GH.5

Up and Over the Olympic Peninsula

2.23.23 Seattle --- Olympic Peninsula

Going around the Olympic Peninsula officially started my journey on Highway 101! I will be taking this very same road all the way down to Southern California over the next month and a half. My first stop along HWY 101 was in Port Angeles where I stayed for a few nights waiting for the road into Olympic National Park to open. The view of the peninsula from Harborview Park was stunning.

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Boats moved through the harbor while clouds danced over the mountaintops. It was a wonderful little afternoon hangout/dinner spot!

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While in Port Angeles I visited the Olympic National Park center to get my very own National Parks Pass!! Quite the deal if you ever find yourself cruising around the country and wanting to see lots of National Parks. I also loaded up on water/food to prepare for a few nights of camping at Heart O' the Hills Campground.

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After picking a spot and making some lunch I hiked the Heart O' the Forest trail (seeing a theme here?) to find a hidden stream in the forest.

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For the first time this trip the stars decided to peak out, lighting up the night sky. I was the only camper using the campground which made for a very peaceful few days. I was even able to have a fire which kept me warm while enjoying the stars:)

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The time had come to take my FWD minivan up Hurricane Ridge. This mountain road climbs 5,000 from sea level and situates you for sweeping views of the interior Olympic Mountains. Although I was a bit scared that the van wouldn't make it I set off on the 17-mile climb. It turns out that I had been worried for no reason, the roads were nicely plowed and I had no issues! The only thing that kept me white-knuckling my steering wheel was looking at the dropoffs on every turn...

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