We spent three interesting days on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington, as we camped near Port Angeles. We were fortunate to have a clear highway to the top of Hurricane Ridge overlooking the Olympic Mountain range. The day after we were there, it snowed again in the mountains which probably would not have allowed the dually truck to make the trip. Although it was cold and windy at the top, the views of the snow-capped mountains made it all worthwhile. After we came back from the mountain we took a road trip to Sequim (pronounced "Skwim") and Port Townsend. Highlights of that area were mostly the bays and harbors surrounding the towns. When we stopped at a state park near Sequim, we encountered a lady who inquired if John and Jim were twins. We don't know if she had a sight problem, or some other problem, but we attributed her miscalculation to the fact they were both wearing same blue HitchHiker shirts and had bald heads. I guess they should have gotten out of the truck. That might have changed her mind. Port Townsend is noted for it's historical preservation. In fact, it is one of only three towns in the nation where the entire community is on the National Register of Historic Places. We could easily see why when we looked at the downtown area and all of the beautifully restored or well-preserved buildings. A self-guided driving tour took us by many Victorian houses that also had been fully restored. Many of them were originally built and occupied by seafarers or people involved in the timber industry. To this day the timber industry and seaport still remain the most important economic factor in the area. 
The following day, we drove to the HOH Rain Forest which is also part of Olympic National Park. The day was mostly clear but cool, however, before we were through with our hike in the park, it lived up to it's rain forest designation as it did begin to rain. It's our understanding the HOH Rain Forest receives more rain annually than anywhere else in the Continental United States. It's easy to believe by observing the lush carpet of green and moss hanging from and growing on all of the trees. The most notable trees growing in the forest are Sitka Spruce and Douglas Fir. Both are extremely old and very large, growing as high as 270' with a diameter up to 12 1/2'. It was interesting to learn that even the fallen trees help to continue the reforestation of the rain forest by providing a base from which new trees grow. We then drove South along the Pacific Coast and had lunch overlooking the ocean at Ruby Beach. It was a little cold and windy but that was over-shadowed by the magnificient view. The other highlight of the coastal trip was the "The Big Cedar Tree" which you can see if you check out the OR/WA pictures on the blog.
We then returned to Port Angeles and spent time at the port observing various activities including two tugboats moving a large ship, stacked high with logs, from the pier and turning it to open water so it could begin it's journey to wherever. We were fascinated with all of the activity since it's not the kind of thing you see every day in Central Kansas or Downstate Illinois.
We ended our day with a stop at "The Crab House" in Port Angeles for supper. The meal was excellent and the company was "different" to say the least. We found ourselves in the midst of a convention, that to us, seemed very unconventional. Imagine, if you will, a 6'6", well-proportioned blonde with spiked heels and a masculine voice. The convention was billed as "Esprit". Enough said!
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