Continuing my journey, now wandering through Washington State, I find myself on the edge of Olympic National Park. This is not an easy park to get to, tucked away on the west coast of the Washington, in the upper northwest which is more commonly known as the “Peninsula”. You can fly into Seattle, Tacoma, possibly even Portland, Oregon, to the south, but any way you do it, you are going to have a drive. Thankfully, the drive is through some amazingly beautiful country!!
I started my visit into the Park from the west. It is the Deer Park Road entrance, and it takes you to the top of this mountain, to a series of campsites clinging to the top in the clouds.This is what I mean by “in the clouds”!! It really is a blast.
Yes . . . it is mid July . . . but there is still piled up on the slopes.
The view from the top is spectacular . . . if and when the clouds finally clear off! LOLI found this grogeous fellow hiding (and chowing down!) on the edge of the road on the way up!I found this young lady on the way down the mountain. She almost became a hood ornament, bounding out in front of me. I missed her by inches. She then stopped and looked at me as if she had never seen a human in a car before . . . and with as large as the forested part of this park is, she may not have! Please drive these roads safely!Speaking of the road . . . if this sign does not worry you, it really should!! The Park Service has really understated the fear factor of this road!!This is a good section of the road!! It is a mix of hard dirt and gravel, soft dirt and gravel and mush! It varies from about maybe two cars wide to barely one car wide. It does not help that the clouds are always wet, maybe not raining, but wet enough to cause a constant drizzle, soaking everything.There are pullouts, usually after most of the blind corners. I believe they are there so you can get your ass to let go of the seat cushions!! I talk to my car, especially when we are climbing up these roads . . . and my car was calling me all kinds of names on the way down this mountain!! LOL It did not help when the big arse truck with extended side mirrors came charging up the grade like he owned the place!!Even the brambles on the mountains are beautiful!!Mountain Lupines in the morning dew.The Lupines grow everywhere on the upper slopes.Harsh Indian Paintbrush loves the wet morning.Beautiful Larkspurs grow in clusters along the roadways.Broad-Leafed Stonecrop.Once you come down off the mountain, and then drive to the Park entrance on the south side, you will find yourself in a primordial wonderland! A forest of greens and more greens, with giant ferns and everything coated in a layer of moss.This is a region prowled by elk, mountain lions and black bears. The issue is that the forest is so dense, seeing them before they see you is going to be very difficult . . . so be cautious at all times!The Park has a few ponds, like this one, that are incredibly beautiful.The streams only serve to reflect the green of everything growing, making the world just that mush greener.Giant ferns laed to giant trees. It is hard to tell just where the forest floor is below this sea of green.Any forest opening is filled with giant ferns reaching towards the sunlight!
The primordial rainforest in Olympic National Park should be a must-see for everyone. Please add it to your list . . . and who knows . . . maybe you will see Bigfoot . . . this is his home range!!! I BELIEVE!!! LOL
What the Walrus said . . . 