Hoh and Joe!

Joe arriving fresh off a coast to coast flight

Lake Crescent

Hoh Rainforest, Olympic National Park

Teaching moment...the only one that still listens

Our cabin on the beach

We were joined by our family friend, Joe, this week and decided to make a trip to into the Olympic National Forest. We packed up the truck and drove a couple of hours to explore the absolute corner of Pacific Northwest. Our first stop was Lake Crescent, a crystal blue, 1000 ft deep, glacial-cut beauty. We were in awe of how clear the water was as we watched schools of fish swim by.  We learned that the lack of nitrogen in the water inhibits the growth of algae and provides a viewing experience that is remarkable. We then spent the afternoon in the Hoh Rainforest hiking through moss covered trails, lined with trees towering 200 ft above us. Hoh receives an average of 120 inches of rain each year, but we hit it on a dry day which provided an awesome experience of vivid color. We finished our travels in the tiny town of La Push and stayed in a equally tiny cabin just off the beach.  The mile long beach was so entertaining, lined with rows and rows of giant, petrified trees that had washed ashore; they were sculptural, as though someone artfully placed them there for our enjoyment.  At dusk, dozens of campers, tucked within the sandy openings of the beached trees, lit their small, private campfires. It was a really beautiful sight and turned out to be really fun as we sat by a late night fire and visited with folks who invited us to share in their festivities of smores and fireworks.  Awesome trip, great to have Joe with us!