Day 109 - July 3, 2008

At the wee hours of the morning we had quite a thunder storm. We woke up to cloudy weather with a little bit of rain. We decided this would be a good day for a needed oil change on the coach. So our afternoon was spent accomplishing that goal. The weather got better so we were able to sit out in the evening and have some great boiled shrimp and camp fire. It stays light much longer here. Sunsets are usually around 9:15 pm and sunrises are around 5:00 am. Not quite as much daylight as Alaska but a pretty full day.

Day 108 - July 2, 2008

Today we traveled to Mount Ranier. What an incredibly awesome sight. This majestic 14,411' mountain is spiritual. We walked on several trails and went on a ranger guided trail of Nisqually Vista. What a fantastic day!!

Incredibly Majestic Mount Ranier

Papa and G on the Nisqually Vista Trail at Mount Rainier National Park

Christine Falls

Day 107 - July 1,2008

Today was a travel day from Port Angeles to Mossey Rock, WA. This is a very important day as we have traveled as far as we can to the NW in the contiguous 48 state and now our compass will be pointing east or south. It is with mixed emotions as we are starting our return trip as we have experienced so much of this wonderful, fabulous country of ours. I know there is much more to see but I feel this is the last time I will see the Pacific Northwest. So I bid it a fond farewell and thanks for all the glorious, wonderful sites it held.

Day 106 - June 30, 2008

Today we had a marvelous day at Mt. Olympic National Park. We did not plan to spend so much time here but we decided to make the investment in a hike up Hurricane Hill. I think you will agree that is was well worth it. Then we traveled to Cape Flattery and I will let you surmise our demise from the pictures below.

Mt. Olympic and the Carrie Glacier at slightly right. How about that?

Can you believe this - June 30th and we are hiking in the snow in shorts (corduroy OP's at that)

I felt like we were hiking in the Swiss Alps. I was moved to have Frank take this picture. Note that I am Julie Andrews (ok use your imagination) and this is - "The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Music".

This picture is for Scot Norton. In this National Park the deer are so tame they don't run from you.

WE climbed to the summit of Hurricane Hill. For Frank that was a piece of cake by for me it was quite an accomplishment - my biggest change of elevation hike (700'). Oh my gracious but was it worth it. I cannot begin to tell you how full my heart is to be able to experience this great country of ours.

See the two elongated black dots. Well hold onto your socks - those are black bear.

We travelled 60 miles to Cape Flattery (the north western most point in the contiguous US) only to find it was fogged is. So we are substituting this picture we took a few miles away as our evidence that we have traveled to the further est NW point, furtherest SW (Chula Vista), and our prior visits to Key West (SE furtherest point). Next year we hope to have a picture of the NE furtherest point in the stock market cooperates.

Day 105 - June 29, 2008

Today we traveled to Port Townsend. Our first stop was an utterly fantastic, fresh seafood lunch at the 3 crabs. I swear, the clams, scallops, prawns, crabs and fish jumped right out of the ocean and onto our steamed platter. This was absolutely incredible seafood. In case you haven't guessed by now, seafood is my favorite food. Then we went on to the charming town of Port Townsend. This was a booming town in the 1800's but unfortunately the railroad passed them by but it has been resurrected. Next stop was Fort Worden State Park. The Officer's Row houses have been restored so they are available for rent for large groups (family reunions,anniversaries, etc). This was a great stop. We were not planning to spend this much time here but it was well worth it.

Does this look familiar? Hopefully you guessed the movie "Officer and a Gentleman". This was the place of the final salute. Almost the entire film was filmed here at Ft. Worden or Port Townsend. We did a walking tour of the fort of the movie's sites and also the historical sites of the fort.

Point Wilson Lighthouse at Ft. Worden

St. Paul's Church was built in 1865, making it the oldest Episcopal church in the diocese of Olympia.

Port Townsend's charm stems from its impressive collection of Victorian-era architecture. The entire central portion is a historic district with homes sporting turrets, pergolas, towns, gingerbread trim and Carpenter Gothic details.

Day 104 - June 28, 2008

Today was a mini travel day from Pacific Beach, WA to Port Angeles, WA. The campground is right across from the ocean or should I say the Juan de Fuca Strait. We can look right across the 18 miles strait and see Victoria, Canada. In fact, our cell phones don't work as we are too close to Canada. Frank really enjoys watching the ship traffic going up and down the strait. As you recall he was in a transportation reserve unit so shipping is near and hear to his heart. We actually saw a Jacque Custeau research ship going up the strait. The guy here at the campground said they are studying squid as the world's largest squid are here. As you can tell we did not have any wifi either so our blog postings are a little behind. Also, we had another kick back day on the beach. Wow, we lead a tough life (ha, ha).

Beach right across from our campground. Can you believe it - some people actually go in this 40 - 50 degree water?

Papa flying our kite we bought at Seaside, Oregon

Pacific sunset from our campground

Day 103 - June 27, 2008

Today was a kick back day. We took a real long walk on the beach and then drove the car to the beach for some more R & R with our books and beverages. The weather today was really great - not too windy and not as cold. In the evening we drove down to Ocean Shores and went to the casino. We had a great seafood buffet and I tried my hand at $10 worth of slots but that was like buying tickets to the lottery - a lost cause. I still had part of my Mother's Day money from Amy so I thought that would bring me extra luck. I had decided that if I hit it big I would split the winnings with Amy. Oh well, Amy keep your day job!