A few cool pics of Seattle and surrounding areas.
Campground buddy!
Eastern Washington
We couldn’t pass up the chance to go to the historic Palace Theater in Seattle and watch Brit Floyd, a really good cover band and light show!
Kevin and I hiked several more spots along the I 90 corridor over Friday and Saturday. Here, huge Douglas Fir and Cedar trees and waterfalls were some of the most impressive in the State. With the constant rain, we drove east to Gingko Petrified Forest where it was sunny. The terrain changed to rolling hills, desert, and agriculture.
Petrified Elm and Petroglyphs
Click Here For Waterfalls Video
I left the San Juan Islands and headed south towards the northern Rainer area. I camped along I 90 at US Forest Service’s Tinkham Camp which was the first in the area to open last week. Hopefully, other camps will open this week due to the nicer early weather, the temperatures are in the 50’s with a constant light rain. Tinkham’s logged forest was once home of the giants.
This tree's roots took over an old giant's stump.
These 2 inch long slugs are everywhere taking advantage of the constant moisture.
I left the San Juan Islands and headed south towards the northern Rainer area. I camped along I 90 at US Forest Service’s Tinkham Camp which was the first in the area to open last week. Hopefully, other camps will open this week due to the nicer early weather, the temperatures are in the 50’s with a constant light rain. Tinkham’s logged forest was once home of the giants.
This tree's roots took over an old giant's stump.
These 2 inch long slugs are everywhere taking advantage of the constant moisture.
Well, by now anyone watching this blog knows blog.com’s server sucks! It’s been down more than up…..might change to another site and if so I’ll be sure to post where. Guess you get what you pay for (freebie site!). On Saturday, Kevin and I drove to the San Juan Island area and took in Deception Pass. The views were nice, but being closer to the city, all areas we visited were very crowded with people! After the islands, the weather got back to normal……rain, rain, and more rain! I’m hanging out in Gooddell campground in North Cascades National Park, but will be moving on soon.
Eastern Shooting Stars were in full bloom and sailboats were in full force on the bay.
We watched several porpoises break the surface a few hundred yards off the coast.
This bald eagle posed only for a moment as we kayaked by him on Cranberry Lake. Notice the cloud cover starting to roll in.
Kevin and I decided with the weather in our favor that we would wait on Mt. Rainer. We arrived at North Cascades on Thursday and have been traveling the streams and mountains including kayaking Diablo Lake. Typically, this area experiences the worst of weather with cold, wet and windy conditions. It was in the 80’s and clear during our stay and the campground is free until next week. There are over 300 glaciers in the area, unbelievable views!
The waterfalls are running full force with the glacier melt off and pacific rains.
The Colonial Glacer’s reflection in Diablo Lake’s blue waters seemed clearer than the mountain itself.
The sun shot off like a beacon from Davis Peak. Skagit River center and Pinnacle Peak looks as though it was chopped by the hand of God!
This old water wheel and cabin once sat on the Skagit River and supplied just enough electricity to power lights for a home.
Tuesday morning we left St Helens area and explored the Columbia River Gorge’s waterfalls. Wednesday morning, I dropped Greg off at the Portland airport for his return to Ohio flight. We had a great time!
Click Here For Waterfall Video!
From the coast we decided to go to Mt Saint Helens in honor of my Aunt Helen who passed away on May 4. We hooked up with our good friend Kevin who lives in Bellevue, Washington. He’ll be traveling off and on with me for the next few weeks. The blog server was down for a day, but seems to be back up and running.
Sequest State Park Camp
Sunday morning we broke camp after breakfast and made our way to the coast. We went through Salem and drove to Lincoln City. Ah, the rugged Pacific coast! Cape Meares lighthouse at sunset.
As we took a midnight stroll along the Cape Lookout Beach, we found this Yokahama rusted wheel. It’s sad to think of it’s origin.
After Crater Lake we headed north to Mt Bachelor which was impassable due to snow. We landed in the Sisters area and set up camp at US Forest Cold Springs site. Just before sunset, we found the coolest place with an unbelievable 360 view.
We came across about 10 of these little gems, it is a Calypso orchid or fairy slipper.
Three different views of Three Sisters Mountains.
Greg was feeling the full effect of altitude sickness as we woke Thursday morning. We left the 10,000+ feet elevation of Lassen Volcano and coasted over 25 miles downhill to about 1000 feet. After breakfast, the sickness was gone. We arrived at J F Kimble State Park just afternoon and found the most beautiful aqua lagoon near the Wood River to kayak. Again, the whole place to ourselves with Mt. Scott and Crater Lake National Park as our view.
On Friday morning we woke to a good camp breakfast then headed just a few miles to Crater Lake National Park. The one word we agreed to best describe the lake was “pristine.” It is the deepest lake in North America with a depth over 1900 feet!
Click here for Crater Lake Video
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My Quest Out West 