Beach at La Push, Washington

We spent three awesome days on the Washington coast. Winter sunshine is a rare commodity on the coast, but we lucked out. Temperatures were below freezing. Each morning the beach rocks and driftwood had a frosty coating. We just bundled up and headed out, exploring Oil City and the Hoh Rainforest in the Olympic National Park. We stayed in La Push at the very comfy Quileute Oceanside Resort. It was good to see how the small, remote communities of Forks and La Push have thrived with the attention from Twilight fans. Winter is definitely not peak season, but many folks were around because of the holidays.

It’s always humbling to be around big nature: the ocean, huge trees, waves, rocks and rivers. I highly recommend a wintertime visit, just don’t forget your woolies.

View through a huge spruce drift log root ball.

Hoh River, Oil City trail to beach, Olympic National Park

Witches Butter, a colorful fungus growing on driftwood

Oil City an amazing driftwood beach

Hoh River, Olympic National Park

Hoh Rain Forest moss in the sun!

Today was a beautiful day for a top-down drive to the Olympic Peninsula and up to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park. It was so clear we could see Victoria B.C. across the Strait.  The elevation at the Visitor Center is about 5200 ft, but feels much higher as you look out along mountain ridge tops. We bought a year park pass ($30) and look forward to exploring more of this amazing park. It’s a national treasure.