Apr 20, 2015 Olympic National Park

April 20 Olympic National Park

Woke to a brisk 44 degrees this morning at 7 AM.  We spent some time at McDonalds, Greg did PT as we waited for the Aberdeen Library to open.   The library website said open at 9AM but when we got there, the door said 10AM.  Fortunately, we were able to get their wifi in the parking lot. Answered emails.  Per  neighbors Brad & Cheri and Danny & Donna, there was quite a big storm with large hail at home.  Brad sent video and apparently there was quite a bit of cleanup.  Some dings to Chap’s car and potentially the roof.  Emailed our insurance broker as to what to do…

Heading north to Olympic National Park, we took a short detour to Ocean Shores and their Interactive Center. 

Nice facility with lots of info about the history, geology, flora and fauna of the area.  Bought a couple of old glass sea floats that washed ashore here – they said from Japan or Korea.  Nowadays they are made of plastic.  Went to nearby Damon Point and walked the beach a bit,

then headed further north to Roosevelt Beach.   The tide was coming in there, along with a heavy fog, so we didn’t walk too long.  The fog rolls in and then clears, then fog again, a spot of clarity, etc. etc.  There was a sign forbidding clamming which apparently is very popular along this coast.

Before the fog

Left the coast to head back to Olympic National Park, beginning at Quinault Lake.  Thought we would take a scenic drive around the lake, but after talking with a beautiful bald lady ranger, we decided to head into the park , past the lake, via unpaved road to Graves Creek Campground.   Part of the road was paved, part was graded gravel with most of the potholes filled, and the last six miles was….well, they hadn’t gotten around to these potholes yet!  Beautiful tall spruce, cedar, hemlock, and lots of moss and ferns with many of the trees coated in moss and fungi. Definitely rain forest! 

We stopped earlier at a world record Spruce tree that was 58’11” in diameter. 191’ tall and estimated to be about 1,000 years old!

The campground was not officially open yet (so no fees) but there were six of us in the 25 or so sites. Nice and quiet.  Thanks to the ranger who suggested it.

We were  overlooking Graves Creek.  Greg built a good campfire which wasn’t easy because so much of the wood was damp.

Our nearest neighbor was a young guy from San Diego whose buddy cancelled at the last moment.   Excellent burgers on the grill.  There are supposed to be Roosevelt Elk in the area but we only saw tracks.

Daylight till 9 PM here and dawn arrives by 6:30AM.  Beth woke sometime during the night and went to look at the stars – first time that I can remember thinking the stars really did look like diamonds!  Brilliant, clear and scattered amongst the tree canopies.  Tried to capture with camera but really couldn’t.  Too cold to experiment for long!