Olympic National Park & Oregon Coast

Just prior to our departure from Sequim, WA the neighbors once again delivered, this time with a 6 cup container (that's huge) of just picked raspberries, yum!  We then zoomed off to the rainforest of Olympic National Park, Quinault Rain Forest.  This was a really unique area and not to be missed.  After arrival we explored and did a little hike through the rainforest, it was green and beautiful.  We secured a really cool pine forest campsite and walked to get dinner at the Lake Quinault Lodge.  Awesome meal, I had Salmon on a plank with caramelized apple and Walla Walla onion on top.  

Like all good Junior Rangers the kids worked on earning their third National Park badges and succeeded.  Took a few more pics then off to the Oregon coast!

Crater Lake

Along the way we checked out Seaside, OR, stuck our feet in the sand and waves then found the last remaining site at Cape Lookout State Park, Tillamook, OR.  Gorgeous beach and incredible sunset at this park!  The next big stop was Crater Lake National Park, OR.  A massive volcano that erupted eons ago and is now an incredible blue lake strictly fed by melting snow (which of course is still up there melting).  It was a sight to see.  I must say the National Parks are sure not to disappoint and are very accessible.  Although, the road up to Crater Lake in the RV was so far the scariest!  Very steep, windy, NO shoulder on the road and cliff like drop offs.  In the RV you get a much better view of everything since you essentially riding in a truck and much higher than a car.  Yikes!

We entered California and stayed at Patrick's Point State Park, Trinidad, CA.  California struggles with budget cuts and of course the parks have taken a hit.  This was interesting...the campsite was by far the homeliest.  It was steep and surrounded by briars which the back end and sides of the camper were jammed against.  Normally, this park is a premier destination because of the expansive beach.  However, there was a recent mudslide which closed all access to beach below (a cliff).  We got to see the incredible view of the incredible beach but we couldn't touch it.  It was cold anyway!
 
Blasted out of there in the morning and headed for a hike in Redwood National Park.  We talked to a park Ranger to find out where we could park the 31foot beast RV and he sent us to a great hiking sport, called Trillium Falls Trail.  This was the perfect hike for us and we were the only ones there, gorgeous redwoods, quiet and a great little waterfall.  Highly recommend it.


So we travel on...we grabbed another campsite, called Pomo RV, and headed down to visit Mendocino.  Big surprise, foggy and cold, but a big relief from the heat wave the rest of the US is experiencing.  This place was great, some cute shops, good food and artsy.  We ate at Mendo Burgers, a funky hole in the wall that had the best french fries I have ever had!   


Now we are drifting away from the coast, yeah, another stomach turning ride, good God!  Can't they make the roads straighter??!!!  With the fog in our rear view mirror I had to rub my eyes twice to see if I was dreaming or had I just driven into heaven????  OMG, the camera was ablaze, it was wine country!!!  Jeff said, put the camera down, you might see a couple more wineries as we go...understatement of the year.  


We found a gem of a state park, Hendy Woods State Park, Philo, CA.  Incredible campsite in Redwoods!  We did a little morning hike and headed out to visit a winery!  YAY!  Scharffenberger Cellars was charming and had a nice tasting selection.  Three bottles later (purchased, not drunk) we headed out, sadly.  

More to come!