Post #3 of 4 ~ Summer 2024 ~ Idaho Off Roading & the Pacific Northwest

On the way to The San Juan Islands

From fires to fog….

It’s much cooler now that we’ve actually made it to the Pacific Northwest.

The fog is continually moving in or out. Be careful what you wish for. We wanted cooler temperatures, but with that comes little or no visibility when near the waterways.

Harvest Host

This was the first Harvest Host for Maxine. It was a nice “free” spot near Anacortes and the ferries to San Juan Island. They were gracious hosts with room for multiple rigs in their back lot.

We weren’t scheduled to meet up with Pete and Darcy until next week in Port Townsend, but what do you know? They were staying just 5 minutes away in La Conner so they met us for dinner at the restaurant.

We thought we had a great shady spot, but our rig was quickly covered in purple bird droppings.

Just about an hour cruise from Anacortes to Friday Harbor on San Juan Island.

The ferry to San Juan Island

It’s amazing how many vehicles these boats hold. From bicycles to semi trucks.

Friday Harbor is a busy tourist hub, but drive just few blocks and you’re out of town.We were amazed at how large the island is and how many large farms and ranches still exist. Most are multigenerational. The locals we spoke to have been here their entire lives and never leave.

Victoria Island across the water. Canada!

Not my photo, but it maybe it could have been if we were patient enough to sit around and wait! Others were so patient.

They log all of the sightings. So many days with nothing…. But the whale watcher tours are out every day.

An original homestead house on the west side of the island

The south end of the island was the American camp. The north end had the English camp. There was a war that started with a pig. (??)
Obviously, we eventually won.

Roche Harbor Resort

We quite by accident discovered the most crowded tourist trap on the island. This place was obviously the most popular town/resort. Wow!

We (I) did get some good smoked salmon here down on the dock.

Leaving San Juan

Back in line for the ferry off the island.

We spent one night in La Conner… nice little campground and marina, but what’s up with the banging of the Indian drums? All night long……

…. Seattle

We drove our little rig right into downtown. We were brave, hoping to find parking. It was Sunday morning so the odds were good.

Scored public parking one block away from the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Site.

Mt. Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier, also known as Tahoma, is a large active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest. The mountain is located in Mount Rainier National Park about 59 miles (95 km) south-southeast of Seattle. With a summit elevation of 14,411 ft, it is the highest mountain in the state of Washington, the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States, and the tallest in the Cascade Volcanic Arc.

Due to its high probability of an eruption in the near future and proximity to a densely populated region, Mount Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world.

That’s Mt Rainier right there…. It’s just covered with clouds.

It was hazy but the mountain peaks were beautiful.

We drove up to Paradise and the visitor center. We made multiple loops around the parking lots and found absolutely no parking. It was crazy busy with timed registration required prior to 3:00. We came right at three and no one was leaving. Oh well…

We went down to the Longmire visitor center and got there at 5:01. They closed at 5. You’d think they’d at least let me stamp my book. Nope. I was politely ignored.

But wait!! The clouds parted and there’s the mighty Mt. Rainier!

This tree cutting was even more interesting. It was over 6 feet in diameter and check out the tree rings. They don’t grow like this anymore.

Morton Logging

Wow! This is the most cut wood we have ever seen.

Mt. Saint Helen

We were this close, so we decided to drive the extra miles and see Mt. Saint Helen. There’s very little left of the original devastation from 1980 when it erupted. It’s still really interesting to see the tree regrowth management.

The museum has videos of the original explosion. Wow.

Mount St. Helens volcano exploded in a cataclysmic event on May 18, 1980, killing 57 people and dramatically altering the landscape. Then, in 2023, leftover debris from the 1980 eruption flowed down a creek and destroyed a bridge on the only road in to the observatory May 18, 2023

This area is all about the trees. New growth, harvesting older growth, replant and do it again.

Best induction cooker ever. I love this thing! And I appreciate our 2000 watt inverter.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge, quite a history

Yikes!!

Port Townsend

Awwwww. We finally made it to our beach front property for three days.

Lotti and Bailey (Pete and David) catching up

Our RV Park on the water. Highly recommended. Pete and Darcy have been here 8 out of the last 12 years.

Hmmmmmm. Santa Fe, New Mexico? Sailboats?

Tourists…… checking out the local forts. There’s lots of history here.

Forts Casey, Flagler and Worden were military bases known as the “Triangle of Fire” in the late 1800s and early 1900s when they were built to guard the entrance to Puget Sound against a naval invasion.

Historic Shore Defences

Ferry to Ebey’s Landing (almost)

Looking a couple of miles across the inlet we could see historical Ebey’s Landing National Historic Site. The ferry was only $17.00 so we decided to take the trip and get the stamp. Yes!

No…. Turns out we caught the only open reservation at 6:30 am, crossed over to almost the shore and went in circles in the fog. We ended up returning back to Port Townsend. No stamp for my book, so I made my own.

Back in town, the locals have the right of way.

Port Gamble

Olympic National Park ~ Hurricane Ridge

At Olympic, forest, coastal, and mountain ecosystems combine to create a spectacular wilderness park. Designated as both a World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations, the park serves as a living laboratory for scientists and students, as well as an incredible natural playground for visitors. Millions of people visit Olympic each year to experience its beauty, diversity, and many opportunities for adventure, exploration, and recreation.

Lucky find, a camp spot in the Hurricane Ridge section of the park, first come, first serve

Olympic National Park on the Coast

Olympic National Park Hoh Rain Forest

We’re just about done with the beautiful and diverse state of Washington. We feel like we’ve REALLY seen it! We’ll be at this nice little KOA campground in Bay Center Washington for two nights. Time to do laundry and clean the rig.

We’ve been gone now for an entire month. We’ve turned south and will be in Astoria, Oregon next and should make it home by the first of September as planned.

And just because they’re amazing, Dalia’s!

These were all from one garden in the little town of Port Gamble, Washington. Ahhhhh. Makes me want to go home and plant flowers. Do Dalias thrive in the desert? I doubt it.