Monday, September 16th.
Hi Everyone!!! (Marjie writing this time)
We are at the library in Fork, WA.
It is absolutely beautiful up here - no matter where you go, or what you see. We just left our camp in the National Forest, at a hot springs developed back in the 1900's by a lumber barron. Called the Sol Duc (sole duck) hot springs resort. Let me tell you, they use the term resort very loosely aroung these parts. I got Ron into the "healing waters" ... he looked around at the floating bodies and commented "Malibu it ain't!" Needless to say, I had to shush him up, that man!
Note from Ron (BEACHED WHALE ALERT !!!!!!) :}
We finally got some rain yesterday. The locals say this is the best summer ever. Seems perfect to us. Last night we "discovered" an absolutely nirvana after 4 days camping. Just outside of Fork is La Push. It is a small marina town ... village? ... the road ends at the marina, and on the beautiful small bay are brand new "cabins". We are only the 4th people to stay in the cabin. Jacuzzi tub by the fireplace. 180* view of the ocean. Beach about 20 steps from our deck. Dishwasher. King size bed. Beautifuly decorated in slate floors, forest greens. Wine, cheese ... hot showers ... we are in heaven. So, we're staying another night! Some rough camping, huh? When I woke up this morning I could hear the waves breaking, the birds where chattering, the rain was dripping from the pine trees outside our cabin ... a distant fog horn was still sounding ... I realized this is just like the "nature" tapes I buy to fall asleep to, only here it is REAL!
Note from practical Ron ----all this for $80 / night :) BTW: end the beached whale alert !!!!
We saw our first eagle yesterday. It was feeding on the beach with a bunch of gulls. As we backed up the truck to get a good look, it took off in flight. Spectacular!!! We were close enough to see the golden color of it's claws. We hiked down the beach in the direction it flew, and finally spotted it in a tree a way off. It was definately keeping an eye on us, so we decided to leave it in peace. Probably pissed it off, disturbing it's meal (note from realist Ron - meal = something DEAD I mean real dead).
Tomorrow we head for the rain forest in the center of the penninsula. Hopefully the clouds will clear and we will be able to see the glacier covered peaks.
Marjie & Ron