's blog title!

We then traveled to a totally different part of the park and peninsula called Sol Duc Hot Springs. Yes, they do have hot springs here but this is really an area that has the Sol Duc River running through it and is still home to salmon, although not as plentiful as in the past. You can imagine the story, man moves in, changes the landscape proceeds to over harvest the salmon and hence, not as many wild salmon anymore. The salmon run in the fall but we went to the area and hiked a couple of trails (relatively short ones) that took us to a very pretty, fast moving water fall. Both trails went through forest areas that had a tremendous amount of huge Douglas Firs, Cedar, and some other pines. We could not get over the size of the trees living as well as those that have fallen over the years. Most of the trees we were surrounded by were at least 750 years old. It was incredible! (They have the "old" forests and the "ancient" forests! )

We also drove by Lake Crescent which is absolutely beautiful. It is a very large lake surrounded by sloping mountains which fall right down into the water. The slopes are chocked full of huge green fir and pine trees. Simply incredible. We were heading back to Port Angeles as the sun was setting behind the mountain tops and it was simply one of the best views we had in a lifetime. And I should mention that the water is a clear crystal blue. It reminded us of Belliagio, Italy which is also one of the prettiest places we've ever seen. Of course, our photos do not do justice to the views we are seeing, but we want to share some of it with you. What you see here is the cloud descending on the mountain top.

We are still here until Tuesday morning but we are heading over to the other side of the Peninsula, by the Pacific Ocean. We could have easily spent another week here and then some. We didn't hit the wineries, the water activities or Victoria, Canada (you can take a ferry to there from here). It looks like an old European city. And, we didn't even entertain the San Juan Islands that are between Seattle and Victoria,CA.

I might also add that we have had great Northwestern food since we've been here, especially sea food. Dungeness Crab, Salmon, Sturgeon, local clams and mussels. It's all been wonderful!!! The place is laid back with good food, wine and a New Englandy small village/town feel about it. We would highly recommend it to all! So, here's Rich with our latest find.

Love & joy, Mare&Rich