seattle: part 5

after a quick breakfast and coffee the next morning we were off.

 

we re-entered the national park using the timer feature on our camera to get a pic

 



 it's crazy how you can spend a day hiking in the mountains, the next on the beach,

and then be in the rainforest all within a few hours drive.

 this is probably why olympic landed itself at the top of our national park list.
 

this day consisted of hiking in the hoh rainforest.

the trailhead for this hike was actually miles off the main road and took us many turns down a windy, gravel road. it took hours to get here, but thankfully the rental made it.



the forest opened up to a river and valley that looked very similar to something you'd see in the
rocky mountains.  we took the time to enjoy the view.  

 

 yes, i am quite brave. the water on the other side of this slippery log is at least three feet deep.

 

 

kyle showing me how to shotput.

 

almost back to the beginning of the trailhead.

 we camped here tonight, but had a run-in with a rock before getting here. 

the rock was stuck in the metal turning parts of the wheel (i don't know the specific terms)
but basically we had to take everything out of the trunk to get to the jack
so we could take the wheel off and remove that pesky rock.
i tell you this because we think it is the moment we were joined by a friend.

 



 

it was pitch black as we set up camp. as we unloaded the car in darkness, kyle thought he saw something move.  but of course when you are using flashlights it can be difficult to be sure.
i laughed. then thought i saw something myself but couldn't say anything since i'd laughed.

then just before bed i headed to the car one more time and reached in across the driver's side to get my toothbrush out of a bag sitting in the passenger seat. a lovely little creature run across my arm up the back of the chair and dove off the headrest into the backseat before scampering around for an escape to the trunk. 

a chipmunk. terrifying and very, very real.

i didn't feel so free and full of excitement on the rest of our drive.

i kept my toes curled under me as we drove.

 



this may have been my favorite beach of the trip.