A Hike In The Olympic Mountains: Heaven On Earth
Another week has passed and, although crime still marches on, everyone deserves a break once in a while. So it’s time for us to sign 10-7 ( out of service), pack the car, and head out of town for a little R&R. Our Weekend Road Trip this week takes us to Washington state in the Olympic Mountains overlooking the San Juan Islands. Take a deep breath. The hours-long hike up and over to the water is not for the weak. Enjoy the view.
Western hemlock trees are abundant along the coastline. Able to grow to heights over 100 feet, some western hemlocks have been known to live 1,200 years and beyond.
It was an exhausting trek through dense brush, but definitely worth the effort.
The waters just off the coast are the playground to orcas. And, interestingly, the islands, unlike nearby Seattle, get sunshine around 250 days a year.
After an hour of exploring and wildlife-watching, it was time to start the long arduous climb back. Seeing a couple of bald eagles soaring above, though, was a nice end to a great day.
Great pics! I’ll be spending some time in the Seattle area soon for medical treatment on my son, so maybe we’ll take a day when he’s relatively healthy and go explore the Olympics. 🙂
You two were in my part of the world! Glad you had a chance to breathe in the beauty. It looks like you had a gorgeous hikeabout!
Been there, done that. Totally agree. Have a good weekend.
Terry
Terry’s Place
What a beautiful place. Maybe I’ll get there one day. For now thanks for sharing the pictures.
Lee — thanks for these gorgeous & soothing pix.
I’m so jealous…
but your pictures are worth a thousand words and if I
don’t get to heaven, I’ll remember what you shared.
Happy hiking!
Thanks for the beautiful pictures, Lee. They are a balm on the spirit. I was fortunate enough to visit the Olympic peninsula several years ago and remember it fondly. After seeing your pictures I realize I should go back.
No, Elizabeth, we haven’t moved. Believe it or not, we have managed to stay in the same place for over 2 years.
My wife and I hike the Olympic Peninsula trails as much as we can, mostly near the beaches, but we’ve ventured into the mountains. We have around 20 GB of pictures we’ve taken out there. I chose the outer Peninsula for the setting of my second novel, On the Pineapple Express, coming out later this year. It’s beautiful in nice weather, but can be deadly in bad weather. It’s a great place for scenic thrills … or to set a thriller.
My brother lives in Seattle, and a few years ago, we spent a weekend sailing the San Juans. Words fail me, then and now.
Did you guys move again and not tell us? How did you make a weekend road trip to Washington? Are you and D astral projecting?
I spent my youth hiking the Olympic mountains, and I am never far away from them.
It’s magical that’s for sure. I’ve heard an atheist remark it’s really hard not to believe in God while hiking around the Olympics.
On the rain forest side, it’s flat out enchanted. A hiker gets rained on and loves every minute of it.