Tonelli's Travels

We departed North Cascades and headed to the coast. Our destination for the night was Fidalgo Bay. As we pulled into the campground, the salty smell of the sea welcomed us. It’s been a while since I’ve seen the ocean and walked in the salt water. 

We spent the afternoon completing chores – laundry, propane, making beds. It was going to be a short stay, so I made sure to walk on the pebbly beach after dinner. I gathered a collection of treasures – shells, rocks, odds and ends. I’m not sure what I’ll do with all the items I’ve collected, but I sure have fun doing it!

That later evening I sat on the patio, watching the most spectacular sunset. A few seals swam around, poking their heads up every now and then to see what was going on. A large heron flew in and startled me with its squawk! It was a pretty lovely evening. 

The next morning we set off quickly for the drive to Coupeville, where we would catch the ferry to Port Townsend. We arrived very early, well before our reservation. We were placed in the standby lanes and wouldn’t you know, my parents made it on but I did not. The ferry was full with the car right before me. Ugh! So I waited around for the next one, took a short walk. When Sunny and I did board, it was a fun new adventure. I enjoyed standing on the deck, wind in my face, blue all around.

Once on dry land again, we reunited with my parents and took off for Olympic National Park. We were able to claim a first come first serve camping spot in Heart O’the Hills, which is always a bit nerve racking for me. But luckily there were plenty of sites, although none of them very level. The campground lived up to its hilly name!

Before dinner, we headed farther into the park to experience Hurricane Ridge as we were only here for one night.  Sunny and I navigated the windy, climbing path many miles into the heart of the park. The three of us then started the climb on our feet up Hurricane Hill. It was labeled as a 1.6 mile paved path which made it sound easy, but easy it was not! The hill was a steady climb up along the edge of the mountain and then across switchbacks. The views were tremendous, green mountains in every direction. Thank goodness for that, or I might have turned around!

My parents decided to pause about two-thirds of the way up as I continued to the summit. I hiked fast, spurred on by a sudden need to release some energy or process some feelings. Whatever it was, I was rewarded with a view of Port Angeles and San Juan Fuca Straight to one side and Mount Olympus and multitudes of other peaks on the other side. Those views never grow old for me. 

The walk down was much easier, less sweaty, and I stopped to admire the wildflowers. The immensity of the wilderness was powerful here. So much undeveloped land. So much beauty.

My first experience in Olympic National Park was a good one and I was ready to rest up and see more!  On the Sol Duc the next day.