When I made the loop through the Olympic Peninsula back in 2014, the one thought I kept repeating in my head consistently was, “My brother Don would LOVE this place!” We have always shared a similar love for the “beauty in the pathless woods” and the serenity of a “lonely shore.”
So although I had not planned on making the loop any further west than Port Townsend this year, once he decided to join me, I could not miss the opportunity to show him some of my favorite stops from my 2014 tour. Here are just a few photos of the whirlwind tour looping back around the OP…
“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes,
By the deep Sea, and music in its roar:
I love not Man the less, but Nature more”
~Lord Byron
Sunrise on the point of Point Hudson Marina.
What’s left of the Talking Moon Imperial Porter, abv 8.9%
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Hurricane Ridge, Olympic National Park
Heart o’ the Hills Campground, Olympic National Park
Jardin du Soleil Lavender Farm, Sequim, WA.
Dungeness Spit, Sequim, WA.
New Dungeness Lighthouse
Dungeness Spit, Sequim, WA
Lake Crescent, glacially carved lake in Olympic National Park.
Marymere Falls, 90 ft waterfall near Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park.
A massive landslide isolated Lake Crescent from Lake Sutherland approximately 7,000 years ago, resulting in genetic isolation of unique species, Beardslee Trout.
As seen in the OPNP Lake Crescent Lodge. Better than plastic, I suppose, but still not as good as refillable personal bottles.
Ferry from Port Townsend to Coupville, Whidbey Island, WA.
Don’s new solar panels look way too clean, doncha think?
Looking out from the ferry toward the Point Hudson Marina, my home away from home for the past two weeks.
Arriving in Anacortes to find much to our surprise, it’s “Oyster Run” weekend, with between an estimated 10,000+ motorcycles in town!
Cap Sante’ Marina, Anacortes, dry camping for $20 per night.
Overlooking Cap Sante’ Marina from the Cap Sante’ trail.
View of Mt Baker while waiting on ferry from Anacortes to Orcas Island in the San Juan Islands.
Orcas Island is shaped like a horseshoe. In the middle is cute, quaint little town of Eastsound.
Atop Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island is a stone observation tower, built by the CCC in 1936. I love these old medieval doors..(too bad some A-hole felt the need to autograph the door facing)
Buck Bay Shellfish Farms, Orcas Island.
It doesn’t get any fresher than “U-shuck!”
Ferry ride back to Anacortes
Ferries rule! Love the freedom.
Virtual hugs,
Judie < — note to Suzanne – unchecking box for test purposes
Perhaps my favorite quote of all times. Thanks for it! Love that you are touring around with your brother in nearly identical RVs. What fun for you both. Great pictures! Making a note of marina camping. Thanks for that too.
Thats a lot of bikes and that beer is strong too.
What gorgeous photos. You lucky birthday girl! Enjoy your day.
Amazing photos, Suzanne. What fun to share all this with your brother. It definitely does look like a whirlwind tour! We have yet to do the entire OP loop, having been as far as Anacortez, the islands on the ferries, and Crescent Lake, but someday I really do hope to go all the way around to Long Beach.
Thanks for taking us along on your Speed Tour. The photos show off some highlights beautifully. Your 2014 blogs a great resource for anyone planning a trip.
Looks like you showed Don all of the OP highlights and more. Nice photos!
We absolutely loved that area when we visited it this summer. We had never been to the Sequim/Port Townsend area before and it quickly made it near the top of our “must visit again” places. We would do without the oysters however.
Love, love the photos!! We are heading here next summer!! I am so excited to spend a month (or more) exploring the Olympic Peninsula finally!!!
Love the pictures and the prose!! Hope your birthday was wonderful, and keep enjoying the adventure!!!
What AMAZING photos! The mountains are absolutely stunning, looks like you had a great trip!
Loved every one of your photos, especially since we had visited every place in your post. Great memories!
Absolutely LOVE the OP! So glad you got to share it with your brother. Many memories of the islands.