Olympic National Park

In May of 2022, my mom and I drove from Portland up the Olympic Peninsula to stay at Lake Crescent on the North side of the park. In the misty gray days of late spring, we journeyed up the coast to see the iconic shores of Ruby Beach and Rialt0 Beach. On each beach, the towering sea stacks faded off into the waters of the Pacific, encouraging your eye to be drawn from one shape to the next. Within the coves and crags of the rocky seashore, we delighted in picking up gnarled driftwood that had been tumbled smooth by the tides. Our eyes searched diligently for colorfully banded and dappled rocks to show one another as the damp weather soaked us down to our socks.

We stayed on Lake Crescent in a small A-frame, where just outside, the brilliantly teal waters shone beneath the surrounding mountains. We met the neighboring goose families as we wandered to find wildflowers cropping up along the water’s edge.

Our hike took us through the quiet forest to the roaring Sol Duc Falls. From there, the climb up to Deer Lake tested our stamina, and we snacked on Cheetos and PB&Js in the wet moss beds along the way.

Lastly, Hurricane Ridge proved to be as stunning as ever, standing tall above the billowing bright clouds.

I hope to go back. Soon enough.