Touring Olympic National Park in Washington

From Seattle, we made our way south, west, and back north along the Puget Sound to Olympic National Park.  Since we did not leave too early, we arrived on the west side of the Sound around lunchtime and relied on our go-to phone app, yelp, for a place to eat.  Being adventurous, we opted for Pho T & N, a Vietnamese restaurant with wonderful reviews.  We ordered two suggested menu items, the vegetarian pho and the short ribs, shrimp and rice.  They were tasty, and we received huge portion sizes, but we were out of our element in the restaurant. We had to ask what to do with all the sides!  Colin talked to the manager for a bit and learned about the Vietnamese traditions of adding fresh ingredients to the pho (soup dish) just before eating.  By this time we had eaten most of the ribs/shrimp/rice since the soup had been too hot.  We ended up taking most of the pho with us and wished we had done the reverse.  We ended up eating the pho for another day and a half and by that time the powerful smell was getting repulsive.

Vietnamese short ribs, shrimp, rice, salad, and veggie roll

Traditional Vegetarian Pho

As we made our way to Olympic National Park, we drove off the main road in Sequim, WA to see the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge.  We wanted to explore the park and get on the sand peninsula, but didn't have cash for the park entrance fee.  There was a park volunteer stationed at the entrance to the path, and we tried to get change for a $20. Not being able to see what the park offered, we were not willing to pay that much at the entrance, but probably would have donated it if our experience was enjoyable.  

From the recreation area road, we were able to see Victoria, BC across the water and enjoy another glorious day.

Beyond the ship is Victoria, British Columbia

Our next stop was the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center in Olympic National Park.  On the drive up the mountain, we has some wonderful views to the Dungeness Peninsula, the town of Sequim, and a better view of Vancouver Island in British Columbia.  We were also approached by some wildlife, who wanted to get a tad bit too close for my comfort!  

Looking down on Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge

Bambi and her calf seemed too comfortable near the cars and people

View from Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park

Enjoying a short, 1 mile (ish) hike at Hurricane Ridge

Since it was the Friday of Labor Day weekend, we assumed it would be difficult to find lodging closer to Seattle, so we continued farther into the park to try and camp on the western edge.  Unfortunately, there were no airbnb rentals, and non-camping lodging was sparse.  I would have loved to camp at the Sol Duc Hot Springs, not far from Hurricane Ridge, but we were warned that the popular campground would likely be full.  It would have been too far out of our way if we did not find a site, and our drive the next day would have been very long.  Thankfully, we managed to get one of the last 4 campsites available in Hoh Rain Forest.  Our backup plan would have been to pull of on the side of a National Forest Service Road to sleep.  We found out that was allowed at one of the park visitor centers.

As we passed Forks, WA, I was tempted to drive into town to see where the Twilight Series was based, but I know Colin would not have enjoyed the detour.  In addition, the sun was getting very low in the sky and we were nervous about arriving too late at the campground.  I did manage to see some stores with posters of the cast along the main road.  

During our drive into the Hoh Rain Forest, we very briefly saw an Elk as it made its way across the road and into the woods.  I didn't even have time to grab my camera!

Our dinner spot on Lake Crescent as we make our 

way across the northern portion of Olympic National Park

The river adjacent to the campground in the Hoh Rain Forest

Our campsite at the Hoh Rain Forest Campground

We arrived at the campsite around 10pm and decided it wasn't worth setting up the tent, so we inflated the air mattress in the back of the Subaru and slept in the car. The queen mattress was a little big for the SUV, so we couldn't inflate it all the way, but it still served the purpose.  It's not like I can sleep in a tent anyway!  I bet a full size mattress would have fit.

Just like in the Redwoods and Crater Lake, it got very cold overnight.  Our experience at the Hoh Rain Forest was similar to the Redwoods because everything was also very damp in the morning.  We tried going for a 3 mile hike to warm up, but that didn't work so well. The best way I warmed up was to blast the hot air on my hands and feet and get the seat warmer going in the car!

Vivid greens in the rain forest

The 3 mile hiking trail at the Hoh Rain Forest

I would have more thoroughly enjoyed 

the beautiful views if I wasn't so cold!

By 9am, we were warmed up (thank you Subaru Forester!) and back on Highway 101 heading south along the coast (yes, we get up VERY early when camping!).  Our next destination was the mouth of the Columbia River, where we hoped to secure another camping spot for the evening after our 3-4 hour drive.  Again, we knew it would be risky because of the holiday weekend, but we took our chances and drove without having a reservation anywhere in the area.  Unfortunately, none of the campgrounds accepted reservations anyway.

Stopping at a beach near Kalaloch to stretch and enjoy the view

A slight detour around Lake Quinault

We made just the two stops along Highway 101 in Olympic National Park Saturday morning to experience all the beauty the diversity within the park has to offer.  It was impressive to see the snow-capped peaks of the tallest mountains at Hurricane Ridge, and then experience a rain forest on the western side of the park.  If you haven't already noticed, we are also drawn to the water.  We can't get enough of beaches and lakes.

Stay tuned for the last two posts about the trip to the Pacific Northwest.  If you are a Goonies fan, you'll definitely want to read the next one!

What should we have ordered from a Vietnamese Restaurant?  Or did we made the best decision?

Was there anything we missed in Olympic National Park that you've experienced?