We’ve been missing our loved ones a lot lately, as we’ve been rounding month 6 of not being able to travel to see them all back home in CA. But this extra time here in WA has inspired us to maximize our time and (safely, at a distance and with masks) explore the beautiful Pacific Northwest outdoors. Normally during summertime, you’d more likely find us adventuring by trying new bars and restaurants, so quarantine time has encouraged us to appreciate the beautiful outdoors available to us here in our backyard. We did our first overnight adventure to do the Olympic Peninsula/Olympic National Park loop around the northwest corner of the state. My eyes, my mind and my legs feel refreshed. Here are some photos from our adventures. Photos are shot on a mix of my Canon 5D Mark iii DSLR, Sony rx100, and my iPhone8.
First stop: Sequim Lavendar Farms to see the most beautiful Lavendar fields. Pictures below were taken at The Lavendar Connection and B&B Family Lavendar Farm. The golden light, the light breeze was majestic.
Then on to Port Angeles for our first night! We stayed at a sweet little Bed and Breakfast called Five Seasuns. A big thing for us was to find accommodations that went above and beyond in their COVID-19 safety practices and our host Caroline not only went above and beyond with her safety and social distancing practices and regulations, but also helped make us feel right at home. I can't stop thinking about her Cranberry Crumble…been dreaming about it every night since we left.
Day 2, big day. After a good cup of coffee, we headed for Hurricane Ridge followed by a couple waterfalls and Lake Crescent. A few highlights: Hurricane Ridge- one of the most beautiful views I’ve ever seen. The pictures don’t even do it full justice, but just imagine breathtaking views of the Olympics, with sprinkles of purple, yellow and white flowers, some residual snow at the tops of the mountains and Canada in the distance. We also caught a few nature creatures along the way (deer, A BEAR YES A BEAR (a small one from a distance) and a marmite).
Off to Marymere falls and then Crescent Lake to get our feet a little break. Unfortunately there were a couple fires at Crescent Lake this weekend which we saw a bit from the distance so hoping everything turns out ok. Lake Crescent is hands down one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve been to - the water was crystal clear, but when you looked across the lake, you just saw a gradient of multiple shades of blues.
Then closing the evening off in Forks. Had to get some photos with Ella, Jacob and Edward of course.
Last stop of the evening- Forks. It was tough to find good acommodations a week before, but I am so fortunate I stumbled upon Woodland Inns. I am usually a sucker for Yelp reviews, but Woodlands was pretty new that they didn’t have a ton of reviews so I had missed them at first. It was the perfect stay after a long day out exploring - they were each themed cabins that were impeccably clean, modernly- equipped and extremely cozy on the inside and on the outside, it felt like you were staying in a cozy little cottage but yet smelled like a newly remodeled condo. It was perfect. I’d HIGHLY recommend for anyone heading that way! And yes..Twilight HAPPENED to be on TV.
Last stop of the trip - Hoh Rainforest to get our steps in and our moss on, Ruby Beach for some leftover pizza oceanside lunch and a ddrive through Aberdeen on the way home.
